The Winnipeg Sun from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada • 48

56 WINNIPEG SUN WEDNESDAY APRIL' 30 2003 SkyDome was buzzing before the Blue Jays lost 16-11 to the Texas Rangers last night as fans who had gobbled up $1 tickets to the game gathered around will -call windows in numbers rarely seen since the team won consecutive World Series in 1992 and '93. Rogers Communications which owns the franchise, triggered the frenzy by buying all unsold tickets for the game over 34,000 and reselling them for a $1 in a bid to show Torontonians haven't bunkered themselves at home in fear of SARS. READY TO GO: Derek Jeter has seen enough of Florida and the New York Yankees' spring-training complex. "I'm sick of Tampa," he said yesterday after meeting with the team's medical staff. "I love Tampa I live there in the off-season, but I'm ready to get out." Jeter, who dislocated his left shoulder in the season opener, hopes to rejoin the Yankees by May 13, when they return from the West Coast and start a series against the World Series champion Anaheim Angels.

"If everything goes well, I'd like to play in some minor league games next week," the -time all-star said during a pregame news conference at Yankee Stadium. SUSPENSION REDUCED: St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Tino Martinez had his suspension for actions in a brawl with the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 20 reduced to three games yesterday. Martinez's suspension was reduced on the condition he begin serving it immediately, meaning he'll miss a three-game series with the New York Mets that started last night. LONG RECOVERY: Florida Marlins right-hander A.J.

Burnett won't pitch again this year, and he might miss next season, too. Burnett underwent Tommy John reconstructive surgery yesterday after renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews found the ulnar collateral ligament in Burnett's throwing arm fully torn. Normal recovery time is 12 to 18 months. ROCKIN': John Rocker allowed two runs and three hits over one inning yesterday for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' extended spring training team.

The former Atlanta, Cleveland and Texas reliever struck out one and walked one, throwing 13 of 24 pitch- Tracy admits cheating DEAN MCNULTY Sun Media dean.mcnulty@tor.sunpub.com But says traction control is in the past TORONTO Toronto's Paul Tracy has Tracy said. "There was no way CART could said. "(Traction control) made it easier for the admitted he used illegal traction controls for catch the manufacturers doing it and that's drivers less tire wear and easier to drive." nine seasons while driving for the top teams ultimately why they legalized traction control But Tracy said that CART's switch this seain the CART Champ Car World in 2002." son to one-engine manufacturer Ford Series. The series won't take any action put and end to the advantage of having tracTracy, a panellist at a town meet- against Tracy, CART spokesman tion control. ing on racing Monday in West Allis, Adam Saal said yesterday.

He also credited Bridgestone for coming said that he wasn't the only "The era he talked about had up with a tire that wouldn't fall off at the end driver to use the system which gives nothing to do with drivers anyway," of long runs. more grip to tires when accelerating Saal said. "It had everything to do "We have a great tire that's very durable," out of corners. with manufacturers pushing the he said. The 34-year-old CART points envelope to win races and we've As a result Tracy said that this season more leader said he first used the illegal taken every step to ensure that will of the racing is being put back into the consystem while driving for Roger not happen again, if it happened at trol of drivers.

Penske. He has since driven for all." "This year you're going to see a lot of passNewman-Haas, Team Kool Green TRACY Tracy said the reasons were sim- ing, you're going to see a lot of action on the and this season with ple for using the electronic controls track because what they did was take away a lot it gave the teams huge advantages in tire of the driver aids," Tracy said. "It brings it back "We used forms of traction control since management. more to the driver and car. I think that's prob1994 when I was with Penske," Tracy said.

"Back when I first started running, we had ably one reason I've been more successful." "Even though people say we didn't have trac- tremendous grip loss over the duration of a Tracy heads into next Monday's race at tion control we actually had it, but we were run and you really had to be good at manag- Brands Hatch in England with three consecnot allowed to say or else you would have ing your tires to get through a run without utive wins to start the season. your arm cut off by your engine supplier," going substantially slower by the end," Tracy With files from AP Even at a buck per, Peaceful wash Jays can't sell out TORONTO The Blue Jays hoped a near-sellout gathering of 48,097 fans last night would help send the world a message that Toronto is safe despite the SARS outbreak in the city. es for strikes against Toronto Blue Jays' minor-leaguers. The left-hander said afterward that he expects to join double-A Orlando this week. From Sun news services HOME DELIVERY 632-6506 Sports Redskins DE Smith charged with DUI VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.

Bruce Smith has been charged with drunk driving after being stopped for speeding. The 39-year-old Washington Redskins' defensive end, who is entering his 19th NFL season, was ticketed for going 98 in a 70 zone and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, police spokesman Mike Carey said. Smith was stopped at 2:21 a.m. Sunday Lawrence M. Cardon, Smith's lawyer, said yesterday Smith's blood-alcohol breath test registered 0.07, which is below the state legal limit of 0.08.

State law allows for DUI citations when the blood-alcohol level is legal if, in the arresting officer's judgment, other evidence of impairment exists, Cardon said. Belfour award finalists The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association announced yesterday its three finalists for the Ed Belfour Hockey Award, which is given to the top graduating player in the province. The finalists are Mark Tremaine of the Neepawa Tigers, Madison Leitch of the St. Paul's Crusaders and Chad Fraser of the Oak Park Raiders. The criteria for the award, besides their play on the ice, includes leadership on and off the ice, individual awards and recognition, community work, academic achievements and extra-curricular activities.

The winner will be announced Tuesday. Belfour, a netminder with the Toronto Maple Leafs, spent two and a half years as a member of the Carman Cougars high school squad. Yu will join Bisons Yu can bet the University of Manitoba Bisons men's basketball team will have a tough point guard next season. The Bisons announced yesterday that Jordan Yu, 5-foot-8, has been recruited to suit up for the of M. Yu hails from Prince George, B.C., and 0 ED REINKE AP Kentucky Derby hopeful Peace Rules is washed down after a morning workout yesterday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

was one of the top players in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association this past season. Yu led North Vancouver's Capilano College to the BCCAA championship and was voted tournament MVP. The provincial title also gave Capilano a berth in the national championship tournament, where they finished fifth. Grey Owl deadline Today is the deadline to enter the Grey Owl golf tournament. The 43rd edition of the 36-hole men's event will be held June 13-15 at Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding Mountain National Park.

Applications must be postmarked no later than today. Entries, including the $135 fee, should be sent to Grey Owl 2003, PO Box 1701, Winnipeg, R3C 2Z6. UAE to host Iraq DUBAI, United Arab Emirates A Dubai club has answered appeals from Iraq's scattered soccer team, desperate for help as it seeks to play in Olympic and Asian qualifying tournaments. Days after Iraq's national coach Bernd Stange asked for help, Al-Shabab Club said yesterday it will host the team from May 25 to June 10. From Sun news services.