Valentine Decides It’s Best to Keep Managing in Japan

The original Dodger plan to replace fired general manager Paul DePodesta and manager Jim Tracy has all but disintegrated.

Bobby Valentine, who emerged as the choice to replace Tracy once team owner Frank McCourt began to emphasize bringing in former Dodgers, reportedly has agreed to a new three-year contract to manage the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

Contacted Friday night, Valentine said he had yet to sign the contract, which is worth about $4 million a year.

It’s unknown whether the deal contains an escape clause for him to return to the U.S., but the Dodgers could not come close to matching his salary. Tracy was paid $700,000 a year.

Valentine, who last season led the Marines to their first championship in 31 seasons, is so popular in Japan that a beer was named after him. Cans of BoBeer feature a cartoon likeness of Valentine giving a thumbs-up.

When DePodesta was fired two weeks ago, the plan was to hire veteran GM Pat Gillick, Valentine and former Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser. Only Hershiser, who is interested in either becoming manager or joining the front office, is still available.

-- Steve Henson and Tim Brown

Byrd Hears Offers From Other Teams

Free-agent pitcher Paul Byrd, who went 12-11 with a 3.74 earned run average in 31 starts with the Angels last season, received several offers Friday, the first day teams could discuss financial terms for free agents on other clubs.

The Angels have made a one-year offer to the veteran right-hander. At least one of the other offers is for three years.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

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Arizona Diamondback pitcher Javier Vazquez filed a formal trade demand, giving the team until March 15 to deal him. The right-hander had the right to file the demand during the 15 days after the World Series because he was a veteran player traded during a multiyear contract.

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John Shelby was hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first base and outfield coach, the third member of Tracy’s Dodger staff to join him in Pittsburgh.

Shelby rejoins bench coach Jim Lett and pitching coach Jim Colborn. Also joining Tracy’s staff is bullpen coach Bobby Cuellar.

GOLF

Howell, Dougherty Share Shanghai Lead

Tiger Woods saved par on the last hole after hitting a five-wood into the water to finish with a three-under-par 69, two shots behind co-leaders David Howell and Nick Dougherty after two rounds of the HSBC Champions tournament at Shanghai.

Howell shot a bogey-free round with five birdies for a 67 and Dougherty had a four-under 68 to head into the weekend at 12-under 132. Woods and Nick O’Hern (67) are tied at 10 under.

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Christina Kim shot a five-under 67 for a 10-under 134 and a share of the second-round lead with Rachel Hetherington in the Mitchell Company LPGA Tournament of Champions at Mobile, Ala.

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Jason Gore and Fred Funk shot a nine-under 63 to take the lead after the first round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout at Naples, Fla.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Louisville Runs It Up on Rutgers, 56-5

Brian Brohm passed for 339 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score for No. 23 Louisville, and running back Kolby Smith scored three touchdowns for Louisville (7-2, 3-2 Big East Conference).

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UC Irvine Sets Record With 94-40 Victory

UC Irvine set a school record for margin of victory against a Division I opponent with a 94-40 victory over Mississippi Valley State in the consolation game of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic at Winston-Salem, N.C.

The previous record was 46 points in a 108-62 win over San Diego on Jan. 10, 1981.

Nic Campbell scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Anteaters (1-1).

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Four high school players have signed letters of intent to play women’s basketball at USC next season: guard Jacki Gemelos of Stockton St. Mary’s, guard Hailey Dunham of Windward Academy, guard-forward Morgan Medlock of Narbonne and forward Aarika Hughes of Beaverton (Ore.) Southridge.

MOTOR RACING

Bodine Wins Another Craftsman Trucks Race

Todd Bodine drove to his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory a row, winning the Chevy Silverado 150 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Bodine’s Toyota pulled away from the Chevrolet of runner-up Ron Hornaday Jr. when racing resumed after a crash with 19 laps remaining.

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Rip Michels and Nick Lynch won their Elite division qualifying races of NASCAR’s Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.

Lynch, a Southwest Series driver, edged Greg Pursley by 0.003 seconds in the first 50-lap race, the closest finish in Irwindale history. Former Irwindale track champion Michels won the other 50-lap race.

Two championship races will begin today at 5 p.m.

PRO FOOTBALL

Jaguars’ Taylor Will Not Play Against Ravens

Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor will not play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens because of an injury to his right ankle.

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Washington Redskin safety Sean Taylor is likely to sit out Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a sprained ankle.

COLLEGE SOCCER

Pepperdine Wins NCAA Opener, 1-0

The fourth-seeded Pepperdine women’s team defeated Mississippi, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament at Nashville.

Forward Lindsey Redlin scored for the Waves (14-3-3) at the 38:08 mark.

In Fullerton, Leah Gallegos’ goal in the 49th minute gave USC a 1-0 victory over Gonzaga. The Trojans advance to play Cal State Fullerton, which defeated Nevada Las Vegas, 1-0.

Top-seeded UCLA (18-1-2) had a 9-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State at Drake Stadium.

The Bruins will play Colorado, which beat UC Riverside on penalty kicks, 4-3. It was scoreless through two overtimes.

MISCELLANY

Illini Name Approved, Chief Illiniwek Isn’t

The University of Illinois may keep its “Fighting Illini” nickname, although it will have to drop its Chief Illiniwek mascot to conform with NCAA rules.

Illinois was among 18 schools named by the NCAA as having “hostile or abusive” American Indian mascots and nicknames under a policy enacted in August.

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Cal State Los Angeles President James M. Rosser named Dan Bridges, formerly of San Bernardino Valley College, athletic director. Bridges, who will take over on Jan. 3, replaces Carol M. Dunn, who is retiring after 17 years.

PASSINGS

Former NHRA Driver Sarver Commits Suicide

Bruce Sarver, a former NHRA funny car driver, committed suicide in Bakersfield on Thursday, Kern County coroner Jim Malouf said. Sarver, 43, died of a gunshot wound.

A two-time winner in the funny car division, Sarver, turned professional in 1996 and finished in the top 10 in the funny car standings twice during his five-year career.