Reports: Yankees' Posada to retire
NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has said he will retire from baseball rather than try to play for another team, multiple reports indicated Sunday.
WFAN-AM, New York, first reported Posada -- a five-time all-star who played on five World Series champion Yankees squads -- has told teammates he will retire after New York showed little interest in re-signing him.
The report was confirmed by ESPN and The New York Times Sunday.
The switch-hitting 40-year-old compiled 275 homers, 1,065 RBI and a .273 batting average in 1,829 career games over a 17-year career, but by last season had been reduced to a part-time designated hitter.
Posada was effective in the post-season, where he batted .248 with 11 home runs, 23 doubles and 42 RBI over 125 playoff games. He also played well in last season's American League Division Series against Detroit, going 6-for-14 with a triple.
The potential future Hall of Famer will be reckoned with the greatest Yankees catchers alongside Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey and Thurman Munson.
Sun Devils dismiss leading scorer King
TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Arizona State University sophomore guard and leading scorer Keala King has been dismissed from the team, Coach Herb Sendek said Sunday.
King, who led the Sun Devils with 13.7 points per game, was removed from the squad less than a week after he and two teammates were suspended for "unacceptable conduct," Fox Sports Arizona reported.
"We have decided that Keala will no longer be with the team. We wish him nothing but the best in his future," Sendek said in a prepared statement.
The 6-foot-5 King had struggled with his new role as a point guard after junior college transfer Chris Colvin couldn't establish himself at the position, the regional sport network said.
He, Colvin and forward Kyle Cain missed the Sun Devils' trip to Los Angeles last week to play Southern California and UCLA after being suspended.
Ex-goalie arrested in Mexico kidnap probe
MONTERREY, Mexico, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Former Mexican soccer star Omar "El Gato" Ortiz has been arrested for allegedly working with a kidnapping gang, authorities say.
Nuevo Leon state law enforcement spokesman Jorge Domene told CNN Sunday Ortiz is charged with helping a gang that allegedly carried out 20 kidnappings.
One of the gang's alleged victims was the husband of pop singer Gloria Trevi, who was released unharmed in October.
Prosecutors allege the star goalie had been working with the gang for a year, using his celebrity to help gather information about wealthy potential victims, most of whom who lived in an area south of Monterrey, Mexico.
"The Cat" was suspended from the Rayados de Monterrey by the Mexican Football League after testing positive for steroid use in 2010, CNN reported.
Thunder's Maynor out for season
OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Oklahoma City Thunder guard Eric Maynor will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a torn knee ligament, the team said Sunday.
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti said in a release Maynor tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in the fourth quarter of Saturday's contest in Houston against the Rockets.
Maynor, a reserve who played behind starting point guard Russell Westbrook, collapsed to the court after driving to the basket, clutching his knee on the play.
He lay on the court several minutes before being helped off by teammates, The Oklahoman reported.
"The injury will require surgery and Eric will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season," Presti said. "It's unfortunate to lose a player like Eric, whose work ethic and leadership has contributed to the culture of our organization."
