Newsmakers
Called Oakland Athletics prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to enter the priesthood. Desme, 23, was considered one of the top prospects in Oakland’s system. “It’s about a 10-year process,” he said. In a way, he added, it’s like “re-entering the minor leagues.”
Pledged Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol was one of 10 NBA players donating $1,000 for every point he scored Friday to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. The players taking part, all clients of the Wasserman Media Group, included Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose, Atlanta All-Star Joe Johnson, rookie Tyreke Evans of Sacramento and Washington veteran Antawn Jamison. Former President Bill Clinton was at the Lakers’ game against the Knicks and announced the program at halftime during an ESPN interview.
Sentenced Professional golfer Jim Thorpe has been sentenced to a year in prison for failing to pay more than $2 million in income taxes. Thorpe must turn himself in to authorities by April 1. The golfer also was sentenced to two years of supervised release and 200 hours of community service. He must try to repay the taxes while he’s on supervised release.
Awarded Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn and Nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick are the U.S. Olympic Committee’s sportswoman and sportsman of the year. Steven Holcomb’s four-man bobsled team was team of the year.
Extended Wisconsin has extended football coach Bret Bielema’s contract through Jan. 31, 2015, after the Badgers finished the season ranked 16th and won the Champs Sports Bowl. Bielema is 38-14 in four seasons.
Withdrawn An attorney for Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs says the mother of Suggs’ two children has withdrawn a $70 million lawsuit against him, and the two are trying to reconcile. Candace Williams had accused Suggs of striking her on two occasions, breaking her nose the first time and spilling bleach on her during the second altercation. Suggs denied any wrongdoing and was not charged with a crime.
Ailing Houston Texans rookie Brian Cushing will not play in the Pro Bowl because of several injuries. The linebacker dealt with foot, knee and rib injuries, as well as a broken finger, this season.