Associated Press
KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó Atlanta Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar has lost an eye after he was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Brian McCann while watching a spring training game.
Braves general manager Frank Wren said Wednesday that doctors were unable to save the 54-year-old Salazar’s left eye after the accident March 9. The former major league player is otherwise recovering from his injuries and expects to manage Lynchburg of the Class A Carolina League this season.
“In the big picture, and that’s what we have to keep in mind, this is a good outcome,” Wren said. “He’s alive.”
BONDS UPDATE
SAN FRANCISCO ó Federal prosecutors released transcripts and recordings of voicemail messages Barry Bonds left for his former mistress during their nine-year relationship.
They donít portray Bonds in a flattering light.
Most of the messages show Bonds angrily inquiring after Kimberly Bellís whereabouts. Prosecutors say the recordings and transcripts are evidence of Bondsí steroid use because the drugs supposedly induce rage in some users.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
COLUMBUS, Ohio ó Now that the NCAA has finalized its ruling that five Ohio State football players who took improper benefits are suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel says he wants the same punishment.
On Thursday night, the NCAA denied Ohio State’s appeal on behalf of the players including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, reasserting that they must sit out the first five games this fall for selling autographed memorabilia and receiving discounted tattoos.
Coach Jim Tressel had been handed a separate two-game suspension by Ohio State for not notifying the NCAA, his Ohio State bosses or the school’s compliance department of the players’ improper benefits.
NFL
NEW YORKó Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote NFL players Thursday, outlining the league’s last proposal to the union and cautioning that “each passing day puts our game and our shared economics further at risk.”
Goodell ended the letter by telling players: “I hope you will encourage your union to return to the bargaining table and conclude a new collective bargaining agreement.”
OCHOCINCOíS TRYOUT
KANSAS CITY, Kan. ó Chad Ochocinco will try to play a different kind of football during the NFL lockout.
Never short on publicity-grabbing ideas, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is in the middle of a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer.
The club said that after the tryout, it would determine whether to extend the trial period.
“We’re always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. “We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We’re excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team.”
Ochocinco started playing soccer at age 4 but chose to focus on football in high school.
GOLF
PHOENIX ó The LPGA Tour found a way to return to the Valley of the Sun and add another U.S. event. The catch, the players aren’t getting paid.
“This is a completely unique event,” Commissioner Michael Whan said.
The LPGA Founders Cup, set to open Friday at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa’s Wildfire Golf Club, will donate $1 million to charity ó half to The LPGA Foundation and its LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program and half to the top-10 finishers’ designated charities. The $1 million will count on the season money list.
PALM HARBOR, Fla. ó Paul Casey played bogey-free on the tough Copperhead course at Innisbrook on Thursday for a 7-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead after one round of the Transitions Championship.
NBA
NEW YORK ó Toney Douglas tied a franchise record by making nine of the New York Knicks’ franchise-record 20 3-pointers, scoring 29 points in a 120-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night that snapped a three-game losing streak.
Bulls 84, Nets 73
NEWARK, N.J. ó Derrick Rose scored 21 points and Chicago extended its longest winning streak in six years to eight games.
NHL
ATLANTA ó Rob Schremp and Blake Wheeler scored for Atlanta in the shootout, giving the Thrashers a crucial 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers after squandering three leads Thursday night.
Stars 5, Blackhawks 0
DALLAS ó Jamie Benn extended his point streak to nine games with a goal and an assist and Kari Lehtonen made 23 saves for his 16th NHL shutout.
Predators 4, Bruins 3
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Shea Weber scored a power-play goal with 1:23 left in overtime, and the Nashville Predators won for the third time in four games.
Canadiens 3, Lightning 2, SO
MONTREAL (AP) ó Carey Price made three big shootout saves, and Michael Cammalleri scored on Montreal’s fourth attempt in the tiebreaker.
Senators 3, Devils 1
OTTAWA (AP) ó Chris Neil scored two third-period goals and Ottawa beat New Jersey for the second time in nine days.
The Devils are six points behind the eighth-place Buffalo Sabres for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.