In brief: Allenby takes early lead; Mickelson debuts
Robert Allenby got the benefit of a late-morning tee time and went on a birdie binge in the afternoon Wednesday on the way to a 9-under-par 63 and a two-shot lead in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Palm Desert, Calif.
Mark Calcavecchia and Craig Kanada were tied for second at 65. Phil Mickelson made his 2007 debut with a 70, and defending champion Chad Campbell also had a 70 at the 7,060-yard La Quinta Country Club.
College Football
USF running back dies after collapsing
South Florida running back Keeley Dorsey died after collapsing during a team conditioning workout at the school’s athletic facility in Tampa, Fla.
The 19-year-old freshman died at University Community Hospital. He was given first aid before he was taken to the hospital.
“Former North Carolina State coach Chuck Amato is returning to Florida State as part of Bobby Bowden’s major overhaul of his staff.
“Dallas Cowboys assistant coach David Lee has left Bill Parcells’ staff to return to Arkansas as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Baseball
Impressed by Sosa, Rangers offer contract
Despite being out of baseball since 2005, Sammy Sosa showed enough pop in his bat to get an offer from the Texas Rangers.
The 38-year-old Sosa, 12 home runs shy of 600, last played with the Baltimore Orioles. The seven-time All-Star hit .221 with 14 homers.
“The Pittsburgh Pirates landed a deal for Atlanta Braves power hitter Adam LaRoche when they agreed to acquire the first baseman for left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez.
“Left-hander Chris Capuano and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
“Former major league star Fred McGriff was hired as a special adviser by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Miscellany
Sampras joins tennis Hall of Fame
Pete Sampras was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, joined in the 2007 class by Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Sven Davidson and Russ Adams in Newport, R.I.
Sampras owns a record 14 men’s singles Grand Slam championships and was ranked No. 1 for a record 286 weeks, including 102 in a row from April 1996 to March 1998.
“Kevin Ryan, the federal prosecutor who has led the high-profile BALCO steroids investigation, announced he’s stepping down.
“The Women’s Basketball Officiating Consortium ruled that the game officials made a mistake in counting the game-winning basket in South Dakota State’s victory over Minnesota on Sunday.
“David Vanole, a goalkeeper who started for the United States at the 1988 Olympics and helped the Americans qualify for the 1990 World Cup, died in Salt Lake City during a skiing vacation. He was 43.