White Sox, Continuing Overhaul, Get Tartabull

The Chicago White Sox, hoping to add more power and protection in their lineup for Frank Thomas, acquired outfielder Danny Tartabull from the Oakland A’s for two minor leaguers Monday. Chicago sent left-handed pitcher Andrew Lorraine and outfielder Charles Poe to Oakland.

“I get the opportunity to be in a lineup with a force in the game like Frank Thomas,” Tartabull said. “You can only benefit from being around a guy like that.”

Lance Johnson, who led the American League in hits last season, is now with the New York Mets, and the White Sox traded veteran Tim Raines. They recently signed Tony Phillips and earlier had acquired outfielder Darren Lewis and veteran designated hitter Harold Baines.

*

Hideo Nomo, the Dodgers’ fourth consecutive National League rookie of the year winner, said he foresees no stumbling blocks in contract negotiations with the Dodgers. The Dodgers are discussing a one-year deal for about $500,000 and a multiyear contract. The highest-paid second-year player in Dodger history is catcher Mike Piazza, who received $600,000 in the first year of a three-year contract.

*

The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent outfielder Alex Cole to a one-year contract that clears the way for them to acquire ace reliever Heathcliff Slocumb from Philadelphia. . . . The Mets acquired outfielder Bernard Gilkey from the St. Louis Cardinals for three minor leaguers, right-handed pitchers Eric Ludwick and Erik Hiljus, and outfielder Yudith Ozorio.

Football

Overall attendance at NCAA college games declined in 1995, but increased for the largest programs. Attendance was 35.6 million for all 565 NCAA teams, down about 2% from a record 36.5 million in 1994. Division I-A, however, showed an increase, drawing 25.8 million fans.

The NCAA has granted All-Big West running back Abu Wilson of Utah State a hardship year of eligibility. Wilson, the Aggies’ most valuable player, missed the 1993 season because of a knee injury after having already used his redshirt year.

Rutgers hired Rod Sharpless as defensive coordinator, getting him from Virginia Tech where he held the same position.

Miscellany

Super middleweight boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. is trying to fulfill his dream of becoming a two-sport athlete by signing with the Florida Beachdogs of the Continental Basketball Assn. as a player-conditioning coach.

Jones will not be activated as a player, however, unless a spot opens on the 10-man roster. He said basketball would not affect his boxing career.

The Mighty Ducks signed free-agent right wing Frank Banham, who has played for the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League the last four seasons. Banham, 20, will report to the Ducks’ 1996 training camp.

World Cup ski leader Lasse Kjus of Norway was declared fit, less than two weeks after suffering a concussion and facial, body and neck injuries in a high-speed crash during a downhill practice run.

Georgia is right back where it started in the women’s basketball poll. The Lady Bulldogs moved into the No. 2 spot in the Associated Press poll. That’s where they were ranked early in the season before two losses in the first four games sent them tumbling to 12th.

Georgia has won 12 straight since and even stole a first-place vote from No. 1 Louisiana Tech, which led the poll for the 10th straight week. It was the first time in six weeks that Tech wasn’t a unanimous No. 1.

Michael Johnson, the world 200-meter and 400-meter track champion last year, has been voted winner of the 1996 Jesse Owens International Trophy. Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, who set world records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters last year, finished second with 71 points, and Britain’s Jonathan Edwards, who became the first triple jumper to surpass 60 feet, was third with 68 points.

National team forward Eric Wynalda has been allocated to play for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Clash.

Three more NASCAR stock car drivers were added to the lineup for the 1996 International Race of Champions. Rusty Wallace and Terry Labonte came from the Winston Cup series, and Johnny Benson came from the Busch Grand National series. Also named was former World of Outlaws sprint car champion Steve Kinser.

Lance Armstrong of Austin, Texas, a two-time Tour de France stage winner, will defend his 1995 Tour DuPont title when the 1,200-mile cycling event begins May 1 at Wilmington, Del.

Prize money for this year’s British Open golf tournament is up to $2.11 million, an increase of $226,500 from 1995. The winner’s share will climb to $302,000, an increase of $113,250.