For the Record
Admitted
In federal court last Thursday that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 1997 to 2001, former Olympic sprinter Antonio Pettigrew (above). Pettigrew, 40, who was part of the U.S.'s gold-medal-winning 4x400-meter relay team at the 2000 Games, was testifying against his former coach Trevor Graham, who is on trial for allegedly lying to investigators in the BALCO case. Pettigrew, who retired from track in 2002, said on the stand that he began using HGH and EPO at Graham's suggestion. The IOC could now strip Pettigrew and his relay teammates of their gold medals.
Died
In an Atlanta jail last Saturday, Kirk Wright, a former hedge fund manager who was convicted on May 21 of defrauding clients—including several NFL players—out of millions of dollars (SI, April 3, 2006). Wright, 37, who was to be sentenced in August and faced as many as 710 years in prison, hanged himself. From 2003 through '05 Wright was endorsed as a financial adviser by the NFL players union. He took in $150 million from players and other clients and spent millions on jewelry, real estate and luxury vehicles for himself. A lawsuit filed by a group of current and former players against the NFL and the NFLPA for endorsing Wright is pending.
Died
At age 95, Lloyd Moore (left), NASCAR's oldest living former driver. Moore drove in 49 races from 1949 to '55, competing in what was then known as the Grand National Series and recording 23 top 10 finishes. His only victory came in Winchester, Ind., in 1950. "We just stuck a number on the side, took 'em down and raced 'em," Moore said last year. "Today they talk about putting in a half-pound of air. When we raced, we just made sure we had air in the tires."
Announced
By Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, that defensive end Jason Taylor is not expected to attend Dolphins training camp, likely indicating that Taylor's 11-year tenure with the team is over. The six-time Pro Bowler also reportedly wants to be traded. Taylor—who finished second to Kristi Yamaguchi on Dancing with the Stars on May 20—has reportedly angered Miami management with his off-the-field pursuits this off-season. In addition to appearing on Dancing, Taylor, an aspiring actor, missed a voluntary minicamp last weekend because he was in Los Angeles meeting with Hollywood executives.
Announced
By NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, that he has begun testing his team's Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series drivers and crew chiefs for drug use. After hearing former Craftsman driver Aaron Fike admit last month that he used heroin on race days, Harvick instituted his own testing program on top of NASCAR's substance abuse policy. "I'm 99 percent sure that everybody in the Cup garage is clean," Harvick said. "I just want the perception to be known of how the drug testing is done."
Planned
By Major League Baseball, a test of instant replay in the Arizona Fall League to resolve disputed home run calls. Last November general managers voted at their annual meeting to recommend the use of replay for cases of fan interference and borderline homers, but the issue came to a head last week after three controversial umpire rulings on home runs. If the Fall League test goes smoothly, replay could be implemented for major league games as soon as this year's postseason.
Objected
To a promotion in which Red Sox slugger David Ortiz will try to hit a called-shot home run at this year's All-Star Home Run Derby, the Yankees. In a nod to Babe Ruth's called shot in the 1932 World Series, State Farm and Major League Baseball will ask a fan to pick a spot in the Yankee Stadium stands. (Ruth hit his famous homer at Wrigley Field.) If Ortiz hits the target, the fan will win a car and season tickets for any team. According to The New York Times, the Yankees are upset that a Red Sox player would be asked to perform a stunt inspired by a Yankees icon, at Yankee Stadium.
They Said It
BRIAN BANNISTER
Royals pitcher, on why he has better stats in day games than in night games:
"The hitters tell me my fastball looks faster when they're still a little hung over."
SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE
The St. Paul Saints, whose stadium is eight miles from where Sen. Larry Craig was arrested last year, held a "bobblefoot" giveaway: Fans got a model of a bathroom stall with a tapping foot dangling below the door.
PHOTO
MARK DUNCAN/AP (BANNISTER)
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ST. PAUL SAINTS (BOBBLEFOOT)
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RACING ONE/GETTY IMAGES (MOORE)
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BOB MARTIN (PETTIGREW)