CHICAGO (AP) - There is a key NFL owners' meeting scheduled for
today in Chicago to discuss progress made with the players on a new
collective bargaining agreement. This is the first meeting called
by the league strictly for labor matters since the lockout began
nearly four months ago.
WASHINGTON (AP) - A group of NFL Hall of Famers is ratcheting up
the pressure on the owners by backing a class-action lawsuit
against the NFL, demanding better benefits for former players.
Former Vikings great Carl Eller, Lem Barney, Elvin Bethea, Paul
Krause and Joe DeLamielleure (deh-lah-meh-LOOR') were among the
former stars claiming the NFL has not done what is "fair and
right" in supporting the financial and medical concerns of former
players.
ST. LOUIS (AP) - The St. Louis Cardinals, locked in a dogfight
with Milwaukee for the National League Central lead, are preparing
to do without three-time MVP first baseman Albert Pujols
(POO'-hohlz) for an estimated six weeks. The Cards may shift
outfielder Lance Berkman to first base while the 31-year-old Pujols
recovers from a fractured wrist suffered Sunday.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Marlins changed managers
but little else. In 80-year-old Jack McKeon's first game as interim
manager taking over for Edwin Rodriguez, the Marlins lost 2-1 to
the L.A. Angels for their 11th straight loss, dropping Florida to
1-19 in June.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - There doesn't seem to be any end to the messy
divorce of L.A. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his ex-wife Jamie.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig (SEE'-lihg) has rejected a proposed
television deal between the Dodgers and Fox that voids a recent
proposed divorce settlement because the deal diverts team assets to
what Selig calls McCourt's "personal needs."
