Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO ó As prosecutors moved closer to finishing their case against Barry Bonds, former major league infielder Randy Velarde described meeting the slugger’s personal trainer outside spring training ballparks for injections of human growth hormone.
Velarde said he sought out Greg Anderson because of his link to Bonds, and they met “in various parking lots.”
“I can’t remember each,” Velarde said Wednesday during his 12 minutes of federal court testimony.
He wasn’t sure exactly how many times he met Anderson. He was asked whether it was more than 10.
“That would be a fair number,” he said.
And always, there would be an injection.
“Every meeting,” he said.
Velarde became the fourth and likely final ball player to say he purchased performance-enhancing drugs from Anderson, who has been jailed for contempt after refusing to testify against Bonds, his childhood friend.
SPRING TRAINING
ATLANTA ó Brandon Beachy pitched four scoreless innings for Atlanta and Scott Baker was just as strong for the Minnesota Twins in their 2-0 win over the Braves.
Beachy gave up five hits and no walks. He posted a 0.90 ERA for the spring to beat out Mike Minor and Rodrigo Lopez for the fifth spot in the Braves’ rotation.
Rays 5, Blue Jays 3
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ó Evan Longoria homered and B.J. Upton snapped a seventh-inning tie with a two-run single to help the Tampa Bay Rays finish their exhibition schedule with a victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Mets 6, Marlins 3
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. ó Chris Young pitched five innings and the New York Mets beat the Florida Marlins. The clubs meet Friday night in Florida on opening day.
FIESTA TROUBLES
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.ó SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) ó The head of the BCS put the Fiesta Bowl on notice Wednesday: “Follow the letter of the law” or lose its place in college football’s lucrative championship system.
BCS officials challenged the Fiesta Bowl to persuade them that extravagant and improper spending behind the firing of longtime CEO and President John Junker will never happen again.
Organizers for the Arizona game fired president and CEO John Junker for ěan apparent schemeî to reimburse employees for political contributions and ěan apparent conspiracyî to cover it up.
AUBURN PAYOUTS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. ó Auburn will investigate claims by four former football players, who have told HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” they received thousands of dollars while being recruited by or playing for the Tigers.
Stanley McClover, Troy Reddick, Chaz Ramsey and Raven Gray told HBO for an episode airing Wednesday night that they received cash payments ó in book bags, envelopes and even handshakes. Ramsey played at Auburn most recently, in the 2007 season.
PRO FOOTBALL
WASHINGTON ó Each NFL player who contributed to a lockout fund will be able to begin collecting up to a total of about $60,000.
ROSE ARRESTED
WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. ó Former NBA and Fab Five standout Jalen Rose was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of drunken driving.
West Bloomfield Township Police Lt. Tim Diamond said Tuesday that Rose was arrested around 2 a.m. March 11. Heís accused of operating a vehicle while impaired.
The 38-year-old Rose played 13 years in the NBA, reaching the finals with Indiana in 2000. He was also part of Michiganís famous Fab Five, which reached the NCAA title game in 1992 and 1993.
NASCAR
CHARLOTTE ó Rick Ware Racing says it will field a Truck for Jeffery Earnhardt this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, after all.
Ware had said Tuesday he had terminated the contract with the 21-year-old driver because Earnhardt was actively looking for another ride. Ware also accused Earnhardt of trying to steal the team’s sponsor.
On Wednesday, the team owner blamed the decision on emotions and a lack of communication between the two. He says he’ll use Earnhardt this Saturday at Martinsville and work to keep him in the Truck for the rest of the year.