Blues Trade Janney for Sharks’ Norton

Craig Janney, who left the St. Louis Blues last month in a dispute over playing time, was traded Monday to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Jeff Norton, a fourth-round draft choice in 1997 and future considerations.

The center, 27, who was third on the Blues in scoring last season with 16 goals and 68 assists, is scheduled to earn $2 million next season, which was a stumbling block in trade discussions. But Mike Keenan, the new general manager and coach, said the Blues will pay part of his salary.

Baseball

Willie Hernandez, winner of the American League’s most valuable player and Cy Young awards in 1984, began a comeback at age 40, agreeing to a minor league contract to pitch as a replacement for the New York Yankees.

Baseball officials toured the St. Petersburg (Fla.) ThunderDome for three hours as expansion candidates prepared to make their final presentations to owners. The five groups from four cities will make 30-minute presentations to the expansion committee today.

Coach Don Zimmer of the Colorado Rockies made satisfactory progress in his recovery from a temporary loss of blood flow to the brain. Zimmer, 64, remained in intensive care, but doctors were considering moving him into a regular room.

Richie Ashburn and Larry Doby are considered among the top candidates for election today to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

Sailing

Less than 24 hours after the $3-million yacht oneAustralia broke in two and sank within two minutes into the stormy Pacific Ocean, skipper John Bertrand said he can still win the America’s Cup.

There was no hint of despair as the Aussies prepared their backup boat, also named oneAustralia, for today’s race against national rival Sydney 95.

The Aussies weren’t ready to sail Monday and skipped their race against France 3 after an international jury refused to reschedule it. OneAustralia already has qualified for the semifinals, while France is fighting for the last berth. France 3 simply circled the race course to collect five points.

College Basketball

UCLA (23-2) was a near-unanimous choice for No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Kansas (22-4) moved up one spot to No. 2 with one first-place vote.

Maryland Coach Gary Williams should be discharged from a hospital by Wednesday, school officials said. Williams was admitted with pneumonia on Feb. 29. He is not expected to rejoin the team until the NCAA tournament.

Pro Football

The Atlanta Falcons, in search of a deep threat at wide receiver to replace the departed Andre Rison, said they had agreed to terms with free agent J.J. Birden, who spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. . . . The San Diego Chargers extended their lease at Jack Murphy Stadium for another 25 years after city officials promised $60 million in improvements.

Former Miami Dolphin receiver Mark Duper bought cocaine from a man who turned informant as soon as he was arrested, prosecutors said at Duper’s drug trial in Miami.

Names in the News

James Page, fighting for the first time in 9 1/2 months, knocked out Alfred Ankamah 2:23 into their scheduled 12-round welterweight bout at the Forum. Page improved to 13-2 with 10 knockouts. Ankamah is 12-1. . . . Simon Hobday and Dave Stockton shot two-under-par 70s at Los Cabos, Mexico, to share the first-round lead at the $500,000 Senior Slam, a tournament for the winners of last season’s four majors on the Senior PGA Tour. Raymond Floyd shot a 72 and Lee Trevino opened with an 80 in the 36-hole event. . . . Don Riley, who coached the UCLA offensive line from 1976 through ‘87, is returning to that position. . . . British solo racer Harry Mitchell, 70, remained lost at sea in the BOC round-the-world race for a fourth day. . . . Sprinter Linford Christie withdrew from this week’s World Indoor Track and Field Championships. . . . Johan Kriek defeated Peter Fleming, 6-1, 6-2, in Naples, Fla., in the first match of the Nuveen Masters, a new men’s over-35 pro tennis tour.