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UPI NewsTrack Sports

No players voted to baseball hall in 2013

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- No players will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 following the first vote of the so-called Steroid Era, hall officials said Wednesday.

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Eligible members of the Baseball Writers Association of America sent a message on performance-enhancing drug use by not giving any of the 37 players -- even those who were considered to have played clean -- on the Hall of Fame ballot the necessary 75 percent of votes.

Craig Biggio, a seven-time All-Star who wasn't implicated in steroid use, was named on 68 percent of the ballots and was closest to induction. He came up 39 votes short.

Jack Morris (67.7 percent), Jeff Bagwell (59.6 percent), Mike Piazza (57.8 percent) and Tim Raines (52.2 percent) were the other players to be listed on more than half the ballots.

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However, all-time home run leader Barry Bonds, seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens and power-hitter Sammy Sosa were all refused entry in their first year of eligibility. All have had superior career statistics tainted by alleged steroid use.

Clemens was listed on 37.6 percent of the ballots and Bonds on 36.2 percent, suggesting they may someday win induction. Sosa, however, was on 12.5 percent and his hall induction would have to be seen as a long shot.

It was the first time since 1996 and only the eighth time overall no player won induction from the BBWAA vote.


NHL owners OK deal, Bettman apologizes

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- NHL owners Wednesday ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with players as Commissioner Gary Bettman apologized to fans for a 113-day player lockout.

Bettman told reporters the league's owners unanimously approved the 10-year deal, which reduces the players' share of total hockey revenue, sets a $64 million per-club salary cap and limits contract lengths.

NHL players need to approve the agreement before the teams can take to the ice Jan. 19 for a 48-game season. The vote is set to take place electronically Friday and Saturday, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported.

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Bettman issued an apology to incensed fans, many of whom blame him for the work stoppage.

"To the players who were very clear they wanted to be on the ice and not negotiating labor contracts, to our partners who support the league financially and personally, and most importantly to our fans, who love and have missed NHL hockey, I'm sorry," Bettman said.

"I know that an explanation or an apology will not erase the hard feelings that have built up over the past few months, but I owe you an apology nevertheless."


Panthers, Chargers hire new GM

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Former New York Giants executive Dave Gettleman has been tapped as the new general manager of the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Wednesday.

Gettleman, who spent 13 years as the Giants' director of player personnel, will take over from interim Panthers GM Brandon Beane.

Beane was filling the role after the October firing of Marty Hurney.

"I was very impressed with Dave's experience and think he will be a very good fit for our organization," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said.

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"He has an extensive background in personnel and comes from an organization in the New York Giants that I hold in high regard and played an instrumental role in their success."

Gettleman, 61, was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams with the Giants in 2007 and 2011 and with Denver in 1997.

Carolina finished out of the playoff this year with a 7-9 mark.

The San Diego Chargers also announced they had hired a new general manager -- former Indianapolis vice president Tom Telesco.

Telesco is faced with the task of hiring a new head coach to replace Norv Turner, who was fired along with former GM A.J. Smith at the end of the regular season.


Knicks' Carmelo Anthony suspended one game

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- New York Knicks center Carmelo Anthony was suspended for one game Wednesday following a post-game meltdown aimed at Boston's Kevin Garnett.

The Knicks star was sanctioned after engaging in verbal confrontations with Garnett both during and after the Celtics' 102-96 win over New York Monday.

Anthony screamed at Garnett as both teams were heading to their Madison Square Garden locker rooms following game, and television footage later showed him waiting outside the Celtics' team bus, apparently in an effort to confront Garnett.

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Several police officers and team officials surrounded the superstar center, preventing him from moving toward the bus.

"There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for a player to confront an opponent after a game," NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations Stu Jackson said. "Carmelo Anthony attempted to engage with Kevin Garnett multiple times after Monday's game and therefore a suspension was warranted."

Anthony told reporters Tuesday he just wanted to "talk to KG" and didn't do anything to be suspended, adding he was angered by "trash talk" of a personal nature allegedly hurled at him by Garnett during the contest.

Anthony, the Knicks' scoring leader at 29 points per game, will sit out Thursday's contest at Indiana.

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