22 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY,JUNE11,2003
BASEBALL
Clemens seeks 300th victory despite respiratory infection
NEW YORK — Roger Clemens plans to pitch Friday night against St. Louis, trying for the fourth time to earn his 300th career victory despite an upper respiratory infection he can't completely shake.
"My day is still Friday," Clemens said before the New York Yankees played Houston yesterday night. "I know I'm going to be better by then."
His wife and youngest son remain ill with the same problem, and Clemens' cough has not gone away. A heavy scent of medication hovered around his locker as he spoke.
Clemens is trying to become the 21st pitcher to win 300 games. The only other pitcher to reach the milestone while playing for the Yankees was Phil Niekro, who did it on the final day of the 1985 season on his fifth try.
College coach accuses Royals of ignoring player's interests
RENO, Nev. University of Nevada's baseball coach is criticizing the Kansas City Royals for signing one of his pitchers claiming the team ignored the player's best interests.
The Royals signed free agent J.T. Sherman, a junior right-hander not selected in last week's 50-round major league amateur draft.
Gary Powers, in his 20th year at Nevada, said he was angry and disappointed when he found out about the signing.
The Royals defended the signing.
"He is a 22-year-old who obviously made a decision that this is the direction he wants to go," said Deric Ladnier, senior director of scouting for the Royals.
"Under no circumstances did we pressure him to sign a contract and he'll always be entitled to go back to school.
The 6-foot-4 Sherman was 8-5 last season with a 5.11 earned run average in 17 starts. He led the team with 111 innings pitched and three complete games, and tied for the lead with 79 strikeouts.
Sosa appeals suspension, won't speak about matter
BALTIMORE — Sammy Sosa is done talking. All he can do now is wait.
Yesterday, Sosa appealed his eight-game suspension for using a corked bat. After speaking for about an hour with Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, Sosa could only hope for the best.
"I'm waiting for the decision they're going to make. Whatever punishment
A decision from major league baseball could come as soon as today.
they're going to do, I accept it," he said.
Cubs officials said Sosa would not speak with reporters again during a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles that concludes tomorrow.
Sosa started in right field against the Orioles, but the Cubs were unsure how much longer he would be with the team.
"You'd like to get it over with so we can put it behind us and move forward," Cubs second baseman Mark Grudzielanek said. "Obviously he's a vital part of our offense and our team, and we kind of want to know what's going to happen."
Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charge of discipline, suspended Sosa for eight games Friday, but the appeal allows him to play until a ruling is made.
SOCCER
Soccer star Beckham may veto trade deal with Barcelona
LONDON — David Beckham will determine where he plays, and he seems ready to veto a deal that would send the Manchester United star to Barcelona.
Yesterday the two European powers agreed on a sale for the world's most famous soccer player. Beckham first must give approval, and there is little indication he will do so.
The deal is contingent on Beckham agreeing to contract terms and Joan Laporta winning Sunday's election as president of the Barcelona club.
As is customary in transfers, no fee was disclosed by Manchester United. Newspaper reports have said any bid for Beckham would have to be at least $48 million.
Beckham said he has no plans to meet with Laporta. Sidelined with a broken wrist, Beckham and wife Victoria, a former Spice Girl, are in Los Angeles.
"If I am not elected president, I would turn over the transfer to the man who does win," Laporta said at a news conference at Barcelona.
Another candidate in Sunday's election, Josep Martinez-Rovira, has no interest in landing the England captain.
TRACK
University of Florida track team favored at NCAA championship
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Both focused and confident after outstanding performances, University of Florida's track and field teams go into nationals with the possibility of winning a title in one of the largest and final meets of the year.
The NCAA championships in Sacramento, Calif., begin today and run until
Texas beats Florida State advances to World Series
By Clint Hale Daily Texan via U-Wire University of Texas-Austin
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — If chicks dig the long ball, then Texas baseball players Taylor Teagarden and Curtis Thigpen are going to be real popular with the ladies in Austin, Texas.
Teagarden, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and Thigpen launched back-toback home runs in Texas' 6-5 win over Florida State Monday night. With the win, the Longhorns advance to the College World Series for the second straight year.
With the score tied at 2-2 in the third, Teagarden pounded a ball to left field that landed in the parking lot and also brought in Eric Sultemeier. Thigpen then got hold of a Matt Lynch pitch, barely sending the ball over the left field wall, but good enough for a three-run advantage.
"I knew I was going to get a pitch to hit since I have so much talent batting around me," Teagarden said. "My teammates put me in good situations and make my job a lot easier."
The Seminoles got to Texas' starting pitcher Justin Simmons early in the first, when Blake Balkcom hit a scorcher down the third base line that caused problems for Sultemeier. By the time the left fielder corralled the ball, Balkcom was already at third. Catcher Tony Richie grounded to Omar Quintanilla on the next at-bat, but Texas' shortstop misplayed the ball and Balkcom scored easily. Simmons soon regained himself, retiring Danny Wardell and Jerrod Brown to keep the Longhorns' deficit at one after the top half of the first.
In the second, Chris Hart launched a home run to left on a 2-2 pitch that
stretched Florida State's lead to 2-0. Hart's bomb was the first homer given up by a Texas hurler since regional play began.
Then it was time for Texas (48-18) to get on the board.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, nine-hitter Huston Street was walked by Lynch on four pitches, which brought in Teagarden from third. Tim Moss then got plunked on a 2-2 count, bringing in Joe Ferin for the tying run. Florida State went yard again in the fifth when Richie hit a blast to left field off reliever J. Brent Cox that pulled the Seminoles within two at 6-4.
The showdown of the game came in the seventh when Richie came to the plate with two outs and a man on third. Florida State's catcher got the best of Cox, singling to center and pulling the Seminoles within one.
Closer Street nailed the door shut for Texas, keeping the Florida State lineup at bay over the final two frames and getting Richie to ground out to end the game.
"Huston Street should have a street named after him," Florida State head coach Mike Martin said of Texas' ace closer. "What a warrior he is, the way he played today."
The Seminoles (54-13-1) were without starting shortstop Stephen Drew, who strained his right hamstring in a collision during Sunday's game.
"My hamstring is at a point where I can't play. I was hoping it would feel better when I woke up this morning, but it didn't," Drew said before the game.
Texas faces Miami Saturday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb., in the first round of the 2003 College World Series.
Saturday. UF goes into the meet as a heavy favorite among other national powerhouses, such as Auburn and Louisiana State.
"We have a good chance to run for a trophy," Tom Jones UF women's coach said.
The women's team goes into the championship ranked by various track and field experts as No.1, while the men's team is ranked No.11.
Jones said he sees his team going far in the NCAAs after winning the Southeastern Conference Outdoor and the
NCAA East Regional titles.
Despite stiff competition, coaches and players expect to see history-making results that will add to an already successful season, but remain aware of the magnitude of the situation.
"I'm really proud of this group," Mike Holloway, UF men's coach said. "As long as we stay positive and focus it should all come together."
Combined, the men and women's teams are taking 26 athletes, who will compete in about 22 different events.
The Associated Press
10. (5分)