LITTLE ROCK — WORLD CUP U.S. beats Cuba
Former major leaguer Terry Tiffee (North Little Rock, Sylvan Hills) hit his fourth home run of the baseball World Cup and the United States beat Cuba 5-3 on Thursday in a likely preview of this weekend's final.
The United States stretched its winning streak to 12 games after opening the tournament with a loss to Venezuela.
Lucas Harrell earned the victory, allowing only one hit over four innings. Ehren Wasserman got the save, giving up one hit in 2 1 /3 innings.
Tiffee played this season in Class AAA for the Philadelphia Phillies. He previously played for the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Venezuela beat Australia 9-4, Canada downed the Netherlands 11-5 and Puerto Rico defeated Taiwan 8-2.
CUBS Judge OKs sale
WILMINGTON, Del. - A federal bankruptcy judge cleared the way Thursday for the Tribune Co. to sell the Chicago Cubs and the storied Wrigley Field to the family of billionaire and longtime fan Joe Ricketts.
Judge Kevin J. Carey authorized Tribune to sell the family a 95 percent stake in the team, the stadium and related sports properties for $845 million.
The deal also needs approval from threequarters of Major League Baseball's 30 team owners. The owners have not scheduled a vote on the Cubs sale, although one could come as soon as their meeting in November.
The Tribune plan calls for a separate bankruptcy filing by Chicago National League Ball Club, an affiliate not involved in Tribune's current Chapter 11 case. The CNLBC bankruptcy proceedings should last only a few days but are needed to ensure that the sale is free of all liens and claims and that existing contracts can be transferred to the new owner.
Chicago-based Tribune, which owns the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, other newspapers and TV properties, bought the Cubs in 1981 from candy maker Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for $20.5 million.
Tribune had announced on opening day in 2007 that the marquee franchise and historic ballpark would be sold at the end of that season. But the process was slowed by Chief Executive Officer Sam Zell's efforts to maximize sale profits, the collapse of the credit markets and Tribune's 2008 bankruptcy filing.
The Ricketts family, tentatively selected as the winning bidder last January, had agreed to pay about $900 million for the package. But that total was renegotiated, with Tribune retaining a small stake for tax purposes.
The sale figure exceeds the record $660 million paid for the Boston Red Sox, its ballpark and its TV network in 2002. The New York Times Co. is exploring a sale of its 17.8 percent stake in the properties.
Ricketts is founder of Omaha, Neb.-based online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
MINORS Foster to manage
LEESBURG, Fla. - Former Cincinnati Reds star George Foster has been picked to manage the Lake County Black Bears of the new Florida Winter Baseball League.
The 1977 National League MVP will be managing in a four-team league for players from the minors and independent leagues. Ken Griffey Sr., his former Reds teammate, is the league's commissioner.
Foster said he loves teaching baseball and is excited to work with the young players. The league announced the move Thursday.
The league also includes the Miami Diamantes, Space Coast Surge and Seminole County Naturals. Its season runs from Oct. 30 through Jan. 24.
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/25/2009