Quad-City Times from Davenport, Iowa • 28

f0 QUAIKITY TIMES Tuesday, January 24, 2006 SPORTS www.qctImes.comsports BASEBALL ON TAP Home January 'i Tue.24 WEa25 Thu.26 Fri.27 Cubs, Wade Miller agree to one year deal AwayQ Sat. 28 Sun. 29 his first major change since he took control of the team. O'Brien was entering his third season as general manager and had a year to go on his contract. The Reds are coming off their fifth consecutive losing season, their longest such streak in 50 years.

Braves sign Remlinger ATLANTA Reliever Mike Remlinger is returning to the Atlanta Braves, agreeing to a minor league contract that would pay him $700,000 if he's added to the major-league roster. Remlinger, who will be 40 by opening day, pitched four years with the Braves and made the All-Star team in 2002. He left after that season for a three-year, $10.65 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, but never had as much success as he did in Atlanta. Berkman to have surgery HOUSTON Houston Astros out league seasons, going 16-8 in 2001 and 15-4 in 2002. He is 62-43 with five complete games and a 3.98 ERA during his career.

Bonds out of Classic SAN FRANCISCO Barry Bonds pulled out of the World Baseball Classic, saying he didn't want to risk an injury that could jeopardize perhaps his final season with the San Francisco Giants. The star slugger had three operations on his troublesome right knee last year and missed most of the 2005 season. Still, he was Included on the preliminary United States roster for the inaugural 16-nation tournament, scheduled for March 3-20. Reds fire GM CINCINNATI General manager Dan O'Brien was fired Monday by new Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini, Mara Ohio State 8 p.m. 7:06 pm.

ESPN KWOC I I I I Minnesota Purdue 8 p.m. 3:30 p.m. KUUl KWQC Missouri Kansas 7 pm. 11a.m. WBQD ESPN Muskegon Adirondack Port Huron 6:30 m.

7 p.m. 1 p.m. WFXN WFXN WFXN 1 1 1 1 1 Washington Atlanta IT 7:30 7:30 p.m. 6pm- I CSC WGN 1 I i I 1 Ticket Information Iowa: (800) IAHAWKS Illinois: (866) IIIINI1 Iowa State: (888) 478-2925 CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Wade Miller agreed Monday to a one-year contract that will pay $1 million in salary and up to another $1 million in bonuses based on the number of starts he makes. Bothered by shoulder problems, the 29-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 16 starts in his lone season with the Boston Red Sox.

He spent the first five weeks and the final two months on the disabled list, and the Cubs expect him to miss at least the first month of this season. Miller was with the Houston Astros for his first six major Hit 1 Li-. Si ihftv. Toronto's Matt Bonner can't the first half Sunday. Bryant NBA TVRADIO TODAY Men's College Basketball 6 p.m Kentucky at Auburn; ESPN 8p.m Indiana at Iowa; ESPN NHL 7 p.m Phoenix at Minnesota; OLN Tennis 1 p.m Australian Open, men's and women's quarterfinals, at Melbourne, Australia (same-day tape); ESPN2 9 p.m Australian Open, men's and women's quarterfinals, at Melbourne, Australia; ESPN2 SPORTS IN BRIEF Nardiello reinstated as skeleton coach What's next for Kobe, 100? fielder Lance Berkman was scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday.

The procedure is to clean up minor scar tissue that developed in his right knee after surgery in November 2004, Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. Tampa re-signs Fossum ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Left-hander Casey Fossum avoided arbitration with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when he agreed to a $4.55 million, two-year contract that includes a club option for 2008. Bagwell insured HOUSTON The Houston Astros intend to file a health insurance claim on Jeff Bagwell's contract, arguing that the four-time All-Star is too hurt to play this season.

Bagwell is guaranteed about $17 million in 2006 whether he plays or not. But if he retires or is deemed unable to play, the Astros can file the claim by Jan. 31 and collect $15.6 million. AUSTRALIA OPEN Hingis advances to Aussie quarters MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Martina Hingis' comeback has gone so smoothly that she's in the Australian Open quarterfinals following a three-year layoff. Back on the tour for just three weeks, the three-time Australian Open champion advanced Monday with a 6-1, 7-6 (8) victory over Samantha Stosur 6-1, 7-6 (8) and will Hingis face second-seeded Kim Cli-jsters.

Hingis needed four match points to beat Stosur. The five-time Grand Slam winner, who dropped off the tour because of ankle, heel and foot injuries, returned to competitive tennis Jan. 2 and hasn't lost a set at this tournament. "I started off very well, I knew that I had to be right there from the start we both probably were very nervous," Hingis said. "I knew I couldn't give her any momentum." On the men's side, top-ranked Roger Federer overcame an uncharacteristic 58 errors In his 6-4, 6-0, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 fourth-round win over Tommy Haas.

Hingis was in vintage form, working Stosur around with angled volleys, drop shots, pinpoint lobs and a stunning, running forehand crosscourt winner. But the 25-year-old twice missed chances to serve for the match in the second set and wasting three match points in the tiebreaker before converting on a Stosur error. "I played really well the first 1 Vi sets," she said. Stosur was the last Aussie in the draw and had the partisan crowd on her side. Clusters of people in pink shirts emblazoned with "Smash 'em Sam" and waving inflatable kangaroos chanted for her from the stands.

Hingis became a favorite at Melbourne when she won her first Grand Slam title at age 16 and won three finals in succession. She lost three in a row from 2000 to 2002, including an 02 defeat to Jennifer Capriati when she wasted four match points. I MOVIE night Ouad-City Mallards: (563) 326-1 1 1 1 Chicago Bulls: (800) 462-2849 restoration product. Security costs at $107 million: Italy has spent $107 million on security for the Turin Olympics and expects to spend more during the coming weeks, the interior minister said. Italian officials are "reasonably optimistic" that they can thwart any terrorist threats during the Feb.

10-26 Winter Games, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu said. NHL Leaf suffers concussion Toronto Maple Leafs defense-man Carlo Colaiacovo sustained a concussion and was taken off the ice on a stretcher after his head struck the boards following a collision with Ottawa's Vaclav Varada. Colaiacovo was about to hip check Varada, who appeared to recognize that at the last moment and attempted to avoid the hit. The collision sent Colaiacovo flying headfirst into the boards, and he lay motionless on the ice following the impact. Running Top marathons form series Five of the top marathons have combined to create a two-year series that will award $500,000 to the men's and women's winners.

Organizers of the Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City marathons said that the World Marathon Majors series is intended to increase the profile of the 26.2-mile races. The Olympic and world championship marathons also will count in the series, which starts with the Boston Marathon on April 17. "Our races are to our sport what Wimbledon and the Australian, U.S. and French Opens are to tennis," New York City Marathon race director Mary Wittenberg said. Paula Radcliffe, winner of the London, Chicago and New York marathons, said the move was a "big step forward" for the sport "Having experienced three of the events involved, I'm convinced that their combined expertise will help the sport immensely," Radcliffe said.

BLEACHERS ST 'A 1 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from getting to the basket in beat the Raptors 122-104. into something pretty special." Indeed, it did as Bryant recorded just the 10th game ever of at least 70 points. "He couldn't be stopped tonight," Raptors guard Mike James said. "He basically beat us by himself." After the game was over, and before he met with reporters, Bryant's cell phone rang. The caller was Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

"For him to just call me and tell me what a great game it was and how proud of me he is meant more to me than the 81 points," Bryant said. Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who coached the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s, said Bryant's single-game performance surpassed anything Jordan ever did on a given night. "That was something to behold it was another level," Jackson said. Fan won't sue Davis CHICAGO The Chicago Bulls fan whose confrontation with Antonio Davis' wife led the Knicks forward to rush into the stands will not sue the player and his family. Michael Axelrod's attorney, Jay Paul Deratany, said in a telephone interview: "Both sides expressed regret for any mis-communication that occurred.

Both parties want to move forward with being a fan and watching the game and being a ballplayer. They've expressed their regret, and that's good enough for the family. And we're satisfied with the result." Marion will play for U.S. PHOENIX Phoenix Suns All-Star Shawn Marion says he will be part of the U.S. team being put together for this year's world championships and the 2008 Olympics.

Marion said that he has been told by the head of USA Basketball, Jerry Colangelo, that he will be among those selected to the team. TT FREE XXX DVD -a x- Bryant Lakers stop Los Angeles' Kobe scored 81 points as the ON THE COURT Hawks 104, Pacers 94: Trailing 56-48 at halftime, Atlanta rallied in the second half for a victory over Indiana. Celtics 91 Hornets 78: Ricky Davis scored 17 of his 32 points in the third quarter to help Boston. Nuggets 107, Raptors 101: Carmelo Anthony's 37 were enough to lead the Nuggets to their sixth straight win. Jazz 89, Nets 78: Andrei Kinlenko had 21 points and 13 rebounds to help Utah overcome Jason Kidd's triple-double.

Rockets 97, Bucks 80: Tracy McGrady scored 41 points, including 14 straight in the fourth quarter. The Associated Press the foul line while playing all 48 minutes. He averaged an NBA-record 50.4 points per game that season. Bryant, playing a little less than 42 minutes, shot 28-of-46 from the floor, including 7-of-13 from 3-point range and 18-of-20 from the foul line. He raised his NBA-leading average to 35.9 points.

If the season ended now, that would be the highest average since Michael Jordan scored 37.1 points per game 19 years ago. Bryant appeared on his way to 80 a month ago, scoring a then-career high 62 in a win over Dallas. He sat out the fourth quarter because the outcome was decided after three. Not so Sunday night. The Raptors led by as many as 18 in the third period, and that more than anything triggered Bryant's scoring explosion, which led to a 122-104 Los Angeles victory.

"We have four days off coming up here, and I would be sick as a dog if we would have lost this game," he said. "I just wanted to step up and inspire us to play well, and it turned NOTEBOOK Toyota enters Cup race CONCORD, N.C. (AP) Toyota is planning to move up to NASCAR's top two stock car series. The Japanese automaker, which has competed in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series the past two seasons, announced Monday it also will run its Camry brand in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series in 2007. Toyota will become the first foreign competitor in NASCAR's top series since Jaguar ran in several races in the 1950s.

He obviously realizes how important it is that this track gain statewide acceptance and popularity, and he's hoping an hour here and an hour there will help achieve that goal. It might not be quite that easy. But if he can keep to this schedule, he probably can do anything. Don Doxsie can be contacted at (563) 383-2280 or ddoxsieeqtimes.com. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tim Nardiello was reinstated as the U.S.

skeleton coach Monday night, hours after an arbitrator found no evidence to support claims that he sexually harassed two team members. Still up in the air is whether U.S. Olympic officials will allow him to coach at the Turin Games next month. A U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation board member, speaking on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement was planned until today, told The Associated Press that the federation lifted Nardiello's suspension during a meeting Monday night.

The decision was effective immediately. Nardiello said he hopes to find a flight in time to rejoin the team for the season's final World Cup skeleton race in Altenberg, Germany, on Thursday and Friday. The U.S. Olympic Committee will not announce until later this week if Nardiello will coach the four American sliders and his reinstatement will not affect the USOC's decision. "I want to get my team back together and back on a winning field," NardieUo told the AP after learning of the decision.

Nardiello was suspended Dec. 31 over the harassment allegations, which he has repeatedly denied. He went to arbitration with the USBSF last week in Albany, N.Y., over the merit of those claims. Olympics Lund will race in Turin Top American skeleton racer Zach Lund will compete in next month's Turin Olympics after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued him only a public warning following a failed drug test.

Because he wasn't suspended, the U.S. Olympic Committee, which approves the delegation for Turin, said it would credential Lund for the games. Lund tested positive for Finasteride, a banned substance often used as a steroid-masking agent, at a competition in November and was barred from the past two World Cup races. Lund said the positive result stemmed from his use of a hair- CONTACT US Sports desk Report a score: Call (563) 383-2285 or (800) 437-4648 between 6-11 p.m. Letters: 500 E.

3rd Davenport, IA 52801 or sportsqctimes.com Sports editor Don Doxsie: 383-2280, ddoxsie qctimes.com Staff writers Dearrel Bates: 383-2277, dbates qctimes.com Steve Batterson: 383-2290, sbatterson qctimes.com Craig DeVrieze: 333-2610, cdevneze qctimes.com Jon Gremmels: 383-2294, jgremmels qctimes.com Sean Moeller: 383-2288, smojllerqctimes.com IN THE Bryant on reaching century mark: 'I guess it's possible' LOS ANGELES (AP) Wilt Chamberlain's record 100-point game seemed unreachable from the time he accomplished the feat nearly 44 years ago. Perhaps it's not. Maybe Kobe Bryant can do it. "I guess it's possible. I don't know, bro'.

It's unthinkable," the Los Angeles Lakers' star said. So was 81. At least before Sunday night. But Bryant, so often unstoppable, was better than ever against the Toronto Raptors, scoring 28 of his team's 31 points in the fourth quarter to reach the second-highest single-game total in NBA history. "Not even in my dreams," he said.

Chamberlain scored 100 points when basketball was a far different game, accomplishing the feat for Philadelphia against the New York Knicks at Hershey, on March 2, 1962. There was no 3-point shot not that it would have mattered since Chamberlain was a 7-footer who dominated the middle. The 6-6 Bryant made seven from outside the arc. Defense generally was an afterthought when Chamberlain played, not that the Raptors are much good at it now, ranking near the bottom of the league in that department. Whatever the case, both performances were astonishing.

Chamberlain shot 36-of-63 from the field and 28-of-32 from DOXSIE Continued from page Dl in the fall of 2004. It now is slated to open Sept. 15 with a USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series event. But it does not have any Nextel Cup dates, and there is no guarantee that it ever will get Nextel dates, which likely are essential to its Ultimate success. Wallace, who was NASCAR's champion in 1989 and has 55 Nextel Cup wins, not only has a monetary investment in the Newton track, but he also had a great deal of input into its design.

Just as pro golfers have become major players in the creation of golf courses, Wallace helped develop what is billed as the first track to be design by and for racers. SHOWER SHOW 12am OVER 75 GIRLS 3680 W. 83rd Davenport Call for Directions 563-445-1770 Must be 18 to enter www.dalsydooks.conj B.Y.O EL 4.