MLB: Stan the Man laid to rest
Stan Musial was remembered as a Hall of Famer on and off the field during a two-hour funeral Mass. Broadcaster Bob Costas, his voice cracking at times, pointed out during the lengthy tribute that in 92 years of life, Musial never let anyone down.
Among those in attendance were baseball commissioner Bud Selig, former St. Louis standout Albert Pujols and Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Bruce Sutter and 90-year-old Red Schoendienst, who once roomed with Musial.
Joe Torre, a former MVP and manager in St. Louis, and Tony La Russa, who became close with Musial during his 16 seasons managing the Cardinals, sat near the front along with current manager Mike Matheny.
Retired White Sox slugger Frank Thomas feels even better about his career after watching steroids-tainted stars Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens fail to gain entry to the Hall of Fame.
“I think I’ve done enough to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” he said at the team’s fan convention in Chicago.
GOLF: Eagle gives Wood Qatar title
Chris Wood eagled the 18th hole to win the Qatar Masters for his first European Tour victory yesterday, overtaking Sergio Garcia and George Coetzee, who finished a shot back.
The Englishman shot 200 yards to the green with a 6-iron and watched the ball roll to within 12 feet. Wood calmly sank the putt to finish the final round at 3-under 69 for an overall 18-under 270.
NHL: Agent: Isles’ Visnovsky will report
The agent for suspended Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky said he will report to the team by Feb. 11.
Neil Sheehy posted on his Twitter account that Visnovsky would be back “no later than Feb 11th, possibly sooner.” Sheehy said Visnovsky was away because of “personal medical reasons within his immediate family.”
The Islanders suspended Visnovsky, acquired in a June trade, for failing to report to the team for the start of the NHL season.
ETC.: South seniors top North
In Mobile, Ala., Florida State’s EJ Manuel passed for a touchdown and rushed for another on the South’s first two drives in a 21-16 victory over the North in the Senior Bowl.
Manuel was named the game’s most outstanding player. Brigham Young defensive end Ezekiel Ansah received the honors for the South while Purdue defensive lineman Kawann Short was the North’s top player.
Cerro, a 3-year-old colt partly owned by 18-time Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps, won the $54,500 third race at Gulfstream Park. Cerro won by 2 1/2 lengths, running the 1 ¹/ miles in 1:50.29. He paid $6, $3 and $2.40.
In Chicago, Demetrious Johnson successfully defended his flyweight title at UFC Chicago, unanimously outpointing John Dodson in front of a capacity crowd at the United Center.
In what may be his last UFC fight, Rampage Jackson was defeated by Glover Teixeira in a unanimous decision.