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Anaheim May Plan on Angel Move

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From Times Staff and Wire Reports

The city of Anaheim will not refurbish or replace Angel Stadium if the team continues to affiliate itself with Los Angeles and will expect the team to move to Los Angeles in 11 years, according to a court filing by city attorneys.

The Angels can opt out of their stadium lease in 2016, and owner Arte Moreno has openly wondered what condition the ballpark might be in by then.

If the Angels wish to stay in Anaheim in a new or renovated stadium, the city claims, they should drop Los Angeles and feature the Anaheim name because “only by doing so will Anaheim have sufficient incentive to ... make the economic concessions to keep the team in Anaheim.”

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The city argues that permitting the Angels “to adopt the Los Angeles name and affiliate with Los Angeles for the next 11 years will, if anything, facilitate a move to Los Angeles in 2017, after more than a decade of paving the way by promoting Los Angeles and (becoming) LA’s team.”

The city also contends it did not accede to the Los Angeles Rams’ demands before the team left for St. Louis “largely because this team with another city’s name did not engender the loyalty or the economic return to justify the necessary concessions.”

Moreno has said he wants to stay in Anaheim but would consider moving the team if the legal battle with the city reaches an appellate court. The city charges the Los Angeles name violates the team’s stadium lease. A trial is set to start Monday, although much if not all of the first week is expected to be taken up by pretrial motions and jury selection.

-- Bill Shaikin

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The Houston Astros agreed to a contract with outfielder Preston Wilson that will pay him $4.5 million for one season or $28 million over four years.

Former Dodger Jason Phillips and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor league contract, and the catcher was invited to spring training.

Outfielder Jeromy Burnitz was attempting to finalize terms on a one-year contract with Pittsburgh.

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Marquis Grissom agreed to a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.

JURISPRUDENCE

Hearns Is Accused of Striking His Son

Former boxing champion Thomas Hearns has been accused of striking his son during an argument, and faces misdemeanor assault and battery charges.

Police in Southfield, Mich., said they were called to Hearns’ home by his wife on Sunday and told that the 47-year-old boxer struck his 13-year-old son.

Maurice Clarett faced a judge for the first time since he was accused of robbing two people with a gun in an alley behind a downtown bar early Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Clarett did not speak and was not asked to make a plea. He was released after posting $50,000 bond. Clarett’s next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12.

TENNIS

Hewitt Struggles Early, Then Wins in Australia

Top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt beat Jan Hernych, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, in the first round of the Australian men’s hardcourt tennis championships at Adelaide, Australia.

Top-ranked Roger Federer defeated Ivo Minar, 6-1, 6-3, in the first round of the Qatar Open at Doha.

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Taylor Dent won his singles match and combined with Lisa Raymond in the clinching mixed doubles to give the United States a 2-1 victory over Russia in the Hopman Cup at Perth, Australia.

MISCELLANY

Texas Christian Kicker Is Found Shot to Death

Texas Christian freshman kicker Kasey Davis was shot to death early Tuesday, his body found in his car by police in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Conroe, Texas.

Police arrested Jeffrey Clay Lasiter, and charged him with murder. Police are unsure of a motive.

Motor racing legends Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby have been selected co-recipients of the seventh annual Eagle One-Shav Glick Award, recognizing distinguished contribution to motorsports in California.

PASSINGS

Umphrey Dies After Heart Attack, Stroke

A private funeral is being planned for longtime Calder racing secretary Bob Umphrey, 53, who died Monday night at a Hollywood, Fla., hospital after suffering a heart attack and stroke Sunday.

Umphrey, who had been at Calder in Miami since 1993, had held the same position at various other tracks, including Hollywood Park.

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He worked in Inglewood for three years in the 1980s, including when the track played host to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984.

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