Bonds, Clemens top Hall of Fame ballot
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Outfielder Barry Bonds and pitcher Roger Clemens are among 24 first-time names on the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Wednesday.
Bonds, the all-time home run leader with 762 over a 22-year career, and Clemens, who won 354 games over 24 seasons, both have had their Hall of Fame credentials tainted by allegations of use of performance-enhancing substances. However, is it generally considered they had hall-worthy careers before the allegations surfaced.
The same can't be said of Sammy Sosa, also a first-time entry on the hall ballot, and Mark McGwire, a previous ballot holdover.
Eligible Baseball Writers Association of America members -- about 600 people -- have until Dec. 31 to return their ballots. Results of the voting are to be announced Jan. 9. A player must appear on 75 percent of returned ballots to win induction into the Hall of Fame.
Other first-time names on the ballot are: outfielders Kenny Lofton, Shawn Green, Steve Finley, Reggie Sanders and Rondell White; pitchers Curt Schilling, David Wells, Aaron Sele and Woody Williams; relievers Roberto Hernandez, Jose Mesa and Mike Stanton; catchers Mike Piazza and Sandy Alomar Jr.; infielders Julio Franco, Royce Clayton, Todd Walker and Jeff Cirillo; outfielders/first baseman Jeff Conine and Ryan Klesko; and utilityman Craig Biggio.
Returning to the ballot are: first basemen Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Rafael Palmiero and Jeff Bagwell; outfielders Dale Murphy, Tim Raines, Larry Walker and Bernie Williams; shortstop Alan Trammell; third baseman/designated hitter Edgar Martinez; and pitchers Jack Morris and Lee Smith.
Tulsa's athletic director suspended
TULSA, Okla., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- University of Tulsa athletic director Ross Parmley was suspended with pay after the FBI said he placed bets with an alleged bookmaker awaiting trial.
The alleged bookmaker, Teddy Mitchell, 58, of Oklahoma City, will be tried on a federal indictment accusing him of operating an illegal gambling enterprise.
Parmley, 39, admitted to FBI agents he bet on collegiate and professional football games for years, making payments to Mitchell on losses and collecting from him for wins, until Parmley stopped gambling in 2010, the (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman reported Wednesday.
Parmley was not a target or subject of the gambling investigation, his lawyer, Derek Chance, said Tuesday. He has not been charged with any crimes, the newspaper said.
University president Steadman Upham announced Parmley's suspension Tuesday afternoon.
Kaepernick gets start for 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Colin Kaepernick will be the starting quarterback for San Francisco this weekend, 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday.
Kaepernick started the last two San Francisco games in place of the injured Alex Smith and played well, earning a start Sunday at St. Louis.
The 49ers defeated Chicago (32-7) and New Orleans (31-21) in their last two games, and Kaepernick was a combined 32-of-48 for 474 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
But with Smith recovered from the concussion he suffered Nov. 11, there was a question as to whom the 49ers would start. Harbaugh ended the suspense Wednesday.
"We believe Colin has the hot hand and we're going with Colin," Harbaugh said.
Smith has been the 49ers' starting quarterback virtually his entire seven-year NFL career, starting 75 of his 79 games played. In nine games in 2012, he is 152-of-217 for 1,731 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
San Francisco (8-2-1) leads the NFC West by 2 1/2 games. Only the 10-1 Atlanta Falcons have a better record in the conference.
Olympian Franklin to swim for her school
AURORA, Colo., Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin will compete for her Aurora, Colo., high school swimming team this season, the school athletic director said.
Regis Jesuit High School's John Koslosky confirmed Franklin, with travel and appearance commitments after her success in the London Olympics, will participate in an abbreviated schedule with the team.
"She's doing this because of her team, her school and the other girls who swim in high school. And she wants to. They all want her here," he said.
Although the scholastic season begins Wednesday, Franklin's school swimming competitions will not begin until after the holidays, The Denver Post reported Wednesday.
