Auto Racing
Keith Rodden is new Kahne crew chief
CONCORD, N.C. – Kasey Kahne will have a new crew chief in 2015, ending the second-longest active pairing in the Sprint Cup Series.
Hendrick Mostorsports selected Keith Rodden as crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet on Wednesday, and Kenny Francis moved into the new position of vehicle technical director.
Kahne had one win this season to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship and finished 15th in the final standings.
Cycling
UCI suspends 4th Astana rider for doping positive
AIGLE, Switzerland – The International Cycling Union provisionally suspended a fourth rider from Kazakhstan linked to the Astana team for a positive doping test.
The UCI announced the case against Victor Okishev, as its license commission reviews whether Astana meets the ethical criteria to keep its status as a top-tier team next season.
The star rider for Kazakh government-backed Astana is Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, the Tour de France champion.
The UCI said Okishev tested positive for an anabolic steroid at the Asian Championships in his home country in May. Okishev, who rides for Astana’s lower-tier development squad, won the under-23 time trial.
MLB
Butler and A’s finalize $30-million, 3-year deal
OAKLAND, Calif. – Billy Butler came so close to winning it all with Kansas City that it stings to be leaving his only professional team after such a special run – and with some unfinished business.
Then, the Oakland Athletics came calling when his old club did not, and Butler is someone who prides himself in loyalty – in this case to A’s general manager Billy Beane’s persistence and interest in striking a quick deal.
The versatile Butler finalized a $30-million, three-year contract with the A’s on Wednesday. He receives a $5-million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31, a $5-million salary next year and $10 million in each of the final two seasons.
A steady and productive hitter for most of his career, Butler is coming off a down season. He batted .271 with nine home runs and 66 runs batted in in 151 games this year, 108 of those as a DH.
NBA
Collins, NBA’s 1st openly gay player, to retire
NEW YORK – Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to play in one of the four major North American professional leagues, announced his retirement Wednesday after 13 years in the NBA.
The 35-year-old Collins disclosed his plans in a first-person story for Sports Illustrated. It’s the same forum he used in April, 2013, to publicly reveal his sexuality. He joined the Brooklyn Nets in February and played 22 games for the team but was not on the roster this season.
Women’s College Basketball
New Mexico’s Walker dismissed from team
ALBUQUERQUE – The captain of the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team was dismissed from the team after being accused and arrested of assaulting her boyfriend.
Lobos’ head coach Yvonne Sanchez said Wednesday that her decision to dismiss Ebony Walker was “made with thoughtful consideration” for the program and for Walker, whom Sanchez called a good person.
A criminal complaint said Walker threw a knife at her boyfriend after they argued at her apartment Nov. 4.
Associated Press
