Golfer JASON DAY said that he will donate a portion of the $1.5M he earned in winning the World Cup of Golf yesterday to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines earlier this month. The tragedy claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people. Day's win came less than two weeks after learning eight relatives had died in the typhoon (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 11/24). Meanwhile, boxer MANNY PACQUIAO is "preparing for a visit to the typhoon-devastated city of Tacloban in the coming days." Pacquiao yesterday said that after his win over BRENDAN RIOS on Saturday, he now plans to "travel to the epicenter of this month's Typhoon Haiyan" (AP, 11/24).
AWARDS & HONORS: Former driver MARIO ANDRETTI headlines this year's inductees into the National Motorsports Press Association's HOF. Other inductees include former NASCAR crew chief RAY EVERNHAM and NASCAR journalist STEVE WAID. The class will be inducted Jan. 25, 2014 in Concord, N.C. (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/24)....CFL B.C. Lions GM & VP/Football Operations WALLY BUONO headlines this year's inductees into the Canadian Football HOF (THEGLOBEANDMAIL.com, 11/22)....The Univ. of Tennessee on Friday unveiled women's basketball coach emeritus PAT SUMMITT's plaza and statue outside the Thompson-Boling Arena and Pratt Pavilion (ESPNW.com, 11/22). More than 1,000 people came to the unveiling (GOVOLSXTRA.com, 11/23).
CHARITY STRIPE: The Blackhawks on Friday announced that they will donate $200,000 to the Washington (Ill.) Tornado Relief Fund (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 11/22)....Retired swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS and his sisters, HILARY and WHITNEY, spoke on Saturday at the Education Foundation for Baltimore County Public Schools. The nonprofit group "awards grants for programming and curriculum initiatives for county schoolchildren." The fundraiser also benefited the Port Discovery Children's Museum, where the breakfast was held (Baltimore SUN, 11/24).
NAMES: Former White Sox scout VICTOR MATEO on Friday was "sentenced to 8 months in prison for his role in an elaborate kickback scheme masterminded" by former White Sox Senior Dir of Player Personnel DAVID WILDER, who "pocketed nearly half a million dollars generated by inflated signing bonuses and contract buyouts of young prospects." Before he was sentenced, Mateo, who "pleaded guilty to fraud for kicking back about $80,000 involving three players, apologized to the White Sox and baseball in general" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 11/22)....The USGA has acquired the rights to late SI photographer HY PESKIN's golf library, which features some 1,700 images. He was SI's first staff photographer and produced more than 40 covers for the magazine (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 11/25 issue)....Heat F UDONIS HASLEM’s “first Subway franchise will open at the Oakwood Plaza in Hollywood, Fla., with a grand opening scheduled for Dec. 12.” Haslem said, “It’s been probably on my mind the last three or four years, just trying to build something else outside of basketball” (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 11/22)….Former NFLer LAVERANUES COLES is “planning a restaurant” in downtown Jacksonville (JACKSONVILLE.com, 11/23)….Pirates CF ANDREW MCCUTCHEN was a presenter at last night's American Music Awards in L.A. He gave out the award for Favorite Male Artist -- Country (MLB.com, 11/24)….Vikings QB CHRISTIAN PONDER found a buyer for his Minnesota mansion “just two weeks after the house hit the market” (STARTRIBUNE.com, 11/22).
IN MEMORY: MLS Sounders Spanish-language play-by-play announcer VICTOR HERNANDEZ died Friday at the age of 38 “after a battle with colon cancer.” He had been the team’s broadcaster since its inception in ’10 (SEATTLE TIMES, 11/24).
