Briefs | Baseball: Source contends A-Rod isn't bothered by "A-Fraud" label

Baseball

Book reportedly is not a big deal to Rodriguez: Third baseman Alex Rodriguez has yet to comment publicly on allegations of his unpopularity in the New York Yankees' clubhouse made in the soon-to-be released book "The Yankee Years," co-authored by former manager Joe Torre and Tom Verducci.

But a Yankees insider who is friendly with Rodriguez told Newsday on Tuesday that Rodriguez was neither troubled nor stung by the revelation some teammates referred to him as "A-Fraud" behind his back, or that Torre said "when Alex came over, it became strained in the clubhouse ... Alex monopolized all the attention."

According to the source: "Alex wasn't angry about it, and he wasn't hurt. What he was, was surprised, by two things. One is that Torre, who is as media savvy as anyone we've ever known, would come out with any of this. The other is, if he was going to come out with it, why didn't he come out with even more stuff? He could have said a lot more than he did."

The criticisms of A-Rod attributed to Torre mainly concerned his inability to fit in with teammates, to "just be one of the guys. He didn't get it."

Red Sox give Varitek a Friday deadline: The Boston Red Sox have given catcher Jason Varitek until Friday to accept or reject a one-year, $5 million contract offer, with options for 2010, a source said.

Varitek, 36, was drafted by the Mariners in the first round in 1994.

Jimenez, Rockies agree on contract: Ubaldo Jimenez, 25, and Colorado agreed to a four-year contract that guarantees the right-hander $10 million.

NBA

Scalabrine to be out indefinitely: The Boston Celtics will be without forward Brian Scalabrine indefinitely after he got his second concussion in three days.

Scalabrine, a former standout at Enumclaw High School and Highline Community College, was hit in the head during practice by Patrick O'Bryant while going up for a rebound. Scalabrine also was hit in the head during Sunday's victory over Dallas.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he expected Scalabrine, 30, to miss at least a week. "I don't know that, but two concussions in [three] days can't be good for you," Rivers said.

Arrest of Caffey is ordered: An Atlanta judge has ordered the arrest of former player Jason Caffey, 35, who is accused of failing to pay more than $200,000 in child support and legal fees to Lorunda Brown and her attorney, Randy Kessler. In October, a judge in Alabama rejected a bankruptcy case filed by Caffey, clearing the way for him to be sued for child support.

College football

Bowden agrees to one-year extension: Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, 79, agreed "in principle" to a one-year contract extension, athletic director Randy Spetman said.

Frost to coach Oregon receivers: After two years at Northern Iowa, ex-Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost is returning to the Pac-10 as Oregon's receivers coach. Frost, 34, was the starting quarterback at Nebraska in 1996 and 1997 after transferring from Stanford. He played safety in the NFL for four teams.

Hockey

Johnson to coach U.S. women: Mark Johnson, 51, will coach the U.S. women's team in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Zetterberg, Red Wings reportedly agree on extension: The Detroit Red Wings have agreed on a 12-year contract extension with forward Henrik Zetterberg that is worth about $72 million, The Ann Arbor News reported. Zetterberg is 28.

Golf

Europe to announce Ryder Cup captain today: Europe will decide today whether Colin Montgomerie or Jose Maria Olazabal will be its 2010 Ryder Cup captain. Corey Pavin is the U.S. captain.

Boxing

LeDoux has Lou Gehrig's disease: Retired heavyweight Scott LeDoux, who was in the ring with 11 world champions (including exhibition bouts), has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.

"You've got to look at it as a fight in the main event," said the 60-year-old LeDoux, who lives in Coon Rapids, Minn.

Soccer

AC Milan wants to keep Beckham: AC Milan officials plan to meet with David Beckham's agents to see if the former England captain can get out of his contract with Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and stay with the Italian Serie A team.

If Beckham, who is on loan to Milan, "reaches an agreement with the Galaxy, we are prepared to pay a fee," Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said.

Donovan plays in German Cup match: U.S. standout Landon Donovan made his official debut for Bayern Munich, entering in the 67th minute of a 5-1 victory at Stuttgart in a German Cup match. He previously had played in exhibitions.

Donovan, on loan from the MLS Galaxy until mid-March, didn't score against Stuttgart. He has said he hopes for a permanent transfer to Bayern.

Man U extends shutout streak: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as first-place Manchester United won 5-0 at West Bromwich Albion, its record 11th consecutive English Premier League shutout. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has not allowed a goal in 1,032 minutes, a record.

Skiing

Herbst triumphs: Reinfried Herbst led an Austrian 1-2 finish in a World Cup night slalom in Schladming, Austria, and American Bode Miller finished eighth. Herbst had a two-run time of 1 minute, 37.32 seconds and beat Manfred Pranger by 1.16 seconds.

Albrecht has lung infection: Swiss skier Daniel Albrecht, in an induced coma after a training crash last week, has a lung infection. Albrecht, 25, received antibiotics at a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria.

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