Mieuli’s Angel Is Ex-Bucks Owner

Jim Fitzgerald, the former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, stepped forward Tuesday at the NBA’s annual meeting in San Francisco and offered to lend $4 million to beleaguered Golden State Warrior owner Franklin Mieuli.

Fitzgerald said a long friendship with Mieuli and a love of the game spurred him to offer the loan, which is expected to be approved when the owners meet today.

“I love the NBA and I love being around the NBA,” Fitzgerald said. “But I don’t want to be around it as much as I was when I was an owner. It was just too stressful.”

Fitzgerald did not rule out a possible return as owner of the Warriors.

“Well, it’s not out of the question,” he said. “As far as this arrangement, you’ll have to ask Franklin.”

Mieuli could not be reached for comment.

Fitzgerald did not define what his role would be in return for the loan. However, a person familiar with the deal said Fitzgerald will have “review capacity” over the Warriors’ operation.

Mike Norris, once the best pitcher on the Oakland A’s staff, was dropped from the A’s minor league team at Modesto after traces of codeine were spotted in his latest drug test.

Norris, who had a 22-9 record in 1980, has had previous drug and alcohol problems. He was on his way back to the big leagues after two promising outings with Modesto before the routine drug test June 19. Now his future is in doubt again.

Norris, who said he got a prescription for the pills from his dentist, was arrested twice earlier this year in connection with drugs and underwent treatment at clinics in Oakland and San Diego. He still faces legal action in those cases.

Veronica Porsche Ali filed for divorce from former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in Los Angeles Superior Court. They were married June 19, 1977, and have two children, Hanna Yasmeen, 8, and Laila, 7. On the form filed Tuesday she listed irreconcilable differences as the reason for wanting the divorce.

Memphis State University officials will investigate allegations of special favors for athletes. Dr. Roy Nicks, chancellor of the state Board of Regents, said the investigation will be coordinated by Ben Hale, a retired FBI agent hired by Memphis State to shield athletes from dope dealers and gamblers.

The investigation reportedly will include reports by the Memphis Commercial Appeal and Sports Illustrated magazine that Memphis State basketball Coach Dana Kirk offered $10,000 to relatives of All-American Keith Lee while recruiting the 6-foot-10 forward four years ago.

Kirk has denied offering money to any athletes but has refused to discuss the allegations concerning Lee.

Sam Randolph of Santa Barbara shot a two-under-par 70 at the Pebble Beach Golf Links to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds of qualifying for the 74th California Golf Assn. Amateur Championship.

Randolph, 20, an All-American at USC, eagled the par-5 14th hole and had three birdies and three bogeys en route to a 36-hole total of 139.

At 141 were Ed Cuff, 23, of La Mesa, and Tom Silva, 22, of Santa Clara, a pair of contenders who played their college golf at San Jose State.

At 143 was Lee Davis, 40, of Thousand Oaks and at 146 was Steve Bogan of Placentia.

It took a score of 157 or better for 73 players to make the cut for today’s third and final round of qualifying. The low 32 qualifiers will advance to match play on Thursday.

Riverside International Raceway officials have dropped negotiations with the city of Corona and county of Riverside for relocation of their racing facility in the Prado Basin area near Corona.

“While the completed feasibility report will not be presented for a few weeks, we are aware of size and access restraints that will prevent us from building the type of facility originally planned,” said David Greenwood, president of the raceway. The chief stumbling blocks are a burial ground that would have to be relocated and the time needed by the Corps of Engineers, which owns the property, for an environmental impact study.

The current raceway is scheduled to be closed in December, 1986. Four other sites are under consideration--Glen Helen Park in San Bernardino county, the Indian Dunes-Magic Mountain area in north Los Angeles County, and two near Elsinore in Riverside County.

Names in the News

Rosendo (Rusty) Torres, a former outfielder with the Angels, was sentenced to perform 300 hours of community service for a drug conviction. New York State Supreme Court Justice George McInerney also placed the 36-year-old Torres on a five-year probation.