BASEBALL: Wood re-ups with Cubs
Given his history of arm problems, even Kerry Wood was surprised at all the interest he drew from other teams in free agency.
After making the switch to the bullpen last season after a swift recovery from shoulder problems, Wood agreed yesterday to a $4.2 million, one-year deal to return to the Cubs, spurning what general manager Jim Hendry said were numerous offers elsewhere.
* Only 11 players were added to baseball’s 2008 Hall of Fame ballot yesterday, giving new hope to former relief ace Rich “Goose” Gossage that this may be his year to win election to Cooperstown.
First-timers, who must be retired for five years, include former batting champion and leading base stealer Tim Raines and former Rookie of the Year winners David Justice and Chuck Knoblauch.
There will be 25 names in all on this year’s ballot, one of the smallest fields ever. Players named on 5 percent of ballots are carried over until they have exhausted their 15-year eligibility.
Besides Gossage, who is in his ninth year on the ballot, other serious long-time contenders include Jim Rice, Andre Dawson, Bert Blyleven and Tommy John.
Other first-timers approved for the ballot by the BBWAA screening committee include former World Series MVP pitcher Jose Rijo of the 1990 Cincinnati Reds and two leading closers of their time in Robb Nen and Rod Beck.
COLLEGE: BC suspends RB
Boston College running back A.J. Brooks was suspended indefinitely and will not be with the team Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Virginia Tech in Jacksonville, Fla. Coach Jeff Jagodzinski said the junior was suspended for a violation of team rules but did not specify the nature of the transgression.
* Seton Hall senior Brian Laing was named the Big East Conference player of the week on Monday after averaging 20 points in leading the Pirates to the championship in the Philly Hoop Group Classic.
* St. Bonaventure freshman forward Da’Quan Cook will miss this season after the NCAA ruled that he didn’t meet initial eligibility guidelines.