HOCKEY
Family to donate Boogaard’s brain for trauma research
BOSTON - Derek Boogaard’s family has donated his brain to researchers who will check for damage that might have resulted from his career as an NHL enforcer.
A spokeswoman for the Boston University School of Medicine confirmed Sunday that Boogaard’s family made the donation.
Researchers at the medical school have set up a brain bank to check athletes for chronic traumatic encephalopathy caused by repeated concussions.
There is no evidence yet that concussions might have contributed to Boogaard’s death. But the family is asking the Sports Legacy Institute at BU to look into it.
The donation was first reported by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. Boogaard, 28, a forward with the New York Rangers, was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment Friday.
TENNIS
Roddick withdraws from doubles match with injury
ROME - Andy Roddick has pulled out of the doubles final at the Italian Open because of a right shoulder injury, with the French Open just a week away.
Roddick was scheduled to team up with fellow American Mardy Fish, and his withdrawal handed the title to another pair of Americans, John Isner and Sam Querrey.
The ATP says Roddick has not withdrawn from the tournament set to start in Nice, France, on Monday. He has a first-round bye in singles and could play his opener as late as Wednesday.
RUNNING
Wind, rain doesn’t stop Gebrselassie in Manchester
MANCHESTER, England - World men’s marathon record holder Haile Gebrselassie completed a fourth victory in the Great Manchester Run over 10 kilometers Sunday while Briton Helen Clitheroe won the women’s event.
The 38-year-old Ethiopian clocked 28 minutes 10 seconds on the loop course in cool, windy conditions with light rain in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.
“I like this race and its atmosphere. I would have liked to run faster but the wind was really uncomfortable,” said Gebrselassie, who added that his focus now is on a fast marathon later in the year in order to get a qualifying time for next year’s London Olympics.
BASEBALL
Yankees’ Posada apologizes for taking himself out of lineup
NEW YORK - Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Jorge Posada has apologized to him in a face-to-face conversation, one day after the slumping star asked to be removed from the lineup and ended up in a messy public spat with management.
Posada was not in the lineup Sunday night against Boston left-hander Jon Lester, but the five-time All-Star was smiling in the Yankee Stadium clubhouse and appeared generally relaxed.
Posada says he had a bad day Saturday and his frustration boiled over. Girardi might have been planning to put Posada on the bench Sunday regardless of the strange saga that’s played out. The 39-year-old switch-hitter is 0 for 24 against left-handed pitchers this season.
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