National sports briefs: Wild-card co-leaders fire manager

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Associated Press
MILWAUKEE ó In an unprecedented move, the Milwaukee Brewers fired manager Ned Yost on Monday, hoping to pull out of another late-season slump that has jeopardized the teamís chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
Third-base coach Dale Sveum will take over as interim manager for the remainder of the season. The Brewers have lost seven of eight and fallen into a tie with Philadelphia for the NL wild-card lead.
It marked the first time in major league history ó except the strike-split 1981 season ó that a manager was fired in August or later with his team in playoff position, the Elias Sports Bureau said.
LAWSUIT
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. ó A trial has been averted in a teenagerís lawsuit claiming she suffered psychological trauma from nearly a two-year sexual relationship with former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, a newspaper reported.
Steven Smith, an attorney for the Christiansburg teenager, told The Roanoke Times on Monday the parties have agreed in principle to a settlement in the $6.35 million lawsuit. He would not discuss details of the settlement.
NCAA HOOPS
ASHEVILLE ó UNC Ashevilleís Kenny George, at 7-foot-7 the nationís tallest college basketball player, might not play this season because of a foot injury.
George had two surgical procedures on an infected right foot and remains in a Chicago hospital, the school said. The senior is not expected to return to school this semester.
n PHOENIX ó The University of Arizona has reported a possible NCAA recruiting violation by menís basketball coach Lute Olson, who called it ian unfortunate and regrettable error.î
Athletic director Jim Livengood said Monday that Olson had sent a letter to basketball boosters asking for a donation to Jim Storeyís Arizona Cactus Classic basketball tournament, held last May at Arizonaís McKale Center. NCAA rules prohibit institutional representatives or boosters from arranging financial assistance for potential recruits.
GOLF
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. ó Michelle Wieís untraditional path to a professional golf career will take a decidedly traditional turn Tuesday when she tees off in a sectional qualifying tournament, the first step toward earning her LPGA Tour card.
Wie will play the first stage at Mission Hills, where she first rose to fame at age 13 by playing in the final group of the LPGAís first major.
NBA
DENVER ó The Denver Nuggets signed guard Sonny Weems on Monday.
The Chicago Bulls selected Weems out of Arkansas in the second round of the 2008 NBA draft. He was traded to Denver for a 2009 second-round draft pick.
NHL
RALEIGH ó The Carolina Hurricanes signed left wing Matt Murley to a one-year contract Monday.
Assistant general manager Ron Francis said the deal will pay Murley $500,000 at the NHL level or $100,000 if he is sent to the minors for the 2008-09 season.