Former L.A. Times sports writer Bob Nightengale filed
     suit last week against the Times and The Sporting News,
     "alleging he was fired for writing articles about racism in
     baseball that upset" Dodgers officials, according to USA
     TODAY's BASEBALL WEEKLY.  Nightengale "seeks unspecified
     damages" from both publications; their parent, Times Mirror
     Co.; and "several editors."  The suit, filed in L.A.
     Superior Court, "alleges wrongful termination, emotional
     distress and defamation, among other claims."  Nightengale
     claims his "firing was prompted by two articles he wrote
     about the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the
     color barrier."  Times Mirror attorney Karlene Goller
     refused comment on the suit (BASEBALL WEEKLY, 9/17 issue).