Lawton Draws Drug Suspension

Former All-Star outfielder Matt Lawton was suspended Wednesday for a positive steroid test, becoming the 12th player penalized for violating Major League Baseball’s policy.

Lawton, acquired by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 27 and then left off the postseason roster, is a free agent.

He would serve a 10-day suspension at the start of next season.

An All-Star with Minnesota in 2000 and Cleveland in 2004, Lawton, who turns 34 today, hit a combined .254 with 13 home runs and 53 runs batted in this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cubs and Yankees.

Lawton has a .267 average with 138 homers, 165 steals and 630 RBIs in 11 seasons.

His positive test was the third announced by the commissioner’s office since the end of the regular season, following those of Texas pitcher Carlos Almanzar and New York Met pitcher Felix Heredia.

Pitching coach Bud Black, 48, agreed to a contract for the 2006 and 2007 seasons, bringing the entire Angel major league coaching staff under contract for 2006.

Carl Lindner agreed to sell the controlling interest in the Cincinnati Reds to a group of area businessmen, led by Robert Castellini, chairman of a Cincinnati-based produce company and a relative of a family that owned the team from 1966 to 1984.

Chicago Cub pitcher Greg Maddux won his 15th Gold Glove, one shy of the record shared by Jim Kaat and Brooks Robinson.

San Francisco Giant shortstop Omar Vizquel won his 10th Gold Glove. Atlanta outfielder Andruw Jones won his eighth straight Gold Glove, and St. Louis outfielder Jim Edmonds also won his eighth.

Giant catcher Mike Matheny won his fourth. Florida second baseman Luis Castillo won his third and third baseman Mike Lowell earned his first.

Cub first baseman Derrek Lee won his second and Philadelphia outfielder Bobby Abreu was a first-time winner.

Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez was cautioned by the team that playing poker in illegal clubs could be dangerous and harmful to his image, according to the New York Daily News. Scott Boras, Rodriguez’s agent, denied the report.

Meanwhile, former first base and outfield coach Lee Mazzilli rejoined the Yankees as Joe Torre’s bench coach, replacing Joe Girardi, who left to manage the Florida Marlins.

Mazzilli was fired as manager of the Baltimore Orioles in August.

Pitcher Eddie Guardado’s $6.25-million option for next season was exercised by the Seattle Mariners.... Pittsburgh left-hander Mark Redman exercised his $4.5-million player option for next season after the Pirates declined their $4.95-million team option.... As expected, Pat Gillick became the Philadelphia Phillies’ general manager, signing a three-year contract. He replaced the fired Ed Wade.... Former closer John Wetteland was hired as the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers’ double-A affiliate.... Former Dodger general manager Fred Claire joined the board of directors of the L.A. Sports Council.

MOTORSPORTS

Earnhardt Heads

Hall of Fame Inductees

The late Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time NASCAR champion, heads the latest class of inductees to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Earnhardt is joined by team owner Jack Roush, NASCAR ace Harry Gant, female racing pioneer Janet Guthrie and racing executive H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler in the class, which will be inducted April 27 in Talladega, Ala.

Earnhardt was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500 in 2001.

COLLEGES

Tulane Basketball

to Return to City

Tulane will return to New Orleans for the basketball season, with the men playing 10 games, including their entire Conference USA home schedule at Fogelman Arena after Hurricane Katrina. Their first home game is Dec. 27.

The women’s team will also play most of its games at Fogelman, beginning Dec. 18.

Bradley has appealed the NCAA’s ruling banning its Braves nickname in postseason play beginning next year.

SOCCER

FIFA Announces

$425-Million TV Deals

FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, announced two U.S. television deals worth $425 million.

Under a contract reportedly worth $100 million, Disney networks ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will televise the men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2014, the women’s World Cup in 2007 and 2011, the Confederations Cup in 2009 and 2013, and other FIFA events.

FIFA made a similar deal with Spanish-language Univision worth $325 million.

TENNIS

Roddick Ousts Dent

at Paris Masters

Top-seeded Andy Roddick beat Taylor Dent, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, to reach the third round of the Paris Masters.

Also advancing was No. 12 Robby Ginepri, who beat Fernando Verdasco, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-3.

Elena Dementieva kept alive her hopes of reaching the WTA Championships next week at Staples Center by beating Angelika Bachmann, 6-3, 6-4, in the second round of the Advanta Championships at Philadelphia. Dementieva, seeded fourth, needs to reach the semifinals to earn a WTA invitation.

MISCELLANY

Jockeys’ Guild

Targets Leadership

The Jockeys’ Guild has called an emergency meeting for Nov. 15 in Washington on removing its president, L. Wayne Gertmenian, and board of directors following an Oct. 19 congressional hearing into allegations of financial mismanagement, including a lapse in medical insurance coverage for its member jockeys.

University of San Diego football Coach Jim Harbaugh was arrested early Sunday on a charge of drunk driving after being stopped for running a stop sign in Encinitas, Calif.