Portugal new No. 4 in soccer ranking
NYON, Switzerland, March 31 (UPI) -- Portugal, which had slipped to 17th last summer, jumped to No. 4 in the FIFA world's men's soccer rankings released Wednesday.
Portugal gained 13 points and moved from sixth to fourth in matching the team's best ranking, which was last reached eight years ago.
A year ago the Portuguese were out of the Top 10, falling to 11th in April and as low No. 17 from July-September. Since then, Portugal has climbed, reaching No. 5 in November and, after one month at sixth, is now at fourth in the world.
Spain, despite losing 40 ratings points, remains No. 1, but is only 13 points up on No. 2 Brazil. The Netherlands is third.
Italy, now fifth, and No. 6 Germany, were each pushed down one spot by Portugal's gain and England improved to seventh, switching places with new No. 8 France. Argentina remained ninth but Croatia entered the Top 10, shoving Greece to 11th.
The FIFA world rankings are determined by points awarded from match results over a three-year period, with more recent games given greater weight. Teams get additional points for playing relatively strong opponents. FIFA said the bulk of the changes in the latest rankings reflected a devaluation of older match results.
Cubs to erect Billy Williams statue
MESA, Ariz., March 31 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs announced plans Wednesday to erect a statue of the likeness of Cubs' icon Billy Williams outside the team's home of Wrigley Field.
The Cubs said the statue would be unveiled before their Sept. 7 game. It will be the third statue outside Wrigley Field. Ernie Banks and Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Caray are already immortalized with statues at the ballpark.
Williams played all but two of his 18 major league seasons with the Cubs and has spent more than 40 years with the organization. As a player, he won the 1961 National League Rookie of the Year award while with Chicago and earned six All-Star selections while playing primarily left field. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987 and had his uniform No. 26 retired.
"I am extremely appreciative and humbled by this tremendous honor from the Cubs," Williams, 72, said. "I have spent nearly my entire professional career in this organization and am thankful to the Ricketts family for this wonderful gesture. My family and I could not be more excited for the statue's unveiling later this year."
Couples, Norman to lead Presidents Cup
HUMBLE, Texas, March 31 (UPI) -- Fred Couples and Greg Norman were selected captains for the U.S. and international teams competing in the 2011 Presidents Cup.
Couples led the U.S. team to a 19 1/2-14 1/2 victory in last year's President Cup competition in San Francisco, beating the Norman-led International team.
"There could be no better choices to serve as captains of the Presidents Cup 2011 than Fred Couples and Greg Norman," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "Fred and Greg bring not only their extensive experience as Presidents Cup participants to the table but also what they learned in 2009 as captains.
"They stepped into their roles last year with a strong passion and commitment to elevating this international competition and handled their responsibilities with ease."
Couples said: "Serving as U.S. team captain in 2009 was an incredible honor and the week itself -- the entire experience -- was phenomenal. It was one of the best weeks of my life, including those I've competed in as a player."
The next Presidents Cup will be contested Nov. 14-20, 2011, at Melbourne's Royal Melbourne Golf Club, the site of the International team's only victory in the competition. The United States has won six times. There was also one tie.
NASCAR's Hamlin has knee surgery
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 31 (UPI) -- NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, who won a rain-delayed race on Monday, had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn knee ligament.
Hamlin, 29, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing basketball in January. He had said he didn't expect it to affect his driving but the injury has worsened as the NASCAR season went on and he opted for surgery.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Patrick Conner in Charlotte, N.C. Hamlin is expected to be available for the April 10 race at Phoenix, although the Joe Gibbs Racing team said it plans to have Casey Mears on standby.
"Denny had his surgery this morning and everything went well," said JGR President J.D. Gibbs. "He will start rehab immediately and now we can concentrate on getting his knee back to the full strength.
"The doctors tell us it will improve with each passing week and that he cannot damage it by driving."
Hamlin is coming off a win Monday at Martinsville, Va.
Turf thief hits Michigan's 'Big House'
ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 31 (UPI) -- Police at the University of Michigan say a large piece of the block M was cut from the football stadium's turf.
The 4-foot-by-6-inch chunk disappeared from midfield sometime last weekend.
Campus police told the Detroit Free Press the apparent theft occurred about the same time someone called Friday to report a light fixture that had been broken during a scavenger hunt.
