FanFare 8/29/02

Baseball

Indians third baseman Travis Fryman, who has struggled most of the year following offseason shoulder surgery, announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season.

The Kansas City Royals optioned right-hander Ryan Bukvich to Triple-A Omaha after their 7-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

Colorado pitcher Kent Mercker was suspended for four games, and the New York Mets' David Weathers was suspended for three for throwing at batters Sunday at Coors Field. New York manager Bobby Valentine and Colorado's Clint Hurdle also were suspended for one game each.

Right-hander Brian Moehler, one of the Reds July trade acquisitions, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a weak shoulder.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Gary Sheffield is expected to miss a week with a sprained left thumb.

Texas reliever Hideki Irabu, who has been out since a series of small blood clots were found in his lungs July 15, was transferred from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list.

The Yankees scratched Andy Pettitte from his scheduled start on Friday with stiffness in his lower back and replaced him with Jeff Weaver.

Colleges

The Blue-Gray Classic, a Christmas Day tradition for 24 years, won't be played this year because organizers could not line up a corporate sponsor.

Football

The St. Louis Rams on released safety Rich Coady, whose three seasons with the team were marred by injuries. Coady, a third-round draft pick out of Texas A&M in 1999, played in 40 games and had four starts for the Rams.

Defensive tackle Ryan Sims, the sixth player selected in the NFL draft, agreed to a seven-year contract with the Chiefs.

The Patriots have extended the contract of quarterback Tom Brady, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory last season. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed. Brady's original contract was to expire after this season.

Golf

Ty Tryon, the youngest player ever to earn his PGA Tour card, finally has recovered from mononucleosis and plans to return to competition next week at the Utah Classic on the Buy.com Tour.

-- From wire reports