Rockies co-Owner & General Partner CHARLIE MONFORT on Monday "was arrested" on suspicion of DUI and released yesterday on a $2,500 bond, with his arraignment scheduled for Nov. 19. He also was cited for driving 10-19 MPH over the speed limit. Monfort, who previously was arrested for DUI in '99, in a statement said, "I'm extremely disappointed in myself for the decision I made to drink and drive." He has "been phased out of the day-to-day operations" of the team over the past several years. Rockies co-Owner, Chair & CEO DICK MONFORT said, "As troubling and intolerable as these actions are, I can tell you that I'm focused on helping Charlie get the resources he needs to overcome this problem" (DENVER POST, 11/6).
ON THE DOCKET: Former NFLer BOBBY DOUGLASS and former college football player JOHN CORNELL are suing the NFL and Riddell, "claiming that they developed brain damage from head injuries suffered on the field." The suit states that Riddell was "negligent for failing to warn players their helmets wouldn't protect them from concussions." Attorney WILLIAM GIBBS, who is representing the two, said that the suit "will likely be consolidated into a lawsuit brought by more than 4,500 former players against the NFL" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/6).
DOCTOR'S ORDERS: In L.A., Diane Pucin profiles DR. NEAL ELATTRACHE, who "started attracting many of the best athletes to his practice" at the beginning of his career. Lakers G KOBE BRYANT said of ElAttrache, "He's always had a great reputation. I've known him for quite some time. He did one of my knee operations and I was pleased with that, so when it came time to do my Achilles, he was obviously a natural choice." Surfer LAIRD HAMILTON added, "What I like about him was that surgery was his last resort. He would want to try everything else first." When Patriots QB TOM BRADY "needed knee surgery" in '08, he called ElAttrache. Brady said, "There's a fine line between being too conservative and too aggressive, and what he's able to do is find that line and get athletes back on the field, recovered and competitive" (L.A. TIMES, 11/6).
SPEAKING OF DOCTORS...: Basketball HOFer JULIUS ERVING is making the rounds promoting his new book, "DR. J: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY." In addition to appearing on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" last night, Erving was on "CBS This Morning" yesterday, and CBS' Charlie Rose said Erving in his playing days "could galvanize a crowd like few others," as he "revolutionized the game with thunderous dunks and high-flying artistry." Erving said it took two years to complete the book, which contains "part of six decades" of his life. CBS' Gayle King said in the book, Erving is "so candid and so brutal and so raw" ("CBS This Morning," CBS, 11/5).
N.Y. MARATHON FINISHERS: In addition to THE DAILY's list of sports execs who completed the ING N.Y. Marathon on Sunday, The Legacy Agency Principal RUSSELL SPIELMAN ran the race in 4:21:47 and wrote, "I always knew if I ever attempted something like that it had to be the NYC Marathon. It was also great to (see) CC SABATHIA and his "PitCCh In Foundation". ... I was very fortunate to see my family twice on the route and also so many friends and family along the way to help push me to finish." MLS Dir of Corporate Communications SEAN DENNISON wrote of his experience, "I didn’t break any records but my second marathon was an amazing experience. Family, friends and the supportive crowd -- especially the ones who stay late to cheer on the slower folks -- help you reach the finish line. A day I’ll never forget" (THE DAILY).
NAMES: Sources said that the MLBPA is "investigating whether JAY Z might have violated the union's agent regulations" by giving free agent 2B ROBINSON CANO a $33,900, limited-edition Shawn Carter Classic Fusion watch by Hublot during Cano's 31st birthday party in Belgium on Oct. 22 (ESPN.com, 11/5)....NFL Giants President & CEO JOHN MARA's nephew, STEPHEN MARA, was arrested yesterday for arson (WSJ.com, 11/5)....NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON yesterday awarded $470,000 to nine different schools as part of the annual grants he and his wife, CHANDRA, have given out the last four years. The money is earmarked for schools in El Cajon, Calif., Muskogee, Okla., and Charlotte, N.C. (AP, 11/5)....Baseball HOFer BILL MAZEROSKI's World Series-winning home run in '60 "will be the center of the 10th annual Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory Auction on Nov. 9 at the plant in Kentucky" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 11/5)....Indiana State Univ. has erected a 15-foot-tall statue of Pacers President of Basketball Operations LARRY BIRD (AP, 11/5)....Former MLBer ERIC GAGNE listed his 6,000-square-foot home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., as a $2.695M short sale (REALTOR.com, 11/5)....The real estate agent for Buccaneers coach GREG SCHIANO said that he “recently dropped the price -- for the third time -- on his 8,500-square-foot house near Rutgers' football stadium." The house, originally listed for $2.3M 19 months ago, is now available for $1.595M (NJ.com, 11/4).
IN MEMORY: Former 76ers equipment manager JEFF MILLMAN died last night. Millman spent five decades with the organization (Sixers). Freelance writer ANDY JASNER posted," Deeply saddened by the loss of Jeff Millman. One of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Heart of gold. Take care of my dad. PR consultant JOE FAVORITO: "Very sad to hear about the passing of 1 of the most kind, funny and genuine people in hoops ex Sixers equipment guy Jeff Millman" (THE DAILY).
