what we heard
"He couldn't have handled it any better." Carson Palmer about Jon Kitna, who lost his starting quarterback position for the Cincinnati Bengals to Palmer yesterday. off the bench
2B the university daily kansan
tuesday, march 2, 2004
Kansas athletics calendar
TODAY
Men's golf at UTSA Invitational Women's golf at Texas A&M "Mo" Morial
TOMORROW
THURSDAY
Men's basketball vs. Nebraska
Swimming and Diving at USA Sectionals Women's Basketball at Iowa State
FRIDAY
Swimming and Diving at USA Sectionals Baseball vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Tennis vs. Iowa
SATURDAY
Swimming and Diving at USA Sectionals Track and Field at Iowa State Invitational Softball at Hampton Inn/Jayhawk Classic Baseball vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee
SUNDAY
Men's Basketball at Missouri Swimming and Diving at USA Sectionals Softball at Hampton Inn/Jayhawk Classic Baseball vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BASEBALL
Royals choose base starter with no surprise or commotion
SURPRISE, Ariz. — The so-called bat tie between Desi Relaford and Tony Graffanino for the Kansas City Royals' starting second base job is over before the first spring training game.
Manager Tony Pena said yesterday that Relaford will start at second base this season — unless he loses the job to someone else. Relaford started at six different positions last season, including 83 games at second.
"Last year Desi Relaford was so valuable for our ball club because he could play everywhere."
"Right now, if the season started tomorrow, Desi Relaford is my starting second baseman," Pena said. "It's not written in stone. It's his job to lose. He needs to keep that position."
Graffanino, a free agent who played last season with the Chicago White Sox, hit .260 in 90 games last year and set career highs with 65 hits, 15 doubles and eight stolen bases.
The Associated Press
Pitcher goes back to Royals after being denied a contract
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Right-hander Kris Wilson is back with the Kansas City Royals this spring, just months after the team declined to offer him a contract, which made him a free agent.
Wilson is scheduled to pitch an intramusqu game on Wednesday.
Wilson went 6-3 with a 5.33 earned run average in 29 appearances, including four starts, last season. He was eligible for arbitration, and his salary could have hit more than $1 million.
While other teams expressed interest, Wilson chose to return to Kansas City because general manager Allard Baird told him the team wanted him and thought he could help them win.
"Basically, it came down to loyalty and where I want to be," Wilson said. "I know we have an excellent chance to win a pennant and that weighed heavily in my decision. I have a seven-year relationship with the front office staff and players."
Wilson was a 1997 ninth-round pick out of Georgia Tech, where he had a football scholarship. He made his major league debut in 2000 and has a 14-9 record with a 5.32 ERA in 90 games, including 19 starts.
Wilson began last season 5-0 before a July 22 loss against Oakland.
The Associated Press
Cardinals look to new faces to better poor relief pitching
JUPITER, Fla. — With poor relief pitching cited among the reasons the St Louis Cardinals failed in their quest for a fourth-straight Central Division title, the Cardinals hope some new faces will solidify their bullpen in the often-thankless role of middle relief.
Along with Ray King, who appeared in 80 games and went 3-4 last season at Atlanta, the Cardinals added two players from Pittsburgh — Mike Lincoln, with a 3-4 record and five saves in 36 games, and Julian Tavarez, coming off a 3-3 season with 11 saves in 64 games. Also new is rookie Evan Rust, who had 12 saves with two teams in the minor leagues.
leagues. "Those guys get their credit on the first and 15th of each month" — on payday, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Relievers don't really get stats, but what they do get is a lot of appreciation from their teammates, and they get respect from the other side if they are really good at their job."
"We don't get the fame, and we don't get the glory, but we get the respect of the manager, and that is more important than any kind of fame," King said.
King was among three pitchers acquired from Atlanta in an offseason trade that sent outfielders J. D. Drew and Eli Marrero to the Braves.
The Associated Press
Brian Kelly, Lawrence graduate student, worked out at the Student Fitness Recreation Center yesterday afternoon. Kelly regularly works out at the gym and is a full-time Lawrence police officer.
NBA
Bryant accuser to take stand answer questions on sex life
EAGLE, Colo. — Kobe Bryant's defense team can ask the 19-year-old woman accusing the basketball star of rape detailed questions about her sexual past when she makes her first appearance in court, the judge ruled yesterday.
The decision raises the likelihood of a long day for the woman when she testifies behind closed doors tomorrow. It will be the first time she will be in the same room with Bryant since the alleged attack last summer.
The defense subpoenaed the woman to testify, saying Bryant has a right to confront his accuser. The move prompted complaints from the prosecution and women's advocates that the defense is simply trying to "embarrass" and "humiliate" her.
Pullin' it together
Bryant, 25, had said the two had consensual sex. The Los Angeles Lakers star faces four years to life in prison, or 20 years to life on probation if convicted of felony sexual assault.
State District Judge Terry Ruckriegle, however, rejected a prosecution bid to limit defense questioning as he determines whether the woman's sexual conduct is relevant to the case and can be used against her.
The woman has told police that she had sex with someone two days before the alleged attack, while the defense has said she slept with "multiple" partners that week — including someone less than 15 hours after her encounter with Bryant.
The defense says the woman had a
"plan" to sleep with Bryant to attract the attention of an ex-boyfriend. Bryant's attorneys also say injuries found during a hospital exam of the woman could have been caused by other sexual partners.
The Associated Press
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Drury hires basketball coach following coach resignation
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Drury University has named Steve Hesser men's basketball coach for the 2004-2005 season.
south.
Hesser will replace Gary Stanfield, who announced his resignation in January after 13 years.
—The Associated Press
Hesser has coached at Springfield Glendale High School for five years, and had been an assistant at the University of Oklahoma and Western Illinois University. He is a 1980 graduate of Oklahoma State University.
Free for All
Call 864-0500
So you know Oklahoma is having a pathetic season when beating K-State is one of their highlights of the season. Oh, Jokelahoma. It is funny because it's sad.
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I am just siitting here watching the KU game and I saw something that I have seen since the beginning of the year. David Paddett dunked the basketball.
Did David Padgett just dunk?
Jeff Graves is the hottest guy on the KU basketball team. His attitude makes him even hotter.
Michael Lee is such a stud. He was so hot on Sunday against Oklahoma.
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KU's bench warmers remind me of the days when I used to play for the YMCA.
David Padgett: Hopefully your season will be over before spring break because you definitely need to go to Cancun and get a tan.
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David Padgett, hit the weight room buddy
I got a four-page paper to write, but I would rather think of insults about David Padgett.
The Kansan needs a Free for All just for David Padgett.
Fat Tire Pints $2.00
All Day Everyday
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