Tribune has favorite to buy Cubs

Tribune Co., which owns The Times, has chosen a favorite among three finalists to buy the Cubs, the Chicago Tribune reported, and appears to be winding down a lengthy search for a new owner.

The paper, citing a source close to the situation, reported the company gave the recommendation to a creditors committee in its bankruptcy case, although the committee has no veto power over the sale of the Cubs and Wrigley Field. The report did not say who the favorite was or how much was offered.

But the Chicago Sun-Times, citing a person familiar with the process, reported on its website Thursday that Chicago financier Tom Ricketts was the recommended candidate.

“We have no official word to pass along,” said Dennis Culloton, a spokesman for Ricketts. “Those reports are premature.”

Cubs chairman Crane Kenney and Tribune spokesman Gary Weitman declined to comment.

The New York Mets aren’t interested in signing free-agent Manny Ramirez, according to the team’s chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon.

First baseman Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a preliminary agreement on an $18-million, two-year contract. The agreement is subject to a physical, Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin said.

NFL

Union chief search narrows

In what’s shaping up as a contest between former NFL Players Assn. presidents Troy Vincent and Trace Armstrong, the union narrowed its list to five candidates to succeed the late Gene Upshaw as executive director. The Associated Press cited a source who said the other three candidates were former Bears tackle Jim Covert; Ben Utt, who played for Baltimore and Indianapolis; and Washington attorney DeMaurice Smith.

New York Giants receiver Taye Biddle is recovering from gunshot wounds to his hand and leg after being shot while visiting family in Decatur, Ala. Police said Biddle was treated and released from a local hospital and there was no evidence Biddle caused or provoked the shooting.

The death of former NFL defensive lineman Shane Dronett has been ruled a suicide, the Gwinnett County, Ga., medical examiner’s chief forensics investigator said. Dronett, 38, was found dead at his home Wednesday.

ETC.

Kings make moves

The Kings reassigned goaltender Jonathan Bernier and forward Kevin Westgarth to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League. Forward Brad Richardson has returned to the Kings after his conditioning assignment in Manchester. . . . The Ducks reassigned left wing Drew Miller, right wing Troy Bodie and defenseman Brendan Mikkelson to the Iowa Chops of the AHL.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will miss the All-Star game because of a left knee injury. Tampa Bay scoring leader Martin St. Louis will replace him in Sunday’s game.

A Kentucky high school football coach was charged with reckless homicide in the death of a player who collapsed during a sweltering practice. A grand jury indicted David Jason Stinson in the death of Pleasure Ridge Park offensive lineman Max Gilpin. Stinson, in his first year as head coach at the Louisville school, was directing practice Aug. 20 when the heat index reached 94 degrees and the 15-year-old collapsed and had trouble breathing. He died three days later.

The long wait for Manny Pacquiao’s signature on a contract to fight Ricky Hatton is over, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum said, a move likely to resurrect a May 2 bout in Las Vegas. Arum said the contract would be reviewed this morning.

PASSINGS

Werber dies at age 100

Bill Werber, who was the oldest living ex-major leaguer and a former teammate of Babe Ruth, has died at age 100. Section B