Baseball playoffs in full swing
By United Press International
Baseball's playoffs were in their final phase before the World Series Wednesday.
The New York Yankees, three-time world champs and comeback winners over Oakland in the first round of the American League playoffs were at Seattle in an afternoon game to begin their best-of-seven AL championship series.
Seattle had the most wins this season of any American League team in history and tied the major league mark.
At Phoenix, the Arizona Diamondbacks met Atlanta in the second game of their National League final series in a night game, holding a 1-0 lead in games. Randy Johnson stymied the Braves 2-0 in their opener Tuesday.
Favre, Brady NFL players of week
NEW YORK, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Quarterbacks Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, who combined for over 700 yards passing, were among the NFL Players of the Week announced Wednesday.
Favre was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for shredding the defense of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens while Brady won the award in the AFC for engineering a come-from-behind win over the San Diego Chargers.
Defensive end Michael Strahan of the New York Giants and linebacker Marvin Jones of the New York Jets were named Defensive Players of the Week in their respective conferences.
The Special Teams Players of the Week were kickers Tim Seder of the Dallas Cowboys and Joe Nedney of the Tennessee Titans.
Holyfield wants China bout
ATLANTA, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Evander Holyfield wants to fight John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship in China on Nov. 25, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and the question of safety doesn't enter into it.
"Evander and I have no safety concerns," said Jim Thomas, Holyfield's attorney.
"China is a very safe country if we're there doing something that the government wants us to be doing," he said. "And this is something that the government wants u s to do. I am sure we'll be very, very well guarded and protected."
The third title fight between Holyfield and Ruiz was originally set for Aug. 5 but was postponed when Ruiz suffered a neck injury a few days earlier. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, promoter Don King and HBO decided not to hold the bout in China because of safety concerns.
But the China Sports Daily reported that Chinese promoters had said the fight "will happen nowhere but Beijing." Thomas said he expected an official announcement by the end of the week.
Woods leads National field
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Having already clinched his third straight PGA Player of the Year award, Tiger Woods returns from a five-year week absence at the National Car Rental Classic at Walt Disney World Resort Thursday.
Woods has not played since the Bell Canadian Classic in early September, and has an insurmountable 54-point lead in the Vardon Trophy standings going into the first rounjd of the National.
Woods, who calls Orlando home, will use this event in his backyard as a tune up for the Tour Championship in two weeks. He has claimed five tournaments and earned more than $5.5 million in 2001.
While the presence of the world's No. 1 player adds luster to the tournament, it is crucial for players seeking to get into the 30-man Tour Championship and others hoping to maintain their cards. Only three events remain on the 2001 schedule.
Yallop, Faria get soccer awards
NEW YORK , Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Frank Yallop was named Major League Soccer Coach of the Year on Wednesday after leading the San Jose Earthquakes to the third-best turnaround in league history in his first year on the job.
Metro Stars striker Rodrigo Faria, who matched the league's rookie record with eight goals, collected the MLS Rookie of the Year prize. Paul Tamberino was named Referee of the Year honor.
Yallop, who edged Miami Fusion coach Ray Hudson in the voting. guided the Earthquakes to the best record in franchise history at 13-7-6. He steered the team into a deciding third game in their MLS Cup Playoffs semifinal series against Hudson's Fusion. San Jose matched the MLS regular-season record for fewest goals allowed with 29.
