Valentine bans booze in Bosox clubhouse
FORT MYERS, Fla., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine said Saturday he has banned alcohol from the team's clubhouse and on flights returning to Boston.
The ban comes after revelations late last season that several Bosox pitchers -- including starters Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and John Lackey -- drank beer in the clubhouse as games were being played.
Valentine, who was hired in the off-season to replace the departed Terry Francona as skipper of the Red Sox, told The Boston Globe he banned alcohol from the New York Mets' clubhouse when he ran that team from 1996 to 2002.
"It's just what I've always done," Valentine he said. "I'm comfortable with it that way."
He said the ban on alcohol on return flights to Boston was a safety issue because players drive home from Fenway Park after arriving back in the city from road trips, the newspaper reported.
Eighteen other major league teams also ban alcohol in their clubhouses.
Sacramento seeks arena funds from Kings
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Sacramento city officials want the Maloof family to chip in at least $70 million to help build a new arena for their NBA team.
Negotiations taking place in Orlando, Fla., this weekend will focus on the Maloofs' contribution to the $378 million project, which would keep the Kings in Northern California.
The Sacramento Bee said its sources said the city believes a fair share for the Maloofs would be somewhere between $70 million and $90 million. It was not known what the Maloofs consider fair; however, the newspaper said the two sides do not appear to be too far apart.
The Bee said Saturday's informal talks at the site of the NBA All-Star Game include city officials and NBA executives. They will be followed Sunday by "more intensive talks" that will be attended by NBA Commissioner David Stern and Mayor Kevin Johnson.
Report: Trump to buy Doral Golf Resort
MIAMI, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Donald Trump is on the verge of acquiring the landmark Doral Golf Resort in Florida and carrying out a major renovation, sources told The Miami Herald.
An announcement of the $150 million sale could come as early as next week and put Doral on course for a conversion into a luxury golfing getaway for well-heeled visitors.
The Herald said Saturday Trump plans to be at Doral for the March 7-11 Cadillac championship tournament on the famed Blue Monster course. He'll no doubt be a high-profile presence along with Tiger Woods, Luke Donald and Rob McIlroy.
Trump is expected to be the only bidder for Doral, which is currently in bankruptcy. The transaction depends in large part on Trump negotiating a settlement with Marriott, which holds the management contract for the 692-room resort.
The Herald noted Doral would not be Trump's first foray into Florida real estate, not all of which have been successful. Trump has also dismissed the timing of his interest in Doral, saying it was not related to the debate over allowing casino gaming in the state.
Buescher wins crash-filled Daytona race
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- James Buescher dodged wrecked cars to log a victory Saturday in the crash-filled DRIVE4COPD 300 Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Buescher maneuvered around a pileup on the front stretch, taking advantage of the chaos to work his way from 11th place to the head of the pack on the final lap.
The wreck on the second-to-last lap caught up leader Kurt Busch and several of the other front-runners, giving Buescher an opening. He grabbed the opportunity to win the 2012 Nationwide Series season opener.
The 21-year-old Texan was declared the victor after NASCAR officials reviewed the running order.
Brad Keselowski was awarded second place, followed by Elliott Sadler, Cole Whitt and rookie Austin Dillon.
