In N.Y., George Willis notes boxing promoter DON KING "mourned the death" of Venezuelan President HUGO CHAVEZ by "asking a 10-count be held before Saturday night's boxing card at the Barclays Center." It is "unclear whether Chavez qualifies," and "even if he did, a 10-count for the controversial leader would please some and anger others." King said, "Many people may or may not like him or whatever they may do. But I love him. He was my brother" (N.Y. POST, 3/7).
LIKE A MACHINE: In Cincinnati, Paul Daugherty writes Reds Baseball Research & Analysis Manager SAM GROSSMAN is the "most important Cincinnati Red you've never heard of." Every MLB team "works the statistics now," and what the Reds do "very well, judging from the recent results, is find players who fit their small ballpark and their medium budget." With the Reds, "instead of scouts and nerds battling it out over players, the numbers encourage discussion." Grossman said, "It's a balanced approach. [GM WALT JOCKETTY] starts with the scouting reports, then he'll bring in the statistical analysis to support the reports, or refute them. We find the common ground" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 3/7).
BETWEEN THE HEDGES: Univ. of Georgia offensive coordinator MIKE BOBO "got a $240,000 pay raise as all nine of the Bulldogs' assistant coaches received salary increases this week." Offensive line coach WILL FRIEND "got a $90,000 raise to $300,000 a year," while WRs coach TONY BALL "received a $50,000-a-year-raise to $260,000." Other football assistants including defensive coordinator TODD GRANTHAM, "all received $25,000 salary increases." Defensive line coach CHRIS WILSON was "recently hired for $250,000 a year" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 3/7).
NAMES: Broncos QB PEYTON MANNING from Feb. 25-March 2 went on a USO tour "in what he describes as a life-changing event." Manning kept a detailed journal and wrote, "I am going to tell any athlete I know to go on a USO tour. I will do another one" (ESPN.com, 3/6)....Ravens RB RAY RICE is "throwing his weight behind a Maryland bill that would make cyber-bullying a minor crime." Rice "alerted his online fan base" yesterday that he is supporting Baltimore County Delegate JON CARDIN's proposal (BALTIMORESUN.com, 3/6)....ESPN's "SportsNation" host CHARISSA THOMPSON and actor JOEY LAWRENCE will host ABC's new reality diving show "Splash" (ESPN.com, 3/6)....Jaguars Owner SHAHID KHAN will speak at the Univ. of Illinois' spring commencement on May 12 (AP, 3/7)....MSG Exec Chair JAMES DOLAN is "splitting with" wife KRISTIN after 11 years of marriage. The couple "amicably separated over the holidays" (N.Y. POST, 3/7).
