ST. LOUIS — Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona interviewed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for their vacant managerial position.
The interview took place in Cincinnati, where Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. lives.
St. Louis is seeking a replacement for Tony La Russa, who retired two days after winning his second World Series in 16 seasons with the Cardinals.
More interviews are planned for today, believed to be with third-base coach Jose Oquendo and Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, who managed the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A team last season.
• The Red Sox are expected to interview Torey Lovullo, Gene Lamont and Sandy Alomar Jr. this week for their managerial opening.
• Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux is scheduled to interview with the Chicago Cubs today in their search for a new manager.
• Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon was acquitted of an involuntary manslaughter charge in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Lavin attends first St. John’s practice
NEW YORK — Steve Lavin attended St. John’s basketball practice, his first since undergoing prostate cancer surgery Oct. 6.
Former Metro State coach and Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap has run the team in Lavin’s absence. The school said there is no definite timetable for Lavin’s full-time return.
“I’m definitely feeling closer to full strength and eager for a return to the sidelines,” Lavin said.
• Oral Roberts senior guard Ken Holdman is likely lost for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Notre Dame loses center Cave for season
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Notre Dame offensive line, which hasn’t surrendered a sack in more than six weeks, lost starting center Braxston Cave for the remainder of the season. Coach Brian Kelly said Cave will have surgery this week to repair a foot ligament.
• Stanford receiver Chris Owusu has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Oregon as he recovers from his latest concussion, and there’s no telling when — or if — he’ll be back on the field this season.
• Weber State coach Ron McBride will retire at the end of this season after nearly five decades on the sidelines for more than a half-dozen football programs.
Footnotes.
State senators voted to let the University of North Dakota scrap its Fighting Sioux athletics nickname, but ordered the school to wait three years to pick a replacement for a name that the NCAA says is offensive to American Indians. The state Senate voted 39-7 to approve the legislation, sending it to the House, where it is expected to win approval.
• New Jersey voters, by a 65 percent to 35 percent margin, with nearly 90 percent of precincts reporting, approved a law that would allow the state to legalize the right to bet on football, baseball and other sports, provided a federal ban is lifted. Gov. Chris Christie has endorsed the proposal.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired center Mark Letestu from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth- round pick in next year’s NHL draft.
• Kenny Perry made nine birdies and led Champions Tour teammates Jay Haas and Mark Calcavecchia to the title at the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge in Henderson, Nev.
• Sprinter Carmelita Jeter and high jumper Jesse Williams captured the Jesse Owens Award as the outstanding U.S. track and field athletes of the year.
• Sporting Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong, who had five goals and five assists in 2011, was voted Major League Soccer’s rookie of the year.
The Associated Press
