Senators sign Karlsson to 7-year extension
OTTAWA, June 19 (UPI) -- Star defenseman Erik Karlsson has signed a seven-year contract extension with the Ottawa Senators, the team said Tuesday.
Karlsson moved to the top ranks of NHL defensemen last season after breaking Senators team records for assists (59) and points (78) by a blueliner in a single season.
The 22-year-old former first-round pick tied the team mark for goals by a defenseman with 19.
Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said Karlsson had quickly become "one of the cornerstones of our franchise," adding, "Erik will be a large part of the future success that Senators fans can look forward to."
Karlsson has 37 goals and 149 points over 216 career games in three seasons with the Senators.
Phillies' Galvis suspended 50 games
NEW YORK, June 19 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Freddy Galvis has been suspended 50 games for violating doping rules, Major League Baseball said Tuesday.
Galvis, currently on the disabled list with a lower back injury, tested positive for clostebol, a synthetic anabolic steroid, the commissioner's office said.
A 22-year-old rookie, Galvis was hitting .226 with 15 doubles, three home runs and 24 RBI before the injury.
"The Phillies continue to believe in and endorse Major League Baseball's drug policy," the team said in a statement. "We also support Freddy Galvis in his determination to put this matter behind him and we look forward to his return as a productive member of the Phillies as soon as possible."
Galvis issued a statement in which he apologized to teammates and fans, and noted only a trace amount of the steroid was found in a urine sample and denying he had intentionally taken the performance-enhancing drug.
"I cannot understand how even this tiny particle of a banned substance got into my body," he said. "I have not and never would knowingly use anything illegal to enhance my performance."
Titans ink Griffin to long-term deal
NASHVILLE, June 19 (UPI) -- Safety Michael Griffin has signed a long-term contract with the Tennessee Titans, the team said Tuesday.
Terms of the deal weren't announced, but The (Nashville) Tennessean reported it was for five years at approximately $36 million, including $15 million guaranteed.
Griffin, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, was tagged in March as the Titans' franchise player.
The Texas product ranked third on the team in tackles last year with 96 while starting all 16 games for the third time in four seasons.
Griffin, 27, has racked up 17 interceptions in 80 career games with the Titans.
Secretariat awarded Preakness record time
BALTIMORE, June 19 (UPI) -- The Maryland Racing Commission voted Tuesday to award Secretariat the record time for the Preakness Stakes, which he won in 1973 as part of his Triple Crown.
After 2 hours of testimony, the commission opted to set Secretariat's time in the 1 3/16-mile race at 1:53, down from 1:54 2/5, thus breaking the Preakness record at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and giving him the record time in each of the Triple Crown races.
Secretariat already held record times for the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
The Maryland Commission's move placed his 1973 time lower than the previous Preakness record of 1:53 2/5, set by Tank's Prospect in 1985 and matched by Louis Quatorze in 1996 and Curlin in 2007.
The request to use modern technology to re-examine Secretariat's 1973 time was made by his owner, Penny Chenery, and Maryland Jockey Club president Thomas Chuckas.
Maryland Jockey Club is the name of the company that Pimlico Race Course.
