BASKETBALL
Hornets re-sign Pargo
Veteran point guard Jannero Pargo (Arkansas Razorbacks) re-signed with the Charlotte Hornets on Friday to be the team's third point guard behind Kemba Walker and Brian Roberts. Pargo played in 29 of 82 regular-season games last season, totaling 242 minutes and averaging 4.7 points and 1.8 assists. But he drew frequent praise from the coaches for the example of professionalism he set. The Bobcats had a particularly healthy locker-room atmosphere last season, and Pargo was a factor. "We all wanted to see each other do well. It was never about playing time. It was all about the team," Pargo said. "We got into little scuffles here and there, but after the game it was all about love. Nothing really carried over [from game-to-game], and that's what you need to be a good team." A 6-1, 175-pound veteran, Pargo has changed teams nine times over a 10-season career. So knowing in July he has job security next season is a pleasant change from how much of his NBA career has gone. "It's definitely a relief," Pargo said. "That's refreshing. I can't wait to get started."
FOOTBALL
Irsay back at camp
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was back on the practice field in Anderson, Ind., on Friday, his 43rd year at a training camp. He's still not sure how much he'll be involved with the team this season. Irsay is awaiting a decision from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about a possible punishment following his March arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated and driving with a Schedule I or II controlled substance in his body. Less than 48 hours after the arrest, the Colts said Irsay had entered a treatment facility. Irsay acknowledged in 2002 he had become dependent on painkillers after several years of orthopedic operations. He said then that he had overcome the problem. Irsay did not discuss the legal case or Goodell's possible decision at camp.
• A judge Friday convicted Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in his Alabama hometown and imposed an 18-day jail term that could interrupt the player's bid to restart his career. Decatur Municipal Judge Billy Cook convicted McClain on the misdemeanor counts after a nonjury trial that lasted about three hours. McClain was accused of yelling an obscenity at police trying to arrest him during a disturbance in a crowded city park in 2013. McClain won't have to report for his jail sentence until after an appeal is complete in state court. Cook also ordered McClain to pay $1,572 in fines and court costs. It's unclear how long an appeal might take. The judge signed a document stating McClain, 25, was free to leave the state while challenging the conviction. Defense attorney Harvey Steinberg said McClain would head to Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif., within hours of the trial. The former University of Alabama player maintained his innocence and said police arrested the wrong person. He's been arrested three times in Decatur since 2011.
• Ben Roethlisberger is going to have to wait awhile for his next raise. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Friday the team won't work on a contract extension for the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback until after the 2014 season. Roethlisberger has two years left on his current deal, when the Steelers typically like to renegotiate with Roethlisberger. Rooney stressed the goal is to lock the 32-year-old Roethlisberger for the long term. Pittsburgh opted to push back talks to focus on players with one year remaining on their deals. Rooney added a higher salary cap in 2015 which should give the Steelers more flexibility. Roethlisberger, who maintains he wants to play his entire career in Pittsburgh, has a base salary of $12.1 million this season.
• Marshawn Lynch was absent as expected when the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks began training camp. Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said Friday he was disappointed Lynch was not present. Carroll reiterated the team wants Lynch there and still intends on him being an integral part of their plans for this season. But the message was clear that Seattle put a plan in place before Lynch was signed to a four-year contract in 2012 and the Seahawks management is not inclined to stray from those plans. Carroll said he's remained in communication with Lynch during the offseason. Lynch showed up for the mandatory minicamp in June to avoid a hefty fine, but now faces fines of $30,000 for each day of camp he misses. In Lynch's place, Robert Turbin and Christine Michael took most of the reps at running back Friday.
MOTOR SPORTS
Sports cars at Brickyard
Joao Barbosa of Portugal and Brazilian Christian Fitipaldi teamed to win the United SportsCar Championship Brickyard Grand Prix on Friday on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Barbosa, driving Chevrolet Corvette, crossed the finish line 49 seconds ahead of the Ford Ecoboost/Riley driven by Scott Pruett. In the GTLM class, Jonathan Bomarito won in a Dodge Viper SRT. Former Little Rock resident John Edwards and German Dirk Mueller were seventh in GTLM in a BMW Z4 GTE. Earlier Friday in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge event on the same track, Edwards and Trent Hindman teamed to finish second overall in a BMW M3. They finished 3.4 seconds behind the winners, the Chevrolet Camaro z28 driven by Robin Liddell and Andrew Davis.
BASEBALL
Capuano joins Yankees
Left-hander Chris Capuano has been put on the New York Yankees' major league roster, a day after he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies. Capuano will start today against Toronto, with Shane Greene pushed back to Sunday. New York designated right-hander Chris Leroux for assignment Friday to clear a roster spot. The 35-year-old Capuano was 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in 28 relief appearances for Boston, which released him July 1. He had four starts at Class AAA and Class AA for the Rockies. Capuano, a 2006 NL All-Star, pitched with Arizona, Milwaukee, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston in parts of 10 major league seasons. Earlier this month, the Yankees obtained pitcher Brandon McCarthy from Arizona and third baseman Chase Headley from San Diego.
• Veteran right-hander Jerome Williams is the next on the mound for the Texas Rangers. The Rangers purchased Williams' contract from Class AAA Round Rock on Friday to start the opener of a series against AL West-leading Oakland. Williams was set to be the 52nd different player, and 31st pitcher, used by Texas this season. He was signed by the Rangers two weeks after being released by Houston. To make room on the 25-man roster, outfielder Jake Smolinski was put on the disabled list with a bone bruise in his left foot. Left-hander Justin Marks was released to clear a 40-man spot. He was on the disabled list at Round Rock. Williams starts in place of Nick Tepesch, who got an extra day of rest after having to pitch in the Rangers' 14-inning loss at the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. Tepesch starts today against the Athletics. The 32-year-old Williams is 43-51 with a 4.45 ERA in 181 major league games since 2003 for San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, Washington, Los Angeles Angels and Houston.
Sports on 07/26/2014