UPI NewsTrack Sports

Billy Martin on Hall of Fame ballot

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Former major-league managers Billy Martin and Whitey Herzog are among 20 people being considered for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Hall of Fame officials Tuesday released two lists of 10 people each to be voted on by Veterans Committee. One list is made up of 10 former managers and umpires while team executive and pioneers of the sport are on the other.

Martin had a famously fiery career as a five-time manager of the New York Yankees but he also led Minnesota, Detroit, Texas and Oakland while putting together a 1,253-1015 record and winning the 1977 World Series title.

Herzog managed Texas, the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City and St. Louis to a 1,279-1143 record. His Cardinals won the 1982 World Series.

Other managers on the Hall of Fame list -- Charlie Grimm, Davey Johnson, Tom Kelly, Gene Mauch, Danny Murtaugh and Steve O'Neill and -- are joined by umpires Doug Harvey and Hank O'Day.

Executive on the ballot are: Gene Autry, San Breadon, John Fetzer, Bob Howsam, Ewing Kauffman, John McHale, Marvin Miller, Gabe Paul, Jacob Ruppert and Bill White.

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German goalie's death called suicide

HANNOVER, Germany, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- German national soccer team goalie Robert Enke apparently committed suicide by stepping in front of a train, authorities said Tuesday.

Hannover, Germany, police spokesman Stefan Wittke said in a statement Enke, 32, died Tuesday evening, CNN reported.

"Preliminary police investigations indicate a suicide," Wittke said, without elaborating on what led police to reach that conclusion.

The U.S. broadcaster said Enke's teammates were stunned by the news of his death. Enke had worn Germany's national uniform eight times in international matches and was a star for the Hannover 96 team in Germany's top circuit, the Bundesliga.

"We are in a state of shock," team Manager Oliver Bierhoff said in a statement.

Soccer analysts told CNN Enke was on course to secure the goaltending job for Germany in the 2010 World Cup when he died.

Enke is survived by his wife and an 8-month-old daughter, whom the couple reportedly adopted after their 2-year-old daughter died in 2006 from a heart condition.

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Expanded replays not on GMs' agenda

CHICAGO, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- An expansion of Major League Baseball's instant-replay system was not on the agenda Tuesday at a general managers' meeting in Chicago, an official says.

Jimmie Lee Solomon, baseball's executive vice president of baseball operations, told MLB.com the GMs did not bring up the topic at their conference, even though many had thought expanding the use of the replays would be a hot topic after a rash of blown calls by umpires in this year's post-season.

Solomon says MLB Commissioner Bud Selig remains opposed to using replays to determine anything more than if long flies are fair or foul or inside or outside the park.

"It all lies with the commissioner right now," Solomon said. "He'll have to make the determination about whether he wants to start discussions on that."

And while some GMs have talked about expanding the role of replays, Solomon said, "The commissioner doesn't see any reason to consider it."

Solomon said Selig wants to give the current replay system, which started late last season -- more time to be tested.

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Blackhawks' Bolland undergoes surgery

CHICAGO, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland underwent successful surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back, the team said Tuesday.

The announcement said the surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Fessler at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, under the supervision of Blackhawks head team physician Dr. Michael Terry.

"Dave underwent minimally invasive surgery today for a herniated disk," Terry said. "The surgery went well and we anticipate a full recovery. He should be back in 12-to-16 weeks."

Bolland, 23, has notched four assists, six points and 14 penalty minutes in 13 games this season. The Mimico, Ontario, native has appeared in 134 regular-season games over parts of the last four seasons with the Blackhawks, recording 70 points (25 goals, 45 assists) and 94 penalty minutes.