SAN FRANCISCO [bar] Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run ball will be sold online, and fortunate fan Matt Murphy figures to be a half-million dollars richer.
The 21-year-old New Yorker said Tuesday he had no choice but to sell the ball - several people told him he would be taxed on the valuable souvenir if he holds onto it.
Sotheby's/SCP Auctions will handle the sale at www.scpauctions.com beginning Aug. 28 and going through Sept. 15. The starting bid has not been determined; auction officials estimated the ball would bring at least $500,000.
The ball from Bonds' 755th home run hit Aug. 4 in San Diego also will be for sale on the site. The same company sold the balls from Bonds' 700th home run and No. 715 that passed Babe Ruth for second place last season.
hockey
Canucks re-sign center Linden
VANCOUVER, British Columbia [bar] Trevor Linden re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $600,000.
Linden, 37, who will be entering his 16th season with the Canucks, can earn an additional $350,000 in bonuses for games played.
Linden has played 18 seasons in the NHL. A 6-foot-4, 220-pound center, he is the Canucks' career leader with 1,081 games played and 721 points. He has also spent time with the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens.
college football
Two suspended at West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. [bar] West Virginia suspended cornerback Ellis Lankster and linebacker J.T. Thomas on Tuesday, two days after they were arrested for transferring and receiving stolen property.
Police said the stolen item was a laptop computer. In a statement, West Virginia said the players were suspended indefinitely pending the conclusion of the legal process. They face a Sept. 10 preliminary hearing.
Lankster, a junior college transfer, enrolled at West Virginia in January and was expected to help shore up the Mountaineers' pass defense. Thomas, a redshirt freshman, was competing for a starting spot.
IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS
The University of Miami will play at Dolphin Stadium starting in 2008, leaving the historic but decaying Orange Bowl.
James Davis rushed for 30 yards and C.J. Spiller added 21 as Clemson worked on its running game at a two-hour scrimmage that ended preseason camp.
Carson Butler, a Michigan tight end, has been reinstated to the team after being cleared of charges of attacking a student on St. Patrick's Day.
Sam Bradford was chosen to start at quarterback in Oklahoma's opener against North Texas, winning a three-way competition.
A judge dismissed five of seven charges against Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto for an April off-campus fight.
Appalachian State is ranked No. 1 the preseason Coaches Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) poll.
baseball
Braves put James on disabled list
CINCINNATI [bar] The Atlanta Braves put lefthander Chuck James on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with tightness in the back of his pitching shoulder.
The Braves called up lefthander Jo-Jo Reyes from Triple-A Richmond to take his place.
The Braves also unconditionally released righthanded reliever Tanyon Sturtze, who hasn't been able to make a full recovery from shoulder surgery last year.
IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS
The Cincinnati Reds recalled pitcher Kirk Saarloos and optioned pitcher Phil Dumatrait to Triple-A Louisville.
The Nationals traded righthander Emiliano Fruto to the Arizona Diamondbacks for prospect Chris Carter, who then was shipped to the Boston Red Sox to complete last week's deal that sent outfielder Wily Mo Pena to Washington.
Phillies ace Cole Hamels has a strained elbow and will miss at least one start, offsetting the good news that All-Star second baseman Chase Utley will likely return from the disabled list next week.
golf
Europe fills out Solheim Cup team
STOCKHOLM, Sweden [bar] Swedes Maria Hjorth, Linda Wessberg and Dane Iben Tinning were the wildcard selections for the European team's Solheim Cup matches against the defending champion United States.
The Solheim Cup will be held Sept. 14-16 at Halmstad Golf Club in western Sweden. Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson are the other Swedes on the team and join LPGA champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway, Gwladys Nocera of France, Bettina Hauert of Germany, Catriona Matthew of Scotland and English trio Trish Johnson, Laura Davies and Becky Brewerton.
The United States will announce its squad Sunday after the LPGA's Safeway Classic.
in other news
The Washington Wizards re-signed guard Donell Taylor and forward Mike Hall to non-guaranteed contracts.
Lindsay Davenport's return to professional tennis was postponed until today when her doubles match at the Pilot Pen event was bumped because of rain.
