NEW YORK (AP) - Former Florida state football coach Bobby Bowden
(BOW'-dehn) tells The Associated Press he was "pushed out" after
34 years with the Seminoles and that his relationship with former
university president T.K. Wetherell is likely beyond repair. The
second all-time winningest college football coach also said
Wetherell gave him the option of returning for one more season as
"ambassador coach," giving control of the program to successor
Jimbo Fisher. Bowden says now he doesn't want Florida State to
"spread the story that I voluntarily, happily resigned."
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - New York Jets center Nick Mangold is
now the NFL's highest-paid player at his position after signing a
seven-year deal with the New York Jets that could be worth up to
$55 million. A person with knowledge of the details tells The
Associated Press that the deal includes over $22 million in
guarantees against injury. The contract surpasses the one inked
last year by St. Louis center Jason Brown, whose five-year contract
was worth $37.5 million, including $20 million guaranteed.
DETROIT (AP) - Johnny Damon is passing up a chance to return to
the Boston Red Sox, rejecting their waiver claim and choosing to
remain with the Detroit Tigers. Damon's contract with the Tigers
gives him veto power to reject trades to 21 different major league
teams, including the Red Sox. The outfielder said he was leaning
toward staying put from the beginning rather than go back to the
team he helped win the 2004 World Series.
TORONTO (AP) - The New York Yankees are moving Javier Vazquez to
the bullpen and will let rookie Ivan Nova start in his place Sunday
against the Chicago White Sox. Vazquez was among the top pitchers
in the National League last season but has struggled this year,
going 9-9 with a 5.05 ERA in 23 starts. Nova made his first major
league start against Toronto last night, allowing two runs and six
hits in 5 1-3 innings.
NEW YORK (AP) - Women's second-ranked tennis player Caroline
Wozniacki (wohz-nee-AK'-ee) of Denmark has been seeded No. 1 at a
Grand Slam tournament for the first time. She gets the top spot at
the U.S. Open because Serena Williams pulled out with a foot
injury. Defending champion Kim Clijsters (KLY'-sturz) was seeded
No. 2, followed by two-time champion Venus Williams, 2008 runner-up
Jelena Jankovic (YANK'-oh-vihch) and French Open runner-up Sam
Stosur (STOH'-sur).
