NASCAR fines, docks Gordon after brawl
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Jeff Gordon has been fined $100,000 and docked 25 points for intentionally crashing into Clint Bowyer during last weekend's Sprint Cup Series race.
The incident sparked a garage-area brawl between the two drivers' crews Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway during the AdvoCare 500.
Gordon avoided suspension in the NASCAR discipline, which came as the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship heads into its season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
A statement from NASCAR said Gordon was in violation of rules banning actions detrimental to stock car racing in the form of an "altercation with another competitor on the race track during the race."
He was placed on probation until Dec. 31.
"I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack," Gordon said in a team statement. "I accept NASCAR's decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead."
Angels' Trout, Nats' Harper best rookies
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and the Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper Monday were named baseball's Rookies of the Year for 2012.
Trout was the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America following one of the best rookie seasons in baseball history.
The outfielder was second in the AL in batting average at .326, while leading the league in steals (49) and runs scored (129).
The 21-year-old also finished third in on-base percentage (.399) and slugging (.564) in pacing the Angels' offense after his April 28 call-up.
Trout is also in contention for the AL Most Valuable Player award, although he will face from stiff opposition from triple crown-winner Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers.
Nationals outfielder Harper, only 19 years old, took the NL honors after belting 22 homers, driving in 59 runs and scoring 98 times in helping Washington win an NL East title.
The versatile Harper also stole 18 stolen bases and sported a .817 on-base plus slugging percentage with nine triples.
Reid: Vick's concussion 'significant'
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A concussion suffered by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is "significant," Coach Andy Reid said Monday.
Vick sustained the injury early in the second quarter of the Eagles' 38-23 loss to Dallas Sunday after absorbing two hits by Cowboys defenders.
Rookie Nick Foles made his first NFL appearance during the game and is now likely to get his first start next week against the Washington Redskins after Reid told reporters Vick was still "foggy" after the game.
Reid said Vick had a "significant concussion" and will go through the medical protocol for assessing the injury, thus delaying a possible return to practice.
"He's resting right now," Reid said. "[In] this period, it's very important that he rests."
The injury came as more bad news for the struggling Eagles, who fell to 3-6 with their fifth straight loss.
Djokovic beats Federer in ATP Finals
LONDON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Top-ranked Novak Djokovic took a tight straight-set decision over Roger Federer in winning Monday's title match at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.
In a match fitting of a tournament final pitting the two highest-ranked players against each other, Djokovic rallied from early breaks in each set for a 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 win over Federer.
It was the second ATP Finals title for Djokovic, who also won the event in 2008 in Shanghai, and caps a year in which he'll finish No. 1 in the rankings for a second consecutive year. It was his 35th career ATP title and sixth this year.
Federer, who also won six times in 2012, saw his all-time finals record drop to 76-34. He had won the last two ATP Finals.
