Brewers tap Macha as new manager

Ken Macha was hired yesterday as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, taking over from Dale Sveum following the team's first postseason appearance since 1982. The 58-year-old Macha, who managed Oakland to a pair of AL West titles, agreed to a two-year contract. He replaces Sveum, who became interim manager when Ned Yost was fired with 12 games left in the regular season. Macha led Oakland to a 368-260 record. He was fired two days after the Athletics were swept by Detroit in the 2006 AL Championship Series, a result that frustrated players. Macha was an analyst for Red Sox games on NESN the last two years . . . Manny Ramírez, Mark Teixeira, and Ben Sheets were among 65 players who filed for free agency on the first day. Yesterday began a 15-day window in which approximately 180 players can become free agents . . . Ken Griffey Jr.'s $16.5 million option was declined by the White Sox, making the No. 5 home run hitter in major league history eligible for free agency . . . The Tigers declined the option on shortstop Edgar Renteria's contract, choosing to give him $3 million instead of $11 million to return . . . Fernando Tatis agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year deal with the Mets, opting to stay put after a solid comeback season . . . The Marlins traded power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs to the Royals for relief pitcher Leo Nunez.

The Lakers signed Andrew Bynum to a contract extension, removing the possibility the 21-year-old center would become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Los Angeles Times reported that the four-year deal will pay the center about $58 million . . . The Pistons and Jason Maxiell agreed on a $20 million, four-year contract extension, a basketball official told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity . . . A newly released police report indicates the person who called 911 about an overdose at Isiah Thomas's home Oct. 23 believed the victim had stopped breathing. The patient's name is redacted from the Town of Harrison (N.Y.) report. Former Knicks coach Thomas suggested to the New York Post that it was his teenage daughter who had been in distress.

The Senators re-signed their captain to a four-year contract. According to the Ottawa Sun, forward Daniel Alfredsson's deal is worth $22 million. The 35-year-old has spent his entire career with Ottawa . . . Thrashers defenseman Zach Bogosian will be out indefinitely with a broken leg.

Confirming a report by an Arizona radio station, a 49ers spokesman said San Francisco coach Mike Singletary dropped his pants in front of his team at halftime Sunday to dramatize how poorly the 49ers were performing in their loss to Seattle . . . Running back Steven Jackson practiced and was optimistic he'd be back in the Rams' lineup against Arizona after missing a game with a thigh injury . . . The makers of over-the-counter weight-loss product StarCaps suspended sales following accusations the product contains but does not list an ingredient banned by the NFL . . . Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick won't be allowed to plead guilty to dogfighting charges by videoconference Nov. 25. Vick's lawyers had requested that he be allowed to enter the plea from federal prison in Kansas, where he is serving a two-year term since admitting he bankrolled a dogfighting operation and helped execute dogs. But citing high public interest in the case, Surry County (Va.) Circuit Judge Samuel Campbell said it would be better for Vick to appear in person. If Vick is able to resolve state dogfighting and animal cruelty charges, he would be eligible to transfer to a halfway house for the final six months of his term, according to court papers.

Andy Roddick secured a spot in the Masters Cup when he beat Gilles Simon, 6-3, 7-5, at the Paris Masters. The American, sixth in the ATP race, cannot end the week lower than seventh. The top eight qualify for the season-ending tournament in Shanghai. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer also rolled into the Paris Masters quarterfinals. Federer will face James Blake, who ousted Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-4, 6-4 . . . As expected, David Beckham will join AC Milan on a three-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy to maintain his fitness and prolong his career with the English national team. The former England captain's stint in Serie A will begin Jan. 7, and he will rejoin his LA teammates in March . . . Brookline's James Driscoll shot an even-par 68 and is three shots back of first-round leaders Michael Letzig and Kent Jones at the Ginn sur Mer Classic in Palm Coast, Fla. . . . Nick Price made a 25-foot putt on the 18th hole to pull even with David Eger at 6-under 66 atop the leaderboard in the opening round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Sonoma, Calif. . . . Formula One title favorite Lewis Hamilton has been the target of racist messages at a website aimed at promoting his failure in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.