Sosa hits 586th homer, ties for 5th
BALTIMORE, July 26 (UPI) -- Baltimore Orioles outfielder Sammy Sosa hit his 586th career home run Tuesday, tying former Oriole Frank Robinson for fifth on the all-time list.
Sosa, a designated hitter against the Texas Rangers, hit a 1-0 pitch from Kenny Rogers into the bullpen in left-center field.
It was only the 12th homer of the year for Sosa, who is batting just .235 and has been plagued by injuries. He had hit safely in eight straight games until an 0-for-3 performance Monday.
Sosa, 36, passed Mark McGwire on the all-time list July 18th with his 584th homer. In 1998, he and McGwire chased Roger Maris' single-season home run record of 61. Sosa finished with 66 while McGwire had 70. Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001.
Willie Mays is fourth on the career homers list with 660.
Sosa was on the disabled list May 5-24 with an infection in the bottom of his left foot.
Alexander has one-year deal with Seattle
KIRKLAND, Wash., July 26 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks All-Pro running back Shaun Alexander has accepted a one-year contract, which will allow him to report when training camp begins Friday.
The Seattle Times reported that Alexander, who was designated the team's franchise player earlier in the off-season, signed the $6.32 million contract Tuesday afternoon.
There had been speculation that Alexander was planning on holding out from training camp in order to receive more money through a long-term deal.
The paper reported the contract contains a clause that says Alexander cannot be traded without his approval and his salary is guaranteed, regardless of injury or poor performance.
Last season, Alexander led the NFL with 20 touchdowns and the NFC with 1,696 rushing yards. The University of Alabama star has rushed for 5,937 yards and 62 touchdowns in his NFL career while being named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last two seasons.
Denver Coach Karl to have prostate surgery
DENVER, July 26 (UPI) -- Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl reportedly will undergo surgery for prostate cancer.
The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News Tuesday both reported Karl will have surgery Thursday at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
The cancer is reported to be in the early stages. Karl has apparently known since April that he has prostate cancer.
Karl was named head coach of the Nuggets Jan. 27. He directed the team to the NBA playoffs, but they were beaten in the first round by the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs.
During his coaching career, Karl has a 740-507 record, including 32-8 with the Nuggets last season.
San Francisco signs its No. 1 pick
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 26 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers signed top draft choice Alex Smith Tuesday to a contract reportedly for six years and worth $49.5 million.
Smith, a former Utah star, was the fifth consecutive quarterback to be selected with the top overall pick and seventh in the last eight years. Eli Manning was taken by the Giants via trade with San Diego last year, while Cincinnati took Carson Palmer in 2003. The Texans drafted David Carr with the top pick in 2002 after Atlanta selected Michael Vick in 2001.
Smith, first quarterback selected by San Francisco in the first round since Jim Druckenmiller in 1997, led Utah to an undefeated season in 2004 and became the first player in school history to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Smith had the second highest pass-efficiency rating (176.52) in the nation last season, throwing for 2,952 yards and 32 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
Steelers reportedly sign top draft choice
PITTSBURGH, July 26 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly have signed their top draft choice, tight end Heath Miller, to a five-year contract worth nearly $7 million.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Web site Tuesday said Miller could earn as much as $9.4 million if he reaches certain incentives. The newspaper reported more than $4.5 million is guaranteed, with nearly $4 million of that guaranteed money coming within the first two years.
Miller was the 30th selection in the NFL draft out of the University of Virginia. He was a consensus All-American and unanimous All-ACC First-Team pick in 2004, leading the team with 41 receptions for 541 yards and five touchdowns.
In 39 games with Virginia, Miller caught 144 passes for 1,703 yards and 20 touchdowns, all ACC records for a tight end.
Cardinals move camp after virus scare
TEMPE, Ariz., July 26 (UPI) -- The Arizona Cardinals said Tuesday they are moving their 2005 training camp from Northern Arizona University because of a virus outbreak on the campus.
The Cardinals will train in Prescott, Ariz., at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University instead of NAU, which is in Flagstaff.
"Since becoming aware of the situation at NAU, we've spent a considerable amount of time in discussions with university officials, outside health professionals and our own medical personnel to determine the best course of action," said Cardinals Vice President of Football Operations Rod Graves.
The virus -- which can cause acute gastroenteritis -- has affected about 100 people and the school canceled the rest of summer conferences over the next month.
