Thursday, July 18, 2002

ARRESTED: Derrick Rodgers, Miami Dolphins MIAMI -- Associated Press reports Miami Dolphins linebacker Derrick Rodgers kicked and punched his wife, and used a metal chair to hit a man with her at a South Beach restaurant Thursday afternoon. Rodgers was charged with aggravated battery, simple battery and resisting arrest without violence. He was taken to Miami-Dade County Jail, where police said he would remain until a bond hearing Friday. 10:46:16 PM    comment []

SUSPENDED: Dale Carter, New Orleans Saints NEW YORK --  ESPN reports Saints cornerback Dale Carter has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL after a low amount of alcohol was found in his system twice this spring. Carter, who was suspended from April 25, 2000, to Nov. 6, 2001 for violation of the substance abuse policy, could be back this season if he applies for reinstatement and league drug counselors and commissioner Paul Tagliabue grant his request. 10:41:05 PM    comment []

SHOTS FIRED UPDATE: Troy Hudson, Orlando Magic MAITLAND, Fla. -- Associated Press reports a home invasion that resulted in a shooting death at Orlando Magic guard Troy Hudson's home last month was drug-related, with a "wholesale amount" of an unspecified narcotic discovered in the dead victim's car. 10:34:19 PM    comment []

HEARING DELAYED: Allen Iverson PHILADELPHIA -- Associated Press reports a judge granted a week's delay Thursday for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to try Allen Iverson on charges he threatened two men while armed with a gun. 10:25:28 PM    comment []

LATE PAYMENTS: Tampa Bay Devil Rays NEW YORK -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, said to be having cash-flow problems earlier this year, were more than two weeks late before making nearly $1 million in deferred payments to Steve Trachsel and Gerald Williams, several baseball officials told the Associated Press. 10:22:52 PM    comment []

GO FIGURE: NFL Cap Rules NEW YORK -- NY Post reports "quirk" in NFL salary cap rules are keeping the Giants and reserve QB Jason Garrett from completing a deal they both want done. Bonus point for readers who can actually figure this out. 7:51:17 PM    comment []

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE: New Jersey Nets NEW YORK -- NY Daily News reports the New Jersey Nets, fresh off a rare appearance in the NBA finals, are raising ticket prices for the 2002-2003 by as much as 62% from last season for certain seats. In fact, all the seats at the Meadowlands except for the cheapest ones have been raised by at least 16%. A ticket that cost $80 last season will now be $125. 7:43:36 PM    comment []

NO CHARGES: Al Unser, Jr., race car driver INDIANAPOLIS -- Associated Press reports that just hours after prosecutors said he would not face criminal charges on accusations that he hit his girlfriend and left her stranded along a highway, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser Jr. said he will seek treatment for alcohol abuse and won't race for the next several weeks. 7:30:02 PM    comment []

SUED: MLB Umpires NEW YORK -- Associated Press reports MLB sued its umpires on Thursday, asking a federal judge for a court order allowing it to discipline John Hirschbeck for telling a member of his crew not to warn a pitcher for intentionally throwing at a batter. 7:23:54 PM    comment []

ARRESTED: Marvel Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers TEMPE, Ariz. -- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Steelers starting offensive tackle Marvel Smith could face a possible fine or suspension from the NFL for his arrest in Arizona on a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana. Smith, who tested positive for marijuana use at Arizona State in 1996, was arrested Friday night in his motel room across the street from the Tempe city police headquarters. 1:24:41 PM    comment []

BANNED: Perriss Wilkins, British discus record holder BIRMINGHAM, England -- Associated Press reports British discus record holder Perriss Wilkins was banned for two years Thursday after testing positive for anabolic steroids. 1:19:57 PM    comment []

SUSPENDED: Kirk O'Bee, U.S. cyclist COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Associated Press reports American cyclist Kirk O'Bee was given a one-year suspension by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for anabolic steroids. 1:17:57 PM    comment []