Sports Log
Baseball
The Cardinals are targeting Athletics outfielder Matt Holliday as a way to shore up their struggling offense, ESPN The Magazine reported yesterday. The Cardinals are willing to consider adding top prospect Brett Wallace to get the deal done, said a person familiar with the talks. Holliday, who is eligible for free agency after this season, is hitting .287 with 11 homers and 54 RBIs . . . Astros slugger Lance Berkman was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left calf. Berkman missed five starts with the injury, but the Astros had hoped he could avoid a stint on the DL . . . Chien-Ming Wang received a second opinion on his injured pitching shoulder, and it remains uncertain when the Yankees righthander might return. Wang, who went on the 15-day disabled list July 5, was examined Wednesday by Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek. Next, he will confer with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Alabama . . . Phillies relievers J.C. Romero (left forearm) and Chad Durbin (back) were placed on the 15-day DL . . . Nationals lefthander Scott Olsen underwent surgery to repair a small labrum tear in his left shoulder and will be out 6-8 weeks . . . Royals outfielder Jose Guillen is headed to the 15-day DL after spraining his right knee while putting on his shin guard against the Angels Wednesday night . . . Zach Cox drove in two runs and was named the West’s MVP in a rain-shortened 3-0 victory over the East as the Cape Cod League All-Star game returned to Fenway Park for the first time in 22 years.Pro basketball
James admits fame went to his head
LeBron James struggled with sudden fame after appearing on Sports Illustrated’s cover as a 17-year-old and admits he smoked marijuana during his junior year in high school. Those are two of the revelations in a book chronicling James’s rise from Akron, Ohio, hoops prodigy to NBA superstar . . . Christian Eyenga, a raw shooting guard drafted in the first round by the Cavaliers, will stay with his Spanish club rather than play in the NBA next season . . . In WNBA play, Sophia Young scored 22 of her 24 points in the first half, and the Silver Stars got past the Indiana Fever, 84-65, in San Antonio . . . Nicole Powell scored a career-high 32 points to lead Sacramento to an 88-73 win over the host New York Liberty, snapping the Monarchs’ six-game losing streak . . . Crystal Langhorne had 16 points and 10 rebounds as the host Washington Mystics topped the Chicago Sky, 75-64.Swimming
FINA rule change targets swimsuits
A proposal from USA Swimming to rein in swimsuit technology was approved by FINA’s technical congress, and the long-term effect could help end a situation that has divided the sport. The new rule states: “No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device OR SWIMSUIT that may aid his speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition.’’ FINA has come under criticism for its failure to regulate the rapid advances in swimsuit technology that has led to 108 world records last year and nearly 30 so far this year . . . At the World Swimming Championships in Rome, Natalia Ischenko gave Russia another gold in synchronized swimming, edging Spain’s Gemma Mengual. Russia has won four of five events at the synchro pool.Soccer
Defiant Beckham not kicking himself
David Beckham offered no explanations or apologies for the way he confronted an angry group of Los Angeles Galaxy fans over the weekend. “It’s not a setback for myself. It’s other people that have to change,’’ Beckham said. “It’s not about whether I can move on. I wasn’t the one booing.’’ Members of the LA Riot Squad fan section booed and jeered him during an exhibition Sunday and displayed banners saying, “Go Home Fraud.’’Miscellany
Hawks’ Hossa needs shoulder surgery
The Blackhawks said recently signed right wing Marian Hossa will undergo surgery on his right shoulder to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff and probably won’t be ready for the opener Oct. 2 . . . The Hurricanes locked up Tuomo Ruutu for three seasons, avoiding arbitration with the physical forward by signing him to a deal worth $11.4 million . . . The University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team has been placed on two years’ probation by the NCAA for recruiting violations . . . Joe Walters scored a power-play goal 2:57 into overtime, capping the host Toronto Nationals’ 18-17 comeback win over the Boston Cannons, preventing the Cannons (6-5) from clinching a playoff berth. The win allowed Toronto (6-5) to secure a postseason berth. Paul Rabil led the Cannons with five goals, including a pair of 2-pointers . . . 2004 Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi will join defending champions Tadese Tola and Edith Masai in the Falmouth Road Race Aug. 9.
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