Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 3

2D TUESDAY, NOV- DETROIT FRKE PRESS WWW.FREEP.COM (DINING ME Street, Howard voted season's top rookies WITH Gibbs, Labonte part three seasons as the Latin American coordinator of instruction for the San Diego Padres. JURISPRUDENCE: Pete Rose the son of baseball's all-time hits leader, pleaded guilty in Nashville, to charges that he distributed GBL a drug sometimes sold as a steroid alternative, to minor league teammates. Rose, 35, could be sentenced to 21-24 months in federal prison and fined up to $1 million under terms of his deal with prosecutors. The sentencing hearing is set for Feb. 20.

CHICAGO: The Cubs exercised their options for next season on second baseman Todd Walker and reliever Scott Williamson. Walker, who hit .305 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 110 games, will make $2.5 million. The right-handed Williamson, who will make $2 million, had a 5.65 ERA in 17 games after undergoing ligament-replacement surgery on his pitching elbow in the off-season. CLEVELAND: Scott Sauerbeck, a key left-hander in a dominant bullpen, agreed to a one-year contract. Sauerbeck was 1-0 with a 4.04 ERA and appeared in 58 games last season.

PITTSBURGH: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is interested in buying his hometown Pirates, but the ownership told him the team isn't for sale despite its ongoing streak of 13 straight losing seasons. In an e-mail response to the Associated Press, Cuban said Monday he looked into buying the team recently but, "they told me they have no interest in selling." Responding to Cuban's comment, club vice president Patty Paytas said, "The Pirates are not for sale." ST. LOUIS: A wrecking ball smashed into the southwest side of Busch Stadium to make room for a new $400-million ballpark, slated to be completed for the Cardinals' home opener April 10 against Milwaukee. NOTEBOOK: The West Michigan Whitecaps, a Class A affiliate of the Tigers, announced major renovations to its stadium in Comstock Park for next season. Fifth Third Ballpark will feature a two-level indoor-and-outdoor viewing structure, and the suite level will have outdoor seating.

STEVE SCIIRADER MIKE BRVDENELL AUTO RACING Labonte joined Joe Gibbs, coach of the Washington Redskins, from Bill Davis Racing in 1995. He replaced Dale Jar-rett and finished 10th in series points that year. Labonte quickly established himself as one of the best and most popular Cup drivers, finishing as series runner-up in 1999 and winning the championship the next season. In 2003, Labonte finished eighth in points. Last year, he missed the inaugural Chase for the Championship, placing 12th while failing to win a race for the first time in nine years.

This season, Labonte has three top-five finishes and six top-lOs. His best result is a second in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. Labonte was not dwelling on negatives Monday. "I will always cherish the times at JGR, and the only thing that I regret is that we didn't win more races or championships," he said. J.D.

Gibbs, Joe Gibbs' son and president of JGR, thanked Labonte for his contributions to the team. "My dad and I have enjoyed a great relationship with Bob McMurray, Busch get early releases ASCAR veteran Bobby Labonte and Joe Gibbs Racing will part ways at the end of the season, ending one of stock car racing's strongest associations. Labonte, driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet, has experienced a nightmarish 2005. The 2000 Win ston Cup champion is 25th in series points, mired in an agonizing, season-long stretch of crashes, pit mishaps and mechanical malfunctions that began at Daytona in February.

In all, Labonte has wrecked or experienced engine failures in 12 of 34 races. Labonte and Gibbs announced Monday that their 11-year relationship would end after the final Nextel Cup race of the year, Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami. Labonte, whose 21 Cup victories have all come for Gibbs, is expected to continue racing next season, with perhaps Petty Enterprises or Bill Davis Racing. Labonte, 41, might disclose his 2006 plans at Phoenix this weekend.

"This relationship has lasted a long time, and I hate that it had to end," Labonte said. "Joe Gibbs and his family gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I want to thank them, and all the employees at JGR, for 11 years of hard work." Three new names were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Monday, including, from left, Murray Costello, former president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (now Hockey Canada), and Boston Bruins great Cam Neely. Alexander Kharlamov, right, stood in for his late father, Valeri, who starred for the Soviet Union in the Summit Series era. ways by over the past 11 years," J.D. Gibbs said.

"Without his leadership and class, Joe Gibbs Racing would not be what it is today." MORE DRIVERS MOVES: In a day of NASCAR musical chairs, Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed that Casey Mears would pilot the No. 42 TexacoHavoline Dodge in 2006, releasing Jamie McMurray a year early from his contract to drive a Ford, most likely the No. 97 now driven by Kurt Busch, for Roush Racing next season. In turn, Roush agreed to an early release of 2004 Nextel Cup champion Busch to Penske Racing South to drive the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, which is being vacated by the retiring Rusty Wallace.

This season, Mears has been at the wheel of the No. 41 Target Dodge for Ganassi. He finished fourth Sunday in the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. In 2006, rookie Reed So-renson will race the No. 41 car.

Newcomer David Stremme has been hired to drive Ganassi's No. 40 Coors Light Dodge, the longtime ride of Sterling Marlin. Marlin is leaving Ganassi to drive for MB2 Racing next season, replacing Scott Riggs, who will join Evernham Mo-torsports. Contact MIKE BRUDENELL at 313-222-2115 or brudenellSfreepress.com. ADRIAN WYLDAssociated Press HOCKEY'S CLASS OF '05 AROUND THE HORN FRU PKFiS MWS StRVKES NEW YORK Huston Street kept the American League Rookie of the Year award in-house.

Oakland's poised closer became the second straight winner from the Athletics, and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won the National League award Monday. Street hardly had to look far for inspiration. The previous AL winner was his roommate this season, shortstop Bobby Crosby. "Maybe he rubbed off," Street said. Street, who took over as closer in May, got 15 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and finished with 97 points.

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano was second with 57 points. Street went 5-1 with 23 saves in 27 chances and a 1.72 ERA second among AL closers to New York's Mariano Rivera. Called up from the minors for good July 1, Howard replaced injured star Jim Thome and led all rookies with 22 home runs. He received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points to beat out Houston outfielder Willy Taveras, who got 78 points. Howard batted .288 with 63 RBIs in 88 games.

TIGERS: Manny Crespo was named director of Latin American operations. Crespo, who played nine seasons after becoming a third-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1968, spent the past NATION BOXING Klitschko may get to defend title Vitali Klitschko will be stripped of the WBC heavyweight championship if a knee injury takes more than three months to heal. The title will be awarded to former champion Hasim Rahman, WBC president Jose Sulaiman said Monday. He said Klitschko was given at least another week for doctors determine the severity of the injury that led him to again cancel a bout against Rahman. But if the champ can heal in the next three months, he will be allowed to defend.

The WBC will make no determination in the case at least until Saturday, because Klitschko called Sulaiman and asked for a few days more so medical experts can better diagnose his injury. "You shouldn't lose your METRO COLLEGE SOCCER UDM hosts league tourney final four For the first time, Detroit Mercy will host the final two rounds of the Horizon League tournament. The Titans (11-5-2), the tournament's top seed by virtue of winning the regular-season title, wUl play Wright State (lO-9-O) in the semifinals at 2 p.m. Friday at Titan Field on the north side of UDM's campus. That game will be preceded by the first semifinal at 11:30 a.m.

that pits Wisconsin-Green Bay (9-9-0) against Wisconsin-Milwaukee (11-4-4). The final is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at Titan Field. More college SOCCen Michigan and Michigan State will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament at Evanston, III.

Fourth-seeded MSU (7-5-5) beat fifth-seeded U-M (8-9-1), 2-0, in their regular-season matchup. After the conclusion of the weekend's league action, Oakland University (9-8-0) learned it won the Mid-Continent Conference title outright with a 5-1 record. The Golden Grizzlies will be the top seed when they play fourth-seeded Valparaiso (6-9-2) in the conference tournament Friday at Kansas City, Mo. Oakland senior forward Chris Edwards, who had his first career hat trick against Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis, Is the Mid-Continent offensive player of the week. Albion junior forward Jason Smith and Calvin senior goalie Joe Westra are the MIAA offensive and THE TICKER Two cents worth I You know, the Lions have had worse starts than 3-5 the past few seasons, but have they ever seemed in worse shape than now? Everywhere you look, they're just coming apart at the seams.

I We've heard a few fans suggest the Lions go after Terrell Owens, who has worn out his welcome in Philly. Yeah, the one thing they really need is another receiver with baggage. And after butting heads in San Francisco, how long do you think Steve Mariucci would stick around with T.O. in town? On second thought Revenge of the cheerleaders Well, NFL sex scandals aren't Just for Vikings anymore. Pay attention, because this is complicated: Two Carolina Panthers cheerleaders face various charges after an incident early Sun day at a Tampa bar.

The ToDCats don't do road games, but mS Mi the two made the watch the game against the Bucs. The women, apparently after enjoying adult beverages, allegedly went into a rest-room stall to have Renee Thomas -Ov sex with each other. i I Thic annoroH uunm- en waiting to use the facilities in the way they were intended, words were exchanged when the cheerleaders emerged, and Angela Keathley rV3 police said one of them gave another patron a black eye. So they arrested Angela Keathley, 26, and well, police didn't realize it at the time, but the other suspect allegedly gave them the driver's license of yet another cheerleader, who wasn't on the trip. And that woman was surprised to see her name surface in news reports in Charlotte.

This looks like a job for CSI: Tampa (Cheerleader Scandal Investigations.) "We are trying to get the fingerprints of all the cheerleaders from the NFL so we can get this right," Lt. John Newman told the Charlotte Observer on Sunday. "The girls really look alike, so the last thing I want to do is base this on a photo." But Monday, police charged Renee Thomas, 20 Isn't that too young to be in bars? Is that why she had somebody else's driver's license? with giving a false name and causing harm to another. Keathley was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, and released on $750 bond. The two also were kicked off the squad.

And Kristen Owen the cheerleader whose driver's license somehow was in Thomas' possession was suspended, the Observer reported. Press clippings DJ.Gallo, ESPN.com: "If Joey Harrington is going to continue to play this way, he should at least have some fun with it and pull a page from Chad Johnson's book. How awesome would it be if Harrington had a list of defensive backs from every opponent posted in his locker titled, "Who Intercepted 3 in Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: "Terrell Owens says the Eagles would be better if Brett Favre were their quarterback. I say the Packers would be better if Brett Favre weren't their quarterback." Quick hits I Oscar Madison as in "The Odd Couple" actor Jack Klugman is doing podcasts and a Klugman's Korner blog for MLB.com. Actually, fans can do blogs on the Web site for $4.95 a month, and there's a 30-day free trial offer now.

I Pistons analystShock coach Bill Laimbeer will do a Web chat with fans, 3 p.m. today at Pistons.com. Bottom line I Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll, whose Trojans have won 31 straight, quoted in the L.A. Daily News on playing this week at Cal, site of their last loss in 2003: "That game's been well-referenced, certainly, but I'm going to have to tell some of the young guys because they don't know anything about it. That's a long time ago.

Ancient history. But it's only a couple years ago." The Ticker is compiled from staff reports and news services by STEVE SCHRADER, who can be reached at 313-222-6710 or schraderfreepress.com. i. xft Pa rziiflf -i 'UjaV' A WORLD title because you get injured," Sulaiman told the Associated Press in an interview. "A decision that is fair for everyone will come in time." Addressing a group of reporters and former boxing champions a short time later, Sulaiman said, "We can't act under pressure from anybody when we think that pressure will force an injustice." "You all know there are many economic interests all over the world that were pressuring the World Council to stop recognizing Klitschko as champion.

But it seems to me unfair not to give the courtesy of an opportunity to a fighter to undergo medical examinations to determine if the injury is major or minor." Klitschko suffered an injured knee while sparring last week in Los Angeles. He was fitted with a brace, but later canceled the fight with Rahman scheduled for Saturday in Las Vegas. STATE defensive players of the week. Women's college soccer Mope sophomore midfielder Ellie Tresslar and Alma sophomore defender Kim Hoeltzel are the MIAA offensive and defensive players of the week. Girls prep basketball: Junior guard Aidan Doherty scored 22 as Bloomfield Hills Sacred Heart (14-3) beat Flint International Academy, 56-4L Junior guard Tabatha Wydryck scored 20 as Riverview Richard (10-8) beat Marine City Cardinal Mooney, 43-38.

Sammy Theut scored 14 for Mooney. Senior forward Lindsay Loridas had 14 points and 10 rebounds as Farmington Hills Mercy (12-7) beat Detroit Community (12-6), 51-33. Guard Iniqia Sneil scored 11 for Community. Sophomore forward Skylar Miller scored 17 for South-field (9-9, 6-4 0AA Div. II) in a 35-30 win over Farmington Hills Harrison.

Jessica Viktelic scored eight for Harrison. College hockey. Michigan forward Andrew Cogliano, who had three goals and three assists in two victories over Notre Dame, is the rookie of the week in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Bowling Green's Alex Foster, a sophomore forward from Canton, had a goal and two assists against Nebraska- Omaha and is the offensive player of the week. Miami (Ohio) defenseman Mitch Ganzak, a sophomore from Canton, was plus-three and helped the RedHawks kill all 14 of Ohio State's power plays.

Ganzak is the defensive player of the week. Volleyball: Northwood outside hitter Gorana Maricic, a sophomore who averaged 6.3 kills per game in three wins, is the Great Lakes Conference North Division player of the week. Calvin senior middle hitter Christine Hendricks is the player of the week and Calvin freshman libera Lauren DeGroot is the specialty player of the week in the MIAA. BY THE NUMBERS The Lion tamer "I don't want to say Coach Tice has got their number, but there's something that he knows to get us ready to play against these guys." Vikings linebacker KEITH NEWMAN, quoted in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on the 7-0 record Mike Tice (below) has against the Lions. Children for the Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal, when wife, Shaunie, delivers in about six months.

They now are raising their three children and his two by previous, relationships. 74ti The Lions' top-ranked receivers in the league stats package: Tight end Marcus Pollard, wide receiver Scottie Vines and seven other players are tied at 21 receptions each. THE GUIDE Radio highlight 10 p.m. Pistons: Detroit at Sacramento, WDFN-AM (1130), WTKA-AM (1050). Area event College basketball: Eastern Michigan vs.

Saginaw Valley State, exhibition, 7 p.m., Convocation Center, Ypsilanti. TV highlights 7 p.m. (QTfD NHL: Boston at Philadelphia. 7:30 (HHg) College football: Southern Mississippi at Marshall. 10:00 (EM) Pistons: Detroit at Sacramento.

Midnight (BFfg) Tennis: WTA Tour Championships, round robin (taped). 1 1.