Newsmakers

Dropped The NCAA dropped a charge directed at Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez, a person with knowledge of the ruling has told The Associated Press. The NCAA accused Michigan of five major rules violations related to exceeding practice and workout time.

Debilitated Former manager Sparky Anderson, the all-time leader among Detroit Tigers skippers in victories, visibility and inimitable quotations, has been placed in hospice care, according to a statement released from his family. Anderson is 76. The family said Anderson was suffering from complications resulting from dementia and he was at his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Ruled A Texas county medical examiner ruled out trauma and foul play in the death of surfing champion Andy Irons. Irons was found dead Tuesday in a hotel room at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport during a layover en route to his home on Kauai.

Announced Two years after being punched in the face in a collision with Los Angeles goalkeeper Steve Cronin while heading in a shot for the MLS’ New England Revolution, Taylor Twellman announced he was retiring because of the effects of the concussion.

Sidelined Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf is out four to six weeks after surgery to repair a “significant” laceration on his left leg.

Signed NASCAR team owner Rusty Wallace landed a new sponsor for Nationwide driver Brendan Gaughan for the final race of the season at Homestead. The agreement is with Aspen Dental of Syracuse, N.Y., for Gaughan’s No. 62 Toyota.

Died Former baseball player, coach, manager and front-office man Clyde King died Tuesday in Goldsboro, N.C. He was 86. King pitched with Brooklyn and Cincinnati during a seven-year big-league career. King managed the 1969 San Francisco Giants to a 90-72 record. King took over the Atlanta Braves in the midst of the 1974 season and was the last of three managers to lead the New York Yankees in 1982.