TODD HELTON SENTENCED FOR DUI
DENVER (AP) – Rockies first baseman Todd Helton has been sentenced to a year of probation and 24 hours of community service after pleading guilty to driving while ability-impaired. Helton entered his plea today in an Adams County courtroom in Brighton.
Helton was arrested Feb. 6 in Thornton, another suburb. Police said he told officers he had had two cups of wine. He issued a public apology later that day and again two weeks later when Spring Training opened. Helton is a career .320 hitter, a five-time All-Star and a three-time winner of the Gold Glove. He has spent his entire career with the Rockies and is one of the most popular and recognizable players on the team. Helton’s hitting .267 this season.
FORMER ROCKIES INFIELDER RETURNS TO COORS WITH THE YANKEES
DENVER (AP) – New York Yankees infielder Chris Nelson is looking forward to his return to the Mile High City this week for a three-game series against the his former team, the Colorado Rockies. He was a member of the Rockies until nine days ago, when he was designated for assignment to make room for prized prospect Nolan Arenado. Nelson was then traded to the Yankees for a player to be named or cash.
Asked what he misses about Colorado, Nelson said, “My teammates. Great fans. The mountain view is beautiful. Just a nice place.” Nelson is 0-for-7 to start his Yankees career. But Coors Field could be as good of place as any to break out of his mini-slump, considering he’s a lifetime .316 hitter at this park.
CU’S COACH “MAC” VOTED INTO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL H-O-F
New York/Boulder—The popular football coach who led the Colorado Buffaloes to their only national championship is going to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame. Bill McCartney will be inducted in December along with former Navy head coach Wayne Hardin. In addition to the two legendary coaches, several players will be entering the Hall of Fame including Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde of Miami, Danny Wuerfel of Florida and Tommie Frazier of Nebraska.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS….
UNDATED (AP) – The second games in two of the NBA conference semifinals are being played tonight in New York and Oklahoma City. The Knicks are hosting the Pacers, after losing the opening game of their series, while the Thunder are playing host to Memphis after winning the first game of that series.
MIAMI (AP) – The Chicago Bulls pulled off a big upset last night as they beat the Heat in Miami in the opening game of their best-of-seven NBA playoff series. The Bulls closed the game with a 10-0 run to beat the Heat 93-86.
SAN JOSE (AP) – San Jose can advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a win tonight. The Sharks top the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 in their best-of-seven series with Game 4 this evening in San Jose.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – The Buffalo Sabres have a not-so-new coach. Ron Rolston, who replaced Lindy Ruff as interim coach in February, was given the job on a full-time basis today. He led the Sabres to a record of 15-11-5 after replacing Ruff.
WASHINGTON (AP) – The two teams picked by many to be in the World Series this year are squaring off tonight in Washington. The Nationals are playing host to the Tigers and are sending 5-1 Jordan Zimmermann to the mound against Anibal (AH’-nih-bahl) Sanchez, who is 3-2.
