UPI NewsTrack Sports

Yankees to be honored at Friday parade

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- New York will honor the World Series champion Yankees Friday with a ticker-tape parade along the Canyon of Heroes, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The Yankees won their 27th World Series title with a 7-3 win over Philadelphia Wednesday night, clinching it four games to two.

Bloomberg told MLB.com the parade route will start on Broadway at Battery Place and continue northbound to Chambers Street, with showers of confetti bathing Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and their teammates.

It will be followed by a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, where Bloomberg will present Manager Joe Girardi with the keys to the city.

"What's sweeter than a World Series won at home?" Bloomberg asked. "The only thing that comes close is a ticker-tape parade up the Canyon of Heroes."

"I can't wait," closer Mariano Rivera said. "It's satisfaction (and) the city of New York deserves it."

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Report: Drug charge for Tim Lincecum

VANCOUVER, Wash., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum faces misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and use of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

Lincecum -- a right-hander who won the Cy Young Award in 2008 -- was charged Oct. 30 after a Washington State Patrol trooper pulled him over for speeding on Interstate 5 near the Oregon border, The (Clark County, Wash.) Columbian reported. Police said Lincecum, 25, driving a 2006 Mercedes-Benz, was traveling 74 mph in a 60 mph zone.

The trooper said he smelled marijuana when Lincecum rolled down the window and Lincecum had a pipe and a small pouch containing 3.3 grams of pot, Trooper Steve Schatzel said. Lincecum did not appear to be impaired, police said.

Lincecum was fined $622 for speeding and for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He faces arraignment Nov. 23 in Clark County District Court, the newspaper said.

Lincecum was 15-7 with the Giants in 2009 with two shutouts, four complete games and an ERA of 2.48. He was 18-5 in 2008 when he won the Cy Young.

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Kings' Nocioni apologizes for DUI arrest

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Sacramento Kings forward Andres Nocioni was arrested Thursday on suspicion of drunken driving and later apologized for a "lapse in judgment."

City police arrested the 29-year-old Nocioni and booked him into the county jail at 3:30 a.m., The Sacramento Bee reported. Nocioni posted bail of $1,482 and was released, the newspaper said.

"I want to apologize to the Kings organization, my teammates, my coaches, the fans, the city of Sacramento and my family," Nocioni said in a statement released by the Kings. "Drinking and driving is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I made a mistake and I'm very sorry for my lapse in judgment."

Geoff Petrie, the team's president of basketball operations, said the Kings were "extremely disappointed in the poor judgment" shown by Nocioni.

"He has apologized to the organization and his teammates. We will wait for the outcome of the judicial process and the NBA's decision on potential fines and/or suspension. This experience now becomes a life lesson learned the hard way."

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Marshall again named top MLS defender

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Chad Marshall of the Columbus Crew has been named Major League Soccer Defender of the Year for the second straight season, the league announced Thursday.

The 6-foot-4 defender from Riverside, Calif., started in each of the 18 matches he played in the regular season.

Marshall, 25, is the second player in MLS history to win consecutive top-defender awards. The Chicago Fire's Carlos Bocanegra won in 2002 and 2003.

The Crew's defense, anchored by Marshall, allowed just 31 goals during the regular season.