Newsmakers

Hired Former All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura is replacing the fiery Ozzie Guillen as manager of the Chicago White Sox. Ventura agreed to a multiyear deal on Thursday. A longtime star with the White Sox, Ventura was hired by the club last June as a special adviser to director of player development Buddy Bell. Ventura is the 39th White Sox manager overall, including 17 who played for the team.

Dismissed A judge in Minneapolis threw out a felony charge against the brother of hockey enforcer Derek Boogaard, saying the facts didn’t support the accusation in the player’s overdose death earlier this year. Aaron Boogaard, 24, was accused of giving his brother an oxycodone pill at the start of a night of partying that led to Boogaard’s death May 13 at age 28.

• Track and field star LaShawn Merritt was pessimistic about the chances of defending his Olympic title in London. The 400-meter champion figured it would be difficult to overturn a doping rule that banned him from the next summer games. But the Court of Arbitration for Sport threw out the IOC rule that bars any athlete who has received a doping suspension of more than six months from competing in the next summer or winter games.

Suspended Colorado football coach Jon Embree suspended five defensive players indefinitely for violating unspecified team rules. The suspended players include defensive backs Josh Moten, Ayodeji Olatoye, Parker Orms and Paul Vigo, along with linebacker Liloa Nobriga.

Arrested The father and uncle of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney were arrested in London as part of an investigation into betting irregularities at a Scottish Premier League soccer match.

Hosted First lady Michelle Obama hosted the U.S. women’s national soccer team at the White House to promote physical activity and healthier eating for children.

Announced Former Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton announced that he has accepted a new job as president of U.S. operations for Nashville-based Blood:Water Mission. The nonprofit organization works to provide clean water and to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa.