Park won’t play for South Korea

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Chan Ho Park will miss the World Baseball Classic after quitting South Korea’s national team.

Park, who finalized a $2.5-million, one-year contract with the Phillies last week, said Tuesday he needed to focus on trying to become a starter for the World Series champions.

“I’m very sorry to my fans and the people who wanted me to play in the WBC,” said Park, who briefly left the podium after breaking into tears. “I won’t be playing for the national team any more.”

Cuba is No. 1 in the International Baseball Federation’s first rankings. South Korea finished second and the United States third in a ranking system that assigned points based on finishes in sanctioned events over the last four years, or in a period that includes two IBAF Baseball World Cups.

Pitcher John Smoltz finalized his $5.5-million, one-year agreement with the Boston Red Sox.

Japanese All-Star pitcher Kenshin Kawakami agreed to a three-year contract with the Braves.

Right-hander Mark Prior, who has missed more than two full seasons because of shoulder problems, and infielder Chris Burke agreed to minor league contracts with the San Diego Padres and were invited to spring training.

Former Angels catcher Todd Greene was hired as the quality assurance coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, filling an instructional and self-scouting position added to Manager Joe Maddon’s staff before last year’s breakthrough season.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Utah’s Whittingham is coach of the year

Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham was the only coach to cast a No. 1 vote for his unbeaten team. On Tuesday, his fellow coaches gave him a consolation prize by naming him the American Football Coaches Assn.’s coach of the year in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Boston College named Frank Spaziani as head coach to replace Jeff Jagodzinski, who was fired after he interviewed with the New York Jets.

UCLA linebacker Reggie Carter and cornerback Alterraun Verner said they would forgo the draft after having considered filing paperwork to make them eligible to turn pro.

-- Chris Foster

All-American defensive end Aaron Maybin will skip his final two seasons at Penn State and make himself eligible for the NFL draft. . . . Wide receiver Jeremy Childs will leave Boise State after his junior year and as the school’s No. 2 all-time pass catcher. . . . Cornerback Asher Allen has joined the list of players leaving Georgia early. . . . Ball State quarterback Nate Davis announced he will give up his senior season to enter the draft. . . . As expected, Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree will give up his final two years of eligibility to enter the draft. . . . LSU running back Charles Scott and offensive lineman Ciron Black have scheduled a joint news conference today to announce whether they’ll remain with the Tigers or enter the draft.

HORSE RACING

Go Between dies after workout

Go Between, winner of the 2008 Pacific Classic at Del Mar and two other $1-million races, died after a workout Monday at the Payson Park training center in Indiantown, Fla., the Daily Racing Form reported. The 6-year-old horse appeared to die of cardiac arrest, said trainer Bill Mott.

SOCCER

Galaxy trades Harden’s rights

The Galaxy traded the Major League Soccer rights to defender Ty Harden to the Colorado Rapids on for a third-round pick in Thursday’s SuperDraft. Harden did not play last season.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Louisiana Tech player suspended

Louisiana Tech junior forward Kenny Cooper was suspended for the remainder of the season for repeatedly violating team rules. Coach Kerry Rupp said Cooper was not willing to make the commitment necessary to remain with the team.

HOCKEY

Bruins’ Sturm is out for season

Boston Bruins forward Marco Sturm is out for the season. Sturm, who led the Bruins with 27 goals last season, had surgery Tuesday on his left knee.

Sturm played 19 games this season and had seven goals and six assists before getting injured in an 8-5 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 18.