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Sports briefs

By MARC TOPKIN, BRANT JAMES, Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 15, 2000

Rays retain coach in Durham

The Devil Rays expect to have a young team of home-grown prospects at Triple-A Durham this season, but they'll have an experienced hand to guide them.

The Rays said Thursday that Bill Evers, 46, will return to manage the Bulls for the fourth straight season. Evers, who led the Bulls to a 325-242 record and three playoff berths, will be joined again by pitching coach Joe Coleman, coach Mako Oliveras and trainer Paul Harker.

"For me, going back to Durham is not bad," Evers said. "It's a good situation. There's going to be younger players and I think having had some success there will make it easier for the younger players."

Also, Tony Fiore, 29, who pitched in 11 games for the Rays last season, agreed to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

MORE BASEBALL: Right-hander Curt Schilling and the Diamondbacks agreed to a $32-million, three-year extension through 2004, the Cubs announced a $5-million, two-year contract with closer Tom Gordon, and reliever Mike Jackson agreed to a $250,000, one-year contract with the Astros. Clearing room at shortstop for Alex Rodriguez, the Rangers sent Royce Clayton to the White Sox for pitchers Aaron Myette and Brian Schmack. The Cardinals dealt Fernando Tatis and right-hander Britt Reames to the Expos for Dustin Hermanson and Steve Kline. ... Ramon Aviles will manage the Clearwater Phillies, whose staff includes coach John Morris and pitching coach Carlos Arroyo.

Alabama hires ex-UNC coach

Alabama hired former North Carolina coach Carl Torbush as defensive coordinator Thursday.

Torbush joins the staff of new Crimson Tide coach Dennis Franchione. He was fired by the Tar Heels on Nov. 20 after the college football team went 6-5 in his third season.

"Carl Torbush is one of the premier defensive coordinators in the nation, and is a coach who is familiar with the SEC," Franchione said.

MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Gary Patterson, the defensive coordinator-turned-incoming coach, will guide TCU in the Mobile Bowl Wednesday instead of predecessor Franchione. Georgia Tech coach George O'Leary signed a six-year contract for about $1.1-million a year. His annual package includes a $270,000 base salary, $366,000 from radio and television shows, $150,000 from apparel agreements and $250,000 for speaking engagements to alumni groups. Michigan captain James Whitley has been dismissed from the team after his arrest on a concealed weapon charge. Mississippi State linebacker Barris Grant, who was redshirted because of a knee injury, has a spinal cord disorder that will end his career.

HORSES: Tampa Bay Downs management and representatives of the Tampa Bay Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association held contract discussions that both sides deemed ineffective. "It was a complete impasse," TBHBPA president Leonard Alexander said. Downs general manager John Grady said the meeting was bogged down by demands from horsemen. "You can't negotiate successfully with 13 items on the table," he said. "They had nine and we had four and a lot of theirs could have been worked out a long time ago." Grady said a full card is planned for the first day of the track's meet Saturday. ... Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Chris Antley had cuts and bruises when he was found dead in his home, and drugs were discovered in another room, according to police homicide reports.

AUTOS: Benetton Formula One driver Giancarlo Fisichella is scheduled for surgery to repair his knee next week. Former open-wheel driver Willy T. Ribbs will drive a truck owned by Winston Cup driver Bobby Hamilton in the 2001 NASCAR series.

... Hungary's Formula One Grand Prix could be in jeopardy after the Hungarian parliament banned cigarette advertising.

GOLF: Tiger Woods, Karrie Webb and Larry Nelson are players of the year on the PGA, LPGA and Senior tours by the Golf Writers Association of America. ... PGA Tour prize money will rise to about $180-million in 2001, an increase of about $23-million.

OLYMPICS: Track and field star Marion Jones, wrestler Rulon Gardner and the U.S. baseball team are the USOC's top sportswoman, sportsman and team of the year. ... Spain's Paralympic basketball team is returning gold medals from Sydney because 10 of 12 players had no mental handicaps.

SOCCER: The U.S. men's national team will face China and former coach Bora Milutinovic on Jan. 27 in Oakland. ... D.C. United has been taken over by the MLS. Three other teams -- Tampa Bay, Dallas and San Jose -- also operate without an investor-operator.

VOLLEYBALL: Nebraska beat Hawaii 15-3, 15-12, 9-15, 15-10 and Wisconsin beat Southern California 15-10, 15-9, 15-9 to advance to Saturday's NCAA Division I title game.

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