Former announcer Hundley dies

Former announcer Hundley dies

PHOENIX

Hot Rod Hundley, the former NBA player who broadcast Jazz games in New Orleans and Utah for 35 years, died Friday. He was 80.

The Jazz said Hundley died at his home in the Phoenix area.

Hundley broadcast 3,051 Jazz games from 1974-2009. He joined the franchise before its first season in New Orleans in 1974-75 and moved with the team to Salt Lake City in 1979-80.

Hundley starred at West Virginia, averaging 24.5 points in three varsity seasons. He was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Royals in 1957 and was immediately traded to the Minneapolis Lakers.

He averaged 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in six seasons with the Lakers in Minneapolis and Los Angeles, playing in the 1960 and 1961 All-Star games.

YMUA to hold meeting and social

Austintown

The Youngstown Metro Umpire Association will hold its final OHSAAA baseball/softball meeting Monday starting at 6:15 p.m. It will be followed by the social at 7. Both will be at Lucianno’s Banquet Center in Austintown.

Umpires are reminded that they must attend four meetings to meet state requirements. Call John Mang at 330-502-6665 for more information.

Manfred says decision on Bryant not Boras

FORT MYERS, Fla.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says agent Scott Boras should steer clear of the Chicago Cubs’ plan on how to handle rookie Kris Bryant.

Manfred spoke Friday at the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins.

“I don’t think the Cubs’ decision with respect to what’s going to happen with Kris Bryant is really any of Mr. Boras’ business,” Manfred said.

The 23-year-old Bryant has hit nine home runs this spring, most in the majors. He led the minor leagues with 43 homers last season.

The Cubs seem to be leaning toward starting the third baseman in the minors. If Bryant begins in the minors, the Cubs could gain an extra year until he’s eligible for free agency.

Boras brought up the “integrity” of baseball in lobbying for Bryant to begin the season in the majors.

Johnson replacing Manning on committee

Archie Manning is leaving the College Football Playoff selection committee and will be replaced by former Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson.

In a statement Friday, Manning says other commitments and time demands made it too difficult for him to serve on the committee. Manning was one of the original 13 members of the committee picked by the FBS conference commissioners who run the playoff.

The former Mississippi quarterback took a leave of absence during last season to deal with undisclosed health issues. CFP executive director Bill Hancock had said earlier this year Manning was expected to return for the 2015 season. Johnson played at Clemson and was a head coach at Furman (1994-2001) and Vanderbilt (2002-2010). He says he is happy to “serve the game” as a member of the committee.

Bellis advances at Miami Open

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.

Precocious amateur CiCi Bellis says she’s ready to take on the best of the pros — Serena Williams.

Bellis, a 15-year-old American who made a big splash at last year’s U.S. Open, advanced Friday to a potential third-round match against Williams by beating Zarina Diyas 6-2, 6-1. Williams match was postponed on Friday.

Others advancing in the women’s draw included No. 3-seeded Simona Halep, the titlist last week at Indian Wells. She won 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 against wild card Nicole Vaidisova.

Men’s winners included No. 8 Tomas Berdych and No. 25 Bernard Tomic.

Staff/wire reports