Sports briefs 3/19/04

Baseball

Bob Wickman will spend the first half of the season on the disabled list instead of in the bullpen. The Cleveland Indians closer has a sprained right elbow and will need four weeks of rest before beginning a six-week throwing program, trainer Lonnie Soloff said Thursday.

The Oakland Athletics finally kept one of their young stars, signing third baseman Eric Chavez to a six-year contract extension worth $66 million -- the biggest contract in franchise history. Chavez, a three-time Gold Glove winner and the AL's top power-hitting third baseman last season, would have been eligible for free agency after the season. But instead of allowing Chavez to leave as MVPs Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada did, Oakland spent the cash necessary to retain some of its impressive array of young talent. The deal includes a $12.5 million club option for 2011 with a $3 million buyout. Chavez will make $5.2 million this year.

College

Auburn coach Cliff Ellis was firedafter 10 up-and-down seasons with the Tigers, who were shut out of postseason play for the second time in three years. Ellis is the second-winningest coach in Auburn basketball history. He was with his team longer than any other current coach in the Southeastern Conference. Ellis had five years remaining on his contract after it was automatically extended by two years for last season's tournament run. His dismissal follows a year in which Auburn failed to make the postseason after advancing to the NCAA tournament's round of 16. The Tigers fell to 14-14 and 5-11 in the league after being picked to finish second in the SEC Western Division.

Defending champion Oklahoma State took the first step toward a possible repeat in the NCAA wrestling tournament Thursday night, grabbing the first-day lead and advancing seven wrestlers to the quarterfinals. Oklahoma State, seeking its 32nd national title, has 30 points. Illinois, which has never won the championship, was two points back in second. Nebraska was third with 25 points and Iowa and Minnesota were tied for fourth with 23 1/2.

Football

The Dallas Cowboys finally acquired Keyshawn Johnson, reaching agreement on a deal that will send Joey Galloway to Tampa Bay. On the same day the NFL told the team it would approve their eight-year contract with quarterback Drew Henson, owner Jerry Jones said Dallas has a handshake deal to send receiver Galloway to Tampa Bay for Johnson.

-- From wire reports