Sports
Home	\|	MLB	\|	NFL	\|	NBA	\|	NHL	\|	College Football	\|	College Basketball	\|	PGA	\|	LPGA	\|	Auto Racing

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

SEATTLE (AP) Don Wakamatsu became the first Asian-American manager in major league baseball history when he was hired Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners' 14th manager, Wakamatsu was bench coach for the Oakland Athletics last season. Before that he spent five years with the Texas Rangers.

"When I started this process, there were some key attributes we were looking for," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. "We wanted energy, a passion and the skills to translate that passion to the players. We wanted leadership, a presence that could help us as we define the 'Mariners Way' to win. We wanted someone that both the community and the players could embrace. We wanted someone who sees the big picture and cares about the players and wants to win. Don embodies all of those traits."

More News

Red Sox trade OF Crisp to Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Royals picked up the leadoff hitter they had been seeking, acquiring center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez on Wednesday. Kansas City was 12th among 14 AL teams in runs last season and added power last month, obtaining first baseman Mike Jacobs from Florida. (MORE)

Bucs top rusher Graham done for season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading rusher Earnest Graham will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right ankle during last week's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Graham limped off the field after his only carry against the Vikings. The Bucs said he hurt his ankle, but did not release specifics about the injury. (MORE)

Vikings' Allen fined $25K, not suspended
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen will not be suspended for a spate of late hits. Coach Brad Childress said he was told by the NFL that Allen will be fined $25,000, but not punished further. Allen was summoned to the league office Tuesday to talk about his play. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier went with him. (MORE)

Atty.: Hearing shows Saints steroid-free

NEW YORK (AP) The lawyer for three New Orleans Saints players facing suspension said Wednesday the NFL's independent drug adminstrator acknowledged he did not inform NFL players that the supplement StarCaps contained a banned diuretic.

During the players' appeals hearing, attorney David Cornwell said that Dr. John Lombardo's testimony proved none of his clients - Deuce McAllister, Will Smith or Charles Grant - took steroids. (MORE)

WR Williamson wants to fight Childress
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Former first-round draft pick Troy Williamson never really got along with coach Brad Childress in Minnesota. His feelings haven't changed since leaving there, either. (MORE)

A's owner: Make 1st round 1-game playoff
NEW YORK (AP) Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball's postseason: Make the first round best-of-one. "I'd make it one-game-and-you're-out for the first series," the Oakland Athletics owner said Wednesday. "It would be exciting. It would be great." (MORE)

Bad economy causes LPGA to cut 3 events
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) The LPGA Tour has become the latest pro sports organization to feel the crunch of the global economic downturn. Even while insisting next year will be "solidly profitable," the LPGA Tour announced Wednesday that it will offer three fewer tournaments in 2009 than this year, all because of sponsorship loss. Prize money also will dip by about $5 million. (MORE)

Arlington, Houston awarded Final Fours
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The NCAA says the men's basketball Final Four will be played at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington in 2014. It's also awarded the 2016 men's Final Four to Houston. Those games will be played at Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. (MORE)

Hansbrough-less UNC beats Kentucky 77-58