AUTO RACING
IRL Panther Racing: Merged with Team Menard to form a two-car team for the 2004 season. Named Tomas Scheckter driver.
BASEBALL
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit: Named Rick Sweet manager of Erie (EL). Named Pete Incaviglia coach and Mike Caldwell pitching coach.
Minnesota: Declined the 2004 contract option on INF Chris Gomez.
Toronto: Agreed to terms with OF Frank Catalanotto on a one-year contract.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Colorado: Mutually declined the 2004 contract option with INF Chris Stynes.
Florida: Agreed to terms with Jack McKeon, manager, on a one-year contract.
N.Y. Mets: Named Jim Duquette general manager.
BASKETBALL
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Cleveland: Exercised the 2004-05 contract option on C DeSagana Diop.
Detroit: Signed F Tremaine Fowlkes.
Houston: Signed F Scott Padgett.
L.A. Lakers: Fined G Kobe Bryant an undisclosed amount.
FOOTBALL
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Minnesota: Waived K Jose Cortez.
New Orleans: Suspended DT Grady Jackson for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Philadelphia: Placed DT Hollis Thomas on injured reserve. Signed DT Jim Flanigan.
San Francisco: Waived K Owen Pochman. Signed K Todd Peterson. Signed DB John Keith from the practice squad. Waived FB Jasen Isom from the practice squad.
NFL Europe: Folded the Barcelona Dragons. Named Jack Bicknell coach of the Scottish Claymores.
HOCKEY
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Colorado: Recalled C Charlie Stephens from Hershey (AHL).
Minnesota: Placed F Brent Burns on injured reserve.
St. Louis: Recalled F Johnny Pohl from Worcester (AHL).
Toronto: Re-signed D Karel Pilar and assigned him to St. John’s (AHL). Agreed to terms with F Clarke Wilm on a one-year contract and assigned him to St. John’s.
OLYMPICS
USA Hockey: Announced the resignation of Moe Mantha, U.S. National Developmental coach. Named Lou Vairo interim U.S. National Developmental coach.
COLLEGE
Penn State: Extended WR Tony Johnson’s suspension to include this week’s game. Dismissed OL Tom McHugh from the team.
ORAL COMMITMENT
Volleyball
Maryland: Katie Luhrsen, Wheaton Warrenville South.
