In brief: Cardinals part ways with GM Jocketty

Walt Jocketty is out after 13 seasons as general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, one year after the team won the World Series for the first time since 1982.

Team president Mark Lamping said Jocketty’s departure with a year remaining on his contract was a mutual decision, and that he’d be paid. Team CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. said Jocketty and the Cardinals had “cordially and respectfully parted ways.”

It’s unclear how Jocketty’s departure affects the status of manager Tony La Russa, whose contract expired after the season. Jocketty hired La Russa in 1996.

“The Houston Astros hired former Spokane Indians manager Ed Romero (1992) as their third-base coach.

Basketball

New deal for Howland

UCLA coach Ben Howland, who has guided the Bruins to consecutive Final Four appearances, has agreed to a new seven-year contract.

“A federal judge in Bozeman, Mont., has dismissed all but one of the complaints in a lawsuit filed by Robin Potera-Haskins after she was fired as women’s coach at Montana State University. She can sue for sexual discrimination.

“Orlando Magic forward Tony Battie will undergo rotator cuff surgery likely to end his season.

“Cavaliers guard Shannon Brown said he was involved in an altercation with a security guard at a downtown Cleveland nightclub that started after he was escorted from the bar for wearing a hat. No charges were filed.

Auto racing

Haas hires Riggs

Scott Riggs was hired to drive for Haas CNC Racing, in a car to be determined later. Riggs will replace Jeff Green in the No. 66 or Johnny Sauter in the No. 70, the team said.

“Mike Bumgarner, crew chief for the No. 5 Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined $10,000 for using an unapproved intake manifold last weekend at Kansas Speedway.

“Dario Franchitti made his switch to NASCAR official, signing a deal with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Miscellany

Beckham practices

David Beckham, sidelined since injuring his knee in a soccer game Aug. 29, returned to practice with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“Ever so slightly, graduation rates for men’s Division I basketball, baseball and football players continue to rise. The overall rate for men and women in all sports remained at 77 percent, but rates for the three poorest-performing groups of athletes – men’s basketball, football and baseball – showed slight improvements for a second consecutive year.