Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Lew Burdette, MVP of the 1957 World Series when he pitched the Milwaukee Braves to their only championship, died yesterday in Winter Garden, Fla. He was 80.

Burdette had been ill for an extended period with lung cancer. Family members were with him when he died at home, they told the Atlanta Braves. A two-time all-star and a member of the Braves' Hall of Fame, Burdette was 203-144 with a 3.66 ERA from 1950 to '67. He also pitched a no-hitter.

Burdette's greatest success came in the 1957 Series when he went 3-0 with an 0.67 ERA while pitching three complete games against the New York Yankees. He capped his performance with a seven-hit shutout in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, finishing off a run of 24 straight scoreless innings. . . .

Right-hander Aaron Harang avoided arbitration by agreeing to a four-year, $36.5 million contract that made him the Cincinnati Reds' highest-paid pitcher. Last season, Harang, 28, had 16 wins and led the NL with 216 strikeouts and six complete games. . . .

Miguel Tejada had two hits and drove in a run and the Dominican Republic won the Caribbean Series, beating Mexico, 5-3, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The Dominicans (5-0) clinched the title when Puerto Rico (3-2) later lost to Venezuela, 3-1. The tournament ends today.

· PRO FOOTBALL: New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light was chosen for the Pro Bowl, replacing Jonathan Ogden of the Baltimore Ravens on the AFC team. . . .

The 21-year-old son of Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid was charged with drug and weapon offenses stemming from an incident in which he is accused of pointing a gun at another motorist.

Britt Reid was arraigned on nine counts including making terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance and a felony charge of carrying a firearm without a license. Reid did not speak to reporters as he left court in Norristown, Pa., with his attorney after posting bail.

Reid got into an argument with another motorist Jan. 30, pointing a handgun at the man and laughing before driving off, prosecutors said. The other driver managed to get the license plate number of Reid's black sport-utility vehicle and police traced it back to Reid's parents. . . .

Nevada's legal sports books won big on Super Bowl bets as gamblers made a near-record $93.1 million in wagers.

Figures released by the state Gaming Control Board showed the state's 176 licensed books won $12.9 million -- for a 13.9 percent winning percentage -- Sunday in the Indianapolis Colts' 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell, whose Bruins finished the season 7-6 but beat Southern California for the first time in eight years, has been given a one-year extension, putting him under contract through the 2011 season.

-- From News Services