In N.Y., Christian Red notes MUHAMMAD ALI "joined about 3,000 mourners" yesterday for JOE FRAZIER's funeral at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Rev. JESSE JACKSON "was one of several pastors who spoke about Frazier's greatness as a human being and a boxing champion." LARRY HOLMES, MICHAEL and LEON SPINKS and DON KING "were among the boxing elite" in attendance. DONALD TRUMP, MIKE TYSON and actor MICKEY ROURKE all "sent video tributes that were played on a jumbo screen" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/15).
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Loria's franchise recently changed its
name to the Miami Marlins |
WHATEVER WORKS: FORBES' Nathan Vardi wrote Marlins Owner
JEFFREY LORIA is "one of the most unorthodox owners in professional sports," and his "ownership of the newly renamed Miami Marlins has officially become a success." Vardi noted Loria "stands in stark contrast to the biggest problem baseball faces today, irresponsible owners who are sinking important franchises with their own reckless behavior." The Marlins have "put down $155 million for their new stadium and now appear poised to invest more money at precisely the right time -- when [their] new stadium opens" (
FORBES.com, 11/14).
NAMES: Eagles RB LESEAN MCCOY "intends to re-sign with agent DREW ROSENHAUS," but no paperwork can be signed until this week. McCoy "fired Rosenhaus for the second time about one week ago, but after interviewing several other agents, McCoy has decided to re-sign" with him (NFL.com, 11/13)....TaylorMade VP/PGA Tour Operations KEITH SBARBARO will caddie for golfer DUSTIN JOHNSON this week in the Presidents Cup in Victoria, Australia (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/15)....MLB Rangers manager RON WASHINGTON and Blue Jays P CHAD GAUDIN, both New Orleans natives, Sunday "hosted a baseball clinic for about 100 area kids as a kick off to the future opening of the New Orleans Urban Youth Academy" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 11/14)....MiLB named D'Backs VP & Special Assistant to the GM BOB GEBHARD the '11 recipient of the Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award (D'Backs)....Former MLB Giants Payroll Manager ROBIN O'CONNOR "faces up to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty Monday to wire fraud for embezzling more than $2.2 million from team accounts" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/15)....Singer JON BON JOVI watched Sunday night's Jets-Patriots game "in a suite with New England Patriots owner BOB KRAFT." Sources said that Bon Jovi, "who's talked openly about pursuing NFL ownership, has been getting advice from" Kraft about investing in the game (N.Y. POST, 11/15)....Celtics broadcasters TOMMY HEINSOHN and MIKE GORMAN and ESPN's JACKIE MACMULLAN last week chatted "about the LARRY BIRD-MAGIC JOHNSON era with TONY PONTURO and FRAN KIRMSER, the producers of the 'Magic/Bird' show that's headed to Broadway" at Boston-area restaurant West End Johnnies (BOSTON HERALD, 11/14)....Former tennis player ANNA KOURNIKOVA will not be returning to NBC's "The Biggest Loser" as a trainer (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 11/14).
IN MEMORY: LOUIS "LOU" MIRABILE, one of the founders of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, died Nov. 6 at the age of 97 "after a long battle with respiratory problems and other health complications" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 11/15).
