Former Spokane Indian Fowler dies at 84
Art Fowler, who pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 1959 championship team and became a pitching coach for five major league clubs, died Monday at his home in Spartanburg, S.C, at 84.
Fowler, as pitching coach, won World Series rings with the New York Yankees in 1977 and 1978. He pitched for the Triple-A Spokane Indians in 1958 and part of ‘59.
He worked as a pitching coach for 14 years. In addition to New York, he was with Minnesota, Detroit, Texas and Oakland.
“Jeff Weaver passed his physical and finalized a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners worth $8,325,000.
“The San Francisco Giants and Barry Bonds completed a $15.8 million, one-year contract.
“Boston Red Sox star pitcher Curt Schilling said he will not retire at the end of the 2007 season as previously indicated and plans to pitch in 2008.
“Outfielder Preston Wilson agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Right-hander Claudio Vargas and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.
Football
Army coach retires
Bobby Ross retired as Army’s coach, and without a victory over Navy in his three seasons with the Black Knights.
The 70-year-old Ross had a 9-25 record with Army and will be replaced by offensive line coach Stan Brock.
“Former Cleveland Browns coach Chris Palmer was hired by the New York Giants as quarterbacks coach.
“The Raiders hired former Atlanta offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to fill the same job in Oakland.
Miscellany
Venus set for Fed Cup
U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison said that Venus Williams, who missed the Australian Open with a left wrist injury, has committed to play in the first round April 21-22 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Fla.
Williams is scheduled to return to competition for the Diamond Games on Feb. 12-18 in Antwerp, Belgium, the U.S. Tennis Association announced.
“Michelle Wie was offered a sponsor invitation to the Kraft Nabisco Championship, among seven golf pros and six amateurs invited to the first LPGA Tour major of the year.
“Russian rower Olga Samulenkova was banned for two years for doping, and her quadruple sculls team was stripped of its 2006 world championships gold medal.
“Czech ski jumper Jan Mazoch is walking again, and doctors gave him a “realistic chance” of returning to his sport after critical injuries in a crash at a World Cup meet on Jan. 20 in Zakopane, Poland.
“Italian skier Davide Simoncelli fell during training in Val di Fassa, Italy, and tore a ligament in his right knee.