Columbus Crew hire Berhalter as coach

November 7, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

COLUMBUS

The Columbus Crew hired former U.S. men’s national team and Major League Soccer player Gregg Berhalter as their seventh head coach. The Englewood, N.J., native replaces interim coach Brian Bliss, who took over during the recently completed Crew season for the fired Robert Warzycha, who had led the team the past five years.

Berhalter became the first American to manage a European professional club when he was hired by Sweden’s Hammarby IF. His Hammarby teams went 18-11-16 in two seasons. He had an 18-year run as a player, including stays in the Netherlands, England and Germany and MLS.

Mundine says his fight with Mosley back on

SYDNEY

Australia’s Anthony Mundine says he’ll fight American Shane Mosley in a rescheduled WBA light-middleweight bout Nov. 27 in Sydney. The 42-year-old Mosley, who has held world titles at lightweight, welterweight and light-middleweight, was originally scheduled to fight Mundine, a former rugby league player, on Oct. 23.

Mosley walked out the day before the initial fight and flew back to the United States, citing a breach of contract by the bout’s former promoter for not paying the remainder of his guaranteed purse in advance. He also criticized the Australian boxing scene, accusing it of having underworld connections.

Mundine and his manager, Khoder Nasser, said Thursday the fight would go ahead after Mosley was guaranteed a $1 million up-front purse. Mundine says “this time it’s going to be done.”

Saban: Remains ’very committed to Alabama’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

Nick Saban says he remains “very committed to the University of Alabama” and disputed an account of his agent’s conversation with Texas early this year. The Crimson Tide coach was asked Wednesday about an Associated Press report regarding his agent’s conversation in January about possibly replacing Mack Brown at Texas.

Saban’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, indicated that the coach would consider leaving Tuscaloosa for the Texas job during a January phone call, according to an email sent by former Texas Regent Tom Hicks.

“Sexton confirmed that UT is the only job Nick would possibly consider leaving Alabama for, and that his success there created special pressure for him,” Hicks wrote of a call involving Sexton, himself and current Regent Wallace Hall. Asked about the account, Saban said: “No one’s said anything like that.”

Ortiz wins 6th Silver Slugger as top DH

NEW YORK

World Series MVP David Ortiz has won his sixth Silver Slugger award as the top designated hitter in voting by major league managers and coaches. Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Detroit third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer each were selected for the fifth time.

Silver Slugger awards are given to the top offensive player at each position in the American and National Leagues. They were handed out Wednesday night on the MLB Network.

Nine of the 18 recipients were first-time winners with major league home run and RBI leader Chris Davis of Baltimore taking home a bat-shaped trophy as the best AL first baseman. First-time selectee Pedro Alvarez (third base) was joined by Pirates teammate Andrew McCutchen. The star outfielder won his second prize.

AP: Renteria set to become Cubs manager

CHICAGO

The Chicago Cubs are set to hire San Diego Padres bench coach Rick Renteria as their manager, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the hiring has not been announced.

A former major league infielder, Renteria spent the past six years on the Padres’ staff and had been their bench coach since 2011.

Associated Press