UPI NewsTrack Sports

Bivens out as LPGA commissioner

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., July 13 (UPI) -- Carolyn Bivens resigned Monday as LPGA commissioner and was immediately replaced by retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Marsha Evans as the tour's leader.

Evans was made "acting commissioner" as the LPGA board opened a search for the full-time leader to have in place by the start of the 2010 season. Evans said she won't seek the full-time appointment.

An LPGA release said the tour was changing its leadership structure and announced the appointment of Hall of Fame player Annika Sorenstam as adviser to the board.

Several leading LPGA players had sent the LPGA board a letter asking that Bivens, who had two years left on her contract, be removed. Some players said they were unhappy that the tour had lost seven tournaments since 2007 under Bivens' watch.

"We respect Carolyn's decision to resign since she has led this organization professionally and passionately the past four years," said LPGA Board of Directors President Michelle Ellis. "We appreciate the unwavering commitment that she provided the LPGA, and during her four years, Carolyn accomplished a great deal for the LPGA and its player members."

Lincecum, Halladay to start All-Star Game

ST. LOUIS, July 13 (UPI) -- San Francisco's Tim Lincecum and Toronto's Roy Halladay were announced Monday as the starting pitchers for Tuesday's All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Lincecum, who won the 2008 Cy Young Award, will try to help the National League win the All-Star Game for the first time since 1996.

He is 10-2 this season with a 2.33 earned run average this season and he leads the National League with 149 strikeouts. It is Lincecum's second All-Star team selection in three seasons in the major leagues.

"He wasn't at full strength to start the season. That was evident," said San Francisco Manager Bruce Bochy at a news conference. "Once he got that back, he has been on an unbelievable roll. He's pitching as well as I have seen anybody pitch in my years of playing and managing. He has got to be considered one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the game right now."

Halladay is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. He has struck out 106 batters in 123 innings while walking just 17. Tuesday will mark his sixth All-Star Game selection in 12 seasons.

Nationals fire Manager Manny Acta

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals, who entered baseball's All-Star break with the worst record in the major leagues, Monday fired Manager Manny Acta.

Acta was in his third season as the Washington manager. He amassed a 158-252 record. A loss Sunday in Houston dropped the Nationals to 26-61 this year, which would project to a 48-114 record over a full season

The loss total would be the highest since the Detroit Tigers lost 119 games in 2003. The record for losses in a season is 120 by the 1962 New York Mets.

Nationals Assistant General Manager Mike Rizzo said at a news conference bench coach Jim Riggleman will fill in on an interim basis. Riggleman previously managed the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners, fashioning a 486–598 overall record. Coincidentally, he was named interim manager at Seattle last season when the Mariners fired John McLaren in mid-June.

Acta was the second Washington manager since the team moved from Montreal. Frank. Robinson was 152-172 in two seasons leading the Nationals.

Washington is the third team this season to changes managers. The Colorado Rockies fired Clint Hurdle and the Arizona Diamondbacks replaced Bob Melvin

Monarchs bounce Jenny Boucek

SACRAMENTO, July 13 (UPI) -- Jenny Boucek has been fired as coach of the Sacramento Monarchs, the WNBA team says.

General Manager John Whisenant takes over as coach.

"I want to thank Jenny for her efforts and contributions over the past 2 1/2 years," Whisenant said Sunday night. "The team is 3-10 overall; we still have over half the season left and we felt it necessary to make this change. We feel like this is a playoff-caliber team that can compete and to dig ourselves down any further wouldn't be prudent."

Boucek produced a 40-41 record in two-plus years as the Monarchs' coach.

Lemaire returns to lead Devils

NEWARK, N.J., July 13 (UPI) -- Jacque Lemaire is returning to New Jersey to coach the NHL's Devils again, the team said Monday.

Lemaire resigned as coach of the expansion Wild after eight seasons in Minnesota. He previously coached the Devils for five seasons that included a Stanley Cup championship in 1995.

"Jacques Lemaire is one of the most respected coaches in the game," said Lou Lamoriello, the Devils' top executive. "He is a teacher and a communicator, and knows what it takes to have success."

Lemaire guided New Jersey to a 199-122-57 record from 1993-98 when the Devils made the playoffs four times. He holds the franchise marks for games coached (378) and wins (199).

Lemaire succeeds Brent Sutter, who left New Jersey for Calgary. The Devils won 51 regular-season games last year but were knocked out in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

Lemaire, 63, also previously coached Montreal where he also had a Hall of Fame career as a player.

Lemaire is bringing along Mario Tremblay, who assisted him in Minnesota.

Devils assistant coach John MacLean was named head coach of the club's AHL affiliate in Lowell.