Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge in Sussex, Va., a move that cleared up the last charge pending against him and could make him eligible to leave prison early and potentially speed up a return to pro football.
The one-time Atlanta Falcons star, 28, also pleaded not guilty to a count of cruelty to animals, but that charge was dropped under his plea deal. He received a three-year suspended sentence - far less than the maximum of 10 years he could have faced. "I want to apologize to the court, my family, and to all the kids who looked up to me as a role model," Vick told the judge.
-The 80 points scored by New Orleans and Green Bay in the Saints' 51-29 win Monday night put the NFL over 800 points in a weekend for the first time. The total of 837 points broke the previous mark of 788 that was done three times.
-The Houston Texans placed running back Ahman Green on season-ending injured reserve after he hurt his left knee against the Cleveland Browns.
\ Baseball
Marlins' BALLPARK SET BACK
The Florida Marlins' new ballpark won't open until the 2012 season, a one-year delay because a recent court challenge slowed the start of construction.
Last Friday, a Miami-Dade circuit judge eliminated the final legal obstacle - a lawsuit filed by auto dealer Norman Braman against several projects, including the 37,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium.
The Marlins, however, have yet to break ground at the site.
The team still expects to meet the targeted cost of $515 million for the ballpark.
-Phillies second baseman Chase Utley had arthroscopic surgery to trim the labrum and a bony lesion in his right hip and is expected to need four to six months to recover.
-The Boston Red Sox have expressed an interest in bringing back captain Jason Varitek but have not made a contract offer, the catcher's agent said. Varitek filed for free agency after 11 years with the Red Sox in which he grew particularly valuable for his defense and handling of the pitching staff.
\ GOLF
SECURITY ALERT ON JAPAN TOUR
Japanese police are increasing security for the Casio World Open after a caller warned that mines had been buried at the venue and small explosions shattered windows at the clubhouse and building of a corporate sponsor.
Police said they will deploy around 160 officers at the Kuroshio Country Club in Kochi, where the four-day Japan Golf Tour event will kick off Thursday.
They also will guard hotels where players will stay for the tournament about 390 miles southwest of Tokyo.
-The PGA Tour revamped its FedEx Cup race for the third straight year of its existence, this one geared at making sure that the winner of the $10 million prize is decided at the Tour Championship.
Points that previously had been reset at the start of the four-tournament playoffs will not be changed until the Tour Championship, meaning the top performers should have the best chance to win the FedEx Cup, but all 30 who qualify for the final event will have a mathematical chance to win.
\ ETC.
SHARAPOVA EYES JANUARY RETURN
Maria Sharapova expects to be back on the tennis tour at the start of 2009 and defend her Australian Open title after being sidelined since July because of an injured right shoulder.
Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, said she is "on track" to return to action at the Jan. 7-10 exhibition in Hong Kong that she usually enters.
The three-time Grand Slam title winner then plans to head to the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 19 in Melbourne.
-Northwestern Oklahoma State will not play its scheduled NAIA quarterfinal football game at defending champion Carroll College on Saturday after discovering that three players had dropped classes during the fall semester and were academically ineligible. Carroll gets a free pass to the semifinals.
-Spanish cyclist Manuel Beltran was banned from competing in France for two years after he failed a doping test at the Tour de France. The ban takes effect immediately.
-FIFA suspended Peru from international soccer because the government is feuding with the national federation and gave the sides one month to settle their differences.
\ NORTHWEST
WRIGHT HURTS HAND, FIGHT OFF
Winky Wright's comeback from a 16-month layoff has been postponed after the former undisputed 154-pound boxing champ injured his left hand in training.
Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs) was scheduled to fight Michi Munoz in Snoqualmie on Dec. 4 in a 164-pound bout.
-Two teams from the Amy Yee Tennis Center in Seattle won the 7.0 and 8.0 Adult Western Mixed Doubles titles last weekend at the USTA League nationals in Gold River and Folsom, Calif.
