Former KC writer Whiteside dies

Larry Whiteside, a baseball writer in Boston, Kansas City and Milwaukee for almost a half century who was a pioneer for blacks in journalism and a mentor for reporters regardless of their race, has died after a long illness. He was 69.

Whiteside had worked for The Boston Globe from 1973 until he was sidelined by Parkinson’s disease in the past decade. The paper reported his death on its Web site.

"I am truly saddened by the news of his passing, as he was an extraordinary person," said baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who was the Milwaukee Brewers’ owner when Whiteside covered their first four seasons. "He was one of the finest journalists and finest friends that I have ever encountered. I will certainly miss him."

Whiteside began his career with the Kansas City Kansan in 1959 and worked at the Milwaukee Journal from 1963-1973, where he covered the Braves of Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Warren Spahn. He was also recruited to cover the civil rights movement.

50 Cent won’t testify in Iverson case

Rapper 50 Cent will not have to testify at NBA star Allen Iverson’s assault trial this month, a federal judge ruled yesterday.

The lawsuit stems from a fight between members of Iverson’s security detail and patrons at a downtown Washington bar in 2005. Two customers sued, accusing Iverson of hitting one of them with a bottle and charging the entourage with assault, conspiracy and other charges.

One of the rap industry’s most lucrative entertainers, 50 Cent - whose real name is Curtis Jackson III - was not involved in the fight. But lawyers for the customers said the rapper knew some of Iverson’s security detail and could testify at trial about their behavior.

Jackson argued that since he was not involved in the fight and is not named in the lawsuit, he could not be forced to travel from his home in Connecticut to testify at trial, which begins June 27.

A federal judge agreed with Jackson, saying she did not have jurisdiction because he lived more than 100 miles from the court.

Basso suspended two years for doping

Former Giro d’Italia champion Ivan Basso received a maximum two-year doping penalty yesterday from the Italian cycling federation.

Basso acknowledged involvement last month in the Spanish blood-doping probe, known as Operation Puerto. He confessed to "attempted doping" but said he never actually went through with it.

"I accept the sentence. I knew the situation wasn’t an easy one," Basso said.

The 29-year-old rider was accused of using or attempting to use a banned substance or method and "possession of banned substances and methods."

Basso was already suspended for nearly eight months by his teams this year and last, so yesterday’s penalty will expire Oct. 24, 2008.

Basso said he would leave it up to his lawyer to decide on a possible appeal.

The two-year ban satisfies the request of the International Cycling Union, or UCI, and exceeds the 21-month suspension that Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) doping prosecutors recommended last month for the 2006 Giro winner.

Lewis out as Bruins coach

Dave Lewis is out as the Boston Bruins’ coach after just one season.

General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced yesterday that Lewis will be relieved as head coach and reassigned to another position in the organization. Associate coach Marc Habscheid also will be reassigned.

"Since the season has ended, I have completed a thorough review of the team and the coaching staff, and I have determined that Dave Lewis and Marc Habscheid are not the proper fit for the Bruins at this time," Chiarelli said. "I have a short list of candidates in mind."

Lewis was 35-41-6 in his lone season on the Bruins’ bench. He also was the head coach in Detroit from 2002-04, where he had a 96-41-21-6 record.

LSU, Chatman reach settlement

LSU and former women’s basketball Coach Pokey Chatman yesterday ended a monthslong dispute, working out a contract settlement in the wake of her abrupt resignation from the school.

LSU offered Chatman another $85,000 in postseason bonus money, on top of the $75,000 both sides agreed she is due under the disputed contract, for a total of $160,000.

Chatman resigned March 7, after assistant coach Carla Berry raised allegations of improper conduct with a former player or players.

Advertisement