Juan Gonzalez becomes free agent
CLEVELAND, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The Cleveland Indians unexpectedly announced today they had declined to pick up the 2002 option on Juan Gonzalez, instantly making the star outfielder a free agent.
The club did pick up the 2002 option on manager Charlie Manuel, but in an apparent cost-costing move parted ways with Gonzalez, who drove in 140 runs in 140 games, batted .325 and belted 35 homers this season.
In his only season in a Cleveland uniform, the former Texas Ranger was the center of the Indians' powerful lineup as the team captured the American League Central Division title for the sixth time in seven years.
Gonzalez was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract in January in part to replace Manny Ramirez, who departed for Boston. The deal included a $14 million mutual option, meaning either party had the right to void the second year.
Godolphin Stable goes after big prizes
ELMONT, N.Y., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Godolphin Stable flexed its muscle as one of Thoroughbred racing's most powerful forces today by taking a surprising run at two of the top events in Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Godolphin, based in Dubai, announced it will split up its European superstars, with Arc d'Triomphe winner Sakhee a surprise starter in the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic and Fantastic Light going in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Turf. Before the post-position draw at Belmont Park, most racing observers thought Sakhee would run in the Turf and Fantastic Light in the Classic against Galileo, his year-long rival in England.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said the decision was made by the owners -- members of the ruling family of Dubai.
"Fantastic Light has run all his life on the turf," Suroor said. "This also is the last year for him to run. Sakhee may stay in training for another year."
Galileo, a 3-year-old son of Sadler's Wells, beat Fantastic Light in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July. Fantastic Light, a 5-year-old son of Rahy, reversed that order of finish in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month in one of the year's most anticipated and most exciting races. Still, Suroor said the rivalry will be
carried on by Sakhee.
"Galileo is a great horse -- a very good horse," he said. "I think Sakhee can go with him. It would have been a great race. But Sakhee and Fantastic Light -- there is no difference between them. It will be a great race."
Nevertheless, the 1 1/4-mile Classic, which drew 13 starters, should be no match race between the European stars. The 2-1 favorite in the morning line, in fact, is Aptitude, who comes into the race off a dominating, 10-length victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont. Aptitude, a 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy, was second in last year's Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
Among the other Classic entrants are last year's winner, Tiznow, who has been compromised this year by a variety of ailments, and last year's Juvenile winner, Macho Uno.
Bill Spiers announces retirement
HOUSTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Houston Astros infielder Bill Spiers, who spent 13 seasons in the major leagues with a trio of teams, annnounced his retirement today.
The 35-year-old Spiers batted .271 with 37 homers and 388 RBI in 1,252 games for the Astros (1996-2001), New York Mets (1995) and Milwaukee Brewers (1989-94) after he was the 13th overall pick in the 1987 draft.
Spiers appeared in only four games this season because of back injuries. He underwent surgery to remove a cyst and repair a ruptured disk in his lower back on May 16.
A baseball and football star at Clemson, Spiers hit over .300 twice in a Astros uniform, including a .320 clip in 132 games in 1997. He played every position during his career except pitcher and catcher, spending the majority of his time at shortstop (446 games) and third base (441).
Spiers earned team Rookie of the Year honors for the Brewers in 1989, when he hit .255 with four homers and 33 RBI in 114 games.
Allison traded from Bruins to Kings
BOSTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The Boston Bruins today traded holdout center Jason Allison to the Los Angeles Kings along with left wing Mikko Eloranta for a pair of former Bruin veterans, right wing Glen Murray and center Jozef Stumpel.
Allison, who has spent over four seasons in a Bruins uniform, collected 36 goals and 59 assists during the 2000-01 campaign but the team has been unable to meet his contract demands this fall.
According to ESPN, Allison, a restricted free agent, intially asked the Bruins for a three-year deal worth more than $8 million per season. The Bruins countered with a proposal for $5.5 million-$6.5 million per year before pursuing a trade.
Boston's captain tied for fourth in the league in scoring a season ago with 92 points. He led the Bruins in scoring while tallying 11 of his goals on the power play.
Lions sign Bert Emanuel
PONTIAC, Mich., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The winless Detroit Lions filled a gaping hole at receiver today by signing free agent Bert Emanuel.
Germane Crowell, who tore the patella tendon in his left knee in Sunday's loss to Tennessee, was placed on injured reserve. Crowell joins fellow receiver Herman Moore, who went on injured reserve last week with a torn muscle in his abdomen.
In addition, the Lions released veteran defensive end Alonzo Spellman, who was used primarily on third downs in five games this season.
Emanuel was released by the New England Patriots on Oct. 9. Signed as a free agent in March, he had four catches for 25 yards in the season opener before being listed as inactive the next two games.
Eric Metcalf joins Redskins
ASHBURN, Va., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Eric Metcalf, once one of the top special teams players and all-around threats in the NFL, today signed a contract with the Washington Redskins.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 5-10, 190-pound Metcalf, who doubles as a wide receiver and kick returner, joins the Redskins after being released by the Oakland Raiders prior to the 2001 season. He is a 12-year NFL veteran.
Metcalf is one of only two players in league history -- Brian Mitchell is the other -- to return 11 punts or kickoffs for touchdowns and he holds several other career punt return records, including career touchdowns (9).
Originally the 13th overall selection in the 1989 draft, Metcalf has played for the Cleveland Browns (1989-94), Atlanta Falcons (1995-96), San Diego Chargers (1997), Arizona Cardinals (1998) and Carolina Panthers (1999).
He has totaled 3,042 yards on 315 punt returns and 5,747 yards and two TDs on kickoff returns and is ninth on the all-time NFL combined yardage list with 16,727 yards.
Phil Mickelson to skip Tour Championship
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Following the birth of his second child, defending champion Phil Mickelson plans to skip next week's Tour Championship.
Mickelson's second daughter, Sophia Isabel, was born on Tuesday.
Currently second on the money list with $4,403,883, Mickelson defeated Tiger Woods by two strokes to win last year's Tour Championship in Atlanta. Mickelson has two wins this year, most recently the Greater Hartford Open in July.
Only the top 30 players are allowed to compete in next week's Tour Championship, which will be held at the Champions Golf Club in Houston.
