Former India cricket captain SUNIL GAVASKAR has termed cricketer SACHIN TENDULKAR's retirement from int'l cricket as the "biggest" the game has ever seen, while "another former great" VVS Laxman feels that CAB's farewell arrangements won't cause "distraction" to him" (PTI 11/5). ... Cricket Association of Bengal on Tuesday "invited criticism" from Indian captain MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI during the customary pre-match press conference ahead of the opening Test against the West Indies. Dhoni "criticised the CAB for a goof-up in spelling Tendulkar's name on a giant billboard put up near the electronic scorecard at the High Court end." Dhoni said, "This is a very big (mistake)! It's there inside the stadium" (PTI, 11/5). ... Japanese Pacific League club Rakuten Eagles pitcher MASAHIRO TANAKA "offered no relief" on Tuesday to MLB teams waiting for word that the right-hander will become available through the posting system. Tanaka said, “I have nothing to say. That will come after I talk with the team” (KYODO, 11/5). ... La Liga Valencia sacked Sports Dir BRAULIO VAZQUEZ. Los Che were speculated in recent days as considering both Vazquez and Coach MIROSLAV DJUKIC's position at the club. With rumors suggesting that President AMADEO SALVO "was keen to keep faith with the Serb, it is the sporting director who has exited" (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 11/5). ... Spanish cyclist JOAQUIM RODRÍGUEZ will be recognized at the Camp Nou prior to Barcelona's Champions League match against Serie A side AC Milan on Wednesday. Rodríguez is currently ranked No. 1 in the Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 11/5).
