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2B
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Denton Record-Chronicle
Inside Sports
2:00
Minute Drill
Pro football
Former Vikings safety dies of ALS
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — As ALS began to de-
stroy his body, Orlando Thomas lost his ability to
move.
Then he could no longer speak. His wife, Demetra,
guided him through every painstaking word.
“She’d have to go through the entire alphabet, and
he’d blink his eye. The only muscle that worked was
his eyelids, so he would blink at the letter,” said Mark
Bartelstein, the former agent for the free safety who
led the NFL in interceptions as a
rookie for the Minnesota Vikings in
1995.
Thomas died Sunday at 42 in his
hometown of Crowley, Louisiana,
after fighting the fatal amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis, the neurodegener-
ative disease commonly known as
Lou Gehrig’s disease, for more than
10 years.
The Vikings issued a statement expressing their
sadness and condolences to his family. “He re-
presented the franchise and the state of Minnesota
with the utmost dignity and class,” the team said.
Texans back to work after break
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans returned to
work after their bye refreshed and eager to see if quar-
terback Ryan Mallett can help turn around the of-
fense in his first NFL start on Sunday at Cleveland.
Coach Bill O’Brien benched Ryan Fitzpatrick in
favor of Mallett before the break in an attempt to im-
prove Houston’s struggling offense. O’Brien, who first
coached him when he was an assistant with the
Patriots in 2011, can’t wait to see the fourth-year play-
er get a chance to start.
“I’m excited,” O’Brien said. “This is his opportunity
to go out there and lead this team, and he’s excited...
and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
College football
Wickline wants suit dismissed or moved
AUSTIN — The Texas assistant football coach be-
ing sued by Oklahoma State says he can’t get a fair
trial in Stillwater and the case should be heard in Aus-
tin, home of the Longhorns.
Joe Wickline last week asked an Oklahoma court
to dismiss Oklahoma State’s breach-of-contract law-
suit. And if it goes to trial, Wickline says Oklahoma
State is too powerful for him to get a fair trial in Okla-
homa state court.
Wickline says Travis County, where he now works
for the Longhorns, is a “more just and proper” venue.
Or he suggests an Oklahoma-based federal court.
College soccer
UConn player suspended for gesture
STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut
has suspended a woman’s soccer player who made an
obscene gesture to a television camera following the
Huskies’ win in Sunday’s American Athletic Confer-
ence championship game.
Freshman Noriana Radwan showed her middle
finger to an ESPNU camera while celebrating with
teammates after the Huskies beat South Florida 3-2
on penalty kicks.
Coach Len Tsantiris issued a statement apologiz-
ing to the conference, USF and those who watched
the game on television. He says the gesture showed
“poor judgment and sportsmanship.”
Pro tennis
Djokovic opens in style at Finals
LONDON — Two-time defending champion No-
vak Djokovic extended his indoor winning streak
with an impressive 6-1,6-1 win over Marin Cilic Mon-
day in his opening round-robin match at the ATP
World Tour Finals, after Stan Wawrinka put his re-
cent struggles behind him with an equally comfort-
able victory.
Djokovic moved two wins away from sealing the
year-end No. 1 spot, and improved his record against
the U.S. Open champion to 11-0 with a dominant dis-
play that lasted only 56 minutes.
The 02 Arena crowd was treated to several stun-
ning rallies in the opening stages, with Djokovic com-
ing out on top on every important point. The top-
ranked Serb has now won his last 28 matches in-
doors, a streak going back more than two years.
The top-ranked Serb will next take on Wawrinka,
who made the most of Tomas Berdych’s error-laced
performance in a 6-1, 6-1 win earlier Monday.
Nadal to receive stem cell treatment
BARCELONA, Spain — Rafael Nadal’s doctor
says the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem
cell treatment on his ailing back.
Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told The Associated Press by
phone on Monday that “we are going to put cells in a
joint in his spine” next week in Barcelona. The Span-
ish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the
season after having his appendix removed last week.
Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Na-
dal for the past 14 years, said Nadal’s back pain is “typ-
ical of tennis” players and that the treatment is meant
to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell
treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.
— The Associated Press
Thomas
Scoreboard
ON THE AIR
Today s TV
PRO BASKETBALL
NBA: Orlando at Toronto, 6:30 p.m., NBATV
NBA:Sacramento at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m., FSSW
NBA:San Antonio at Golden State, 9:30 p.m., NBATV
PRO BASEBALL
MLB Japan All-Star Series: MLB All-Stars vs. Japan All-Stars, 3
a.m., MLB
MLB Japan All-Star Series: MLB All-Stars vs. Japan All-Stars, 3
a.m. Wednesday, MLB
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Toledo at Northern Illinois, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Akron at Buffalo, 7 p.m., ESPNU
PRO HOCKEY
NHL: Buffalo at St. Louis, 7 p.m., NBCSP
NHL: Stars at Arizona, 8 p.m., FSSW+
Radio
PRO BASKETBALL
NBA: Sacramento at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. p.m., KESN-FM 103.3,
KZMP-AM 1540 (Spanish)
PRO HOCKEY
NHL: Stars at Phoenix, 7:30 p.m. p.m., KTCK-AM1310, KTCK-FM
96.7
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL
Mesquite Horn vs. Little Elm, 6:30 p.m. p.m., KEOM-FM 88.5
TRANSACTIONS
BASEBALL
AMERICAN LEAGUE
DETROIT TIGERS — Named David Newhan
assistant hitting coach.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ATLANTA BRAVES—Agreed to terms with OF
Zoilo Almonte on a one-year contract and RHP
Chien-Ming Wang and LHP Donnie Veal on mi-
nor league contracts.
CINCINNATI REDS — Named Jim Riggleman
third base coach.
NEW YORK METS - Agreed to terms with OF
Michael Cuddyer on a two-year contract.
SAN DIEGO PADRES —Named Mark Conner
director of scouting.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS - Agreed to
terms with INF Emmanuel Burriss and RHP
Manny Delcarmen on minor league contracts.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
AMARILLO SOX - Signed RHP Kellen Moen.
FRONTIER LEAGUE
NORMAL CORNBELTERS - Signed 2B San-
tiago Chirino, RHP Ethan Elias, Cs Dylan Kelly
and Tyler Shover and OF Jhiomar Veras to con-
tract extensions.
RIVER CITY RASCALS - Signed RHP Trey
Lambert to a contract extension. Signed RHP
Pat Doyle.
BASKETBALL
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - Recalled G Jordan
Adams and F/C Jarnell Stokes from Iowa
(NBADL).
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - Signed C Drew
Gordon from Delaware (NBADL).
HOCKEY
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
NHL — Fined Dallas F Antoine Roussel
$5,376.34 for punching an unsuspecting oppo-
nent during Saturday's game.
CAROLINA HURRICANES - Recalled D Mi-
chal Jordan from Charlotte (AHL).
DETROIT RED WINGS - Recalled G Tom
McCollum from Grand Rapids (AHL). Assigned
G Petr Mrazek to Grand Rapids. Reassigned G
Jared Coreau from Toledo (ECHL) to Grand
Rapids.
MONTREAL CANADIENS - Assigned F
Rene Bourque to Hamilton (AHL). Recalled F
Drayson Bowman from Hamilton.
NEW YORK RANGERS - Recalled F Jesper
Fast from Hartford (AHL). Assigned D Conor
Allen and F Ryan Malone to Hartford.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS - Assigned Fs
Sam Carrick and Josh Leivo and D Stuart Per-
cy to Toronto (AHL).
AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
AHL — Suspended Charlotte LW Carter San-
dlak four games for receiving a match penalty
in a Nov. 8 game vs. Texas. Suspended Grand
Rapids D Brennan Evans four games for a
kneeing incident in a Nov. 7 game at Milwau-
CHARLOTTE CHECKERS - Signed LW Kyle
Jean to a professional tryout contract.
HERSHEY BEARS - Recalled D Michal Caj-
kovsky from South Carolina (ECHL).
TEXAS STARS — Recalled D Mike Dalhuisen
and Fs Jesse Root and Branden Troock from
Idaho (ECHL).
OLYMPIC SPORTS
USA LUGE — Elected Dr. Gerry Tate presi-
dent.
SOCCER
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
ORLANDO CITY SC - Named Mark Watson
assistant coach.
COLLEGE
NCAA — Granted a sixth year of eligibility to
Duke LB Kelby Brown and TE Braxton Deaver.
ST. NORBERT — Announced the resignation
of women's volleyball coach Bethani Thibo-
deau.
UCONN — Suspended women's soccer player
Noriana Radwan indefinitely.
BASKETBALL
NBA
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
W L Pet GB
Toronto 6 1 .857 —
Brooklyn 4 2 .667 VA
Boston
3
3
.500
New York
2
6
.250
414
Philadelphia
0
7
.000
6
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
W
L
PctGB
Miami
5
2
.714
—
Washington
5
2
.714
—
Atlanta
3
3
.500
VA
Charlotte
3
4
.429
2
Orlando
2
5
.286
3
CENTRAL DIVISION
W
L
PctGB
Chicago
6
2
.750
—
Cleveland
3
3
.500
2
Milwaukee
3
4
.429
2'A
Detroit
2
5
.286
31/2
Indiana
2
6
.250
4
WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
W
L
PctGB
Memphis
6
1
.857
—
Houston
6
1
.857
—
Dallas
4
3
.571
2
New Orleans
3
3
.500
21/2
San Antonio
2
3
.400
3
NORTHWEST DIVISION
W
L
PctGB
Portland
4
3
.571
—
Utah
3
5
.375
11/2
Minnesota
2
4
.333
11/2
Oklahoma City
2
5
.286
2
Denver
1
5
.167
21/2
PACIFIC DIVISION
W
L
PctGB
Golden State
5
1
.833
—
Sacramento
5
2
.714
S
L.A. Clippers
4
2
.667
1
Phoenix
4
3
.571
11/2
L.A. Lakers
1
5
.167
4
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Brooklyn 104, Orlando 96
Utah 97, Detroit 96
Oklahoma City 101, Sacramento 93
Toronto 120, Philadelphia 88
Miami 105, Dallas 96
Phoenix 107, Golden State 95
Portland 116, Denver 100
L.A. Lakers 107, Charlotte 92
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Indiana 97, Utah 86
Cleveland 118, New Orleans 111
Atlanta 91, New York 85
Chicago 102, Detroit 91
San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
TODAY’S GAMES
Orlando at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Memphis, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.
Sacramento at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte at Portland, 9 p.m.
San Antonio at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Detroit at Washington, 6 p.m.
Utah at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.
Indiana at Miami, 6:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Boston, 6:30 p.m.
Orlando at New York, 6:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at New Orleans, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn at Phoenix, 8 p.m.
Portland at Denver, 8 p.m.
Houston vs. Minnesota at Mexico City, Mexico,
9 p.m.
FOOTBALL
NFL Glance
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
EAST
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
New England
7
2
0
.778
281
198
Buffalo
5
4
0
.556
191
182
Miami
5
4
0
.556
227
171
N.Y. Jets
2 8
SOUTH
0
I
.200
174
265
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
Indianapolis
6
3
0
.667
290
211
Houston
4
5
0
.444
206
197
Tennessee
2
7
0
.222
144
223
Jacksonville
1 9 0
NORTH
.100
158
282
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
Cleveland
6
3
0
.667
209
172
Cincinnati
5
3
1
.611
197
211
Pittsburgh
6
4
0
.600
261
239
Baltimore
6
4
0
.600
261
181
WEST
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
Denver
7
2
0
.778
286
202
Kansas City
6
3
0
.667
217
151
San Diego
5
4
0
.556
205
186
Oakland
0
9
0
.000
146
252
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
EAST
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
Philadelphia
7
2
0
.778
279
198
Dallas
7
3
0
.700
261
212
N.Y. Giants
3
6
0
.333
195
247
Washington
3
6
0
.333
197
229
SOUTH
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
New Orleans
4
5
0
.444
251
225
Carolina
3
6
1
.350
198
281
Atlanta
3
6
0
.333
219
238
Tampa Bay
1
8
0
.111
167
272
NORTH
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
Detroit
7
2
0
.778
182
142
Green Bay
6
3
0
.667
277
205
Minnesota
4
5
0
.444
168
199
Chicago
3
6
0
.333
194
277
WEST
W
L
T
Pet
PF
PA
Arizona
8
1
0
.889
223
170
Seattle
6
3
0
.667
240
191
San Francisco
5
4
0
.556
195
202
St. Louis
3
6
0
.333
163
251
THURSDAY’S RESULT
Cleveland 24, Cincinnati 3
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
San Francisco 27, New Orleans 24, OT
Kansas City 17, Buffalo 13
Detroit 20, Miami 16
Baltimore 21, Tennessee 7
N.Y. Jets 20, Pittsburgh 13
Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 17
Dallas 31, Jacksonville 17
Denver 41, Oakland 17
Seattle 38, N.Y. Giants 17
Arizona 31, St. Louis 14
Green Bay 55, Chicago 14
Open: Houston, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New
England, San Diego, Washington
MONDAY’S RESULT
Philadelphia 45, Carolina 21
THURSDAY’S GAME
Buffalo at Miami, 7:25 p.m.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Minnesota at Chicago, noon
Seattle at Kansas City, noon
Cincinnati at New Orleans, noon
Denver at St. Louis, noon
Houston at Cleveland, noon
Atlanta at Carolina, noon
Tampa Bay at Washington, noon
San Francisco at N.Y. Giants, noon
Oakland at San Diego, 3:05 p.m.
Detroit at Arizona, 3:25 p.m.
Philadelphia at Green Bay, 3:25 p.m.
New England at Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m.
Open: Baltimore, Dallas, Jacksonville, N.Y. Jets
MONDAY’S GAME
Pittsburgh at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.
23. Aric Almirola, 23
24. Justin Allgaier, 16
25. Ryan Blaney, 15
25. Danica Patrick, 15
27. David Ragan, 14
27. David Gilliland, 14
29. Landon Cassill, 12
30. Austin Dillon, 10
31. Trevor Bayne, 8
32. Reed Sorenson, 7
33. Michael Annett, 5
34. Michael Waltrip, 4
34. Casey Mears, 4
36. Travis Kvapil, 2
37. Cole Whitt, 1
37. David Reutimann, 1
37. Michael McDowell, 1
37. Martin Truex Jr., 1
37. Joe Nemechek, 1
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
GP W LOT Pts GF GA
Tampa Bay 15 11 3 1 23 58 41
Montreal 15 10 4 1 21 37 42
Boston 16 10 6 0 20 47 37
Detroit 15 7 3 5 19 40 37
Toronto 15 8 5 2 18 47 42
Ottawa 14 7 4 3 17 38 34
Florida 12 4 4 4 12 20 30
Buffalo 16 3 11 2 8 20 54
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
GP W LOT Pts GF GA
Pittsburgh 13 10 2 1 21 55 27
N.Y. Islanders 14 9 5 0 18 42 42
Philadelphia 14 7 5 2 16 45 43
Washington 14 6 5 3 15 45 42
N.Y. Rangers 14 6 6 2 14 39 46
New Jersey 15 6 7 2 14 40 49
Carolina 14 5 6 3 13 35 44
Columbus 14 4 9 1 9 36 51
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
GP W LOT Pts GF GA
Nashville 14 9 3 2 20 35 28
St. Louis 14 9 4 1 19 35 28
Winnipeg 15 8 5 2 18 30 32
Chicago 15 8 6 1 17 41 28
Minnesota 13 7 6 0 14 37 29
Colorado 16 4 7 5 13 40 50
Dallas 14 4 6 4 12 40 50
PACIFIC DIVISION
GP W LOT Pts GF GA
Anaheim 16 10 3 3 23 41 32
Vancouver 16 11 5 0 22 49 44
Calgary 17 9 6 2 20 50 45
Los Angeles 15 8 4 3 19 37 30
San Jose 16 8 6 2 18 50 46
Arizona 14 6 7 1 13 34 47
Edmonton 15 6 8 1 13 38 51
NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for over-
time loss.
MOTOR SPORTS
NASCAR SPRINT CUP LAPS LED LEAD-
ERS
THROUGH NOV. 9
1. Kevin Harvick, 2,083
2. Brad Keselowski, 1,540
3. Jimmie Johnson, 1,310
4. Joey Logano, 993
5. Jeff Gordon, 922
6. Matt Kenseth, 529
7. Kyle Busch, 453
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 383
9. Jamie McMurray, 368
10. Denny Hamlin, 313
11. Kurt Busch, 219
12. Kasey Kahne, 218
13. Carl Edwards, 135
14. Tony Stewart, 125
15. Greg Biffle, 110
16. Clint Bowyer, 109
17. AJ Allmendinger, 68
18. Brian Vickers, 53
18. Kyle Larson, 53
20. Marcos Ambrose, 50
21. Paul Menard, 45
22. Ryan Newman, 41
SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Tampa Bay 4, Detroit 3, SO
Vancouver 2, Anaheim 1, SO
Edmonton 3, N.Y. Rangers 1
Toronto 5, Ottawa 3
Chicago 5, San Jose 2
MONDAY’S RESULTS
Boston 4, New Jersey 2
Carolina 4, Calgary 1
TODAY’S GAMES
Minnesota at New Jersey, 6 p.m.
Colorado at N.Y. Islanders, 6 p.m.
Pittsburgh at N.Y. Rangers, 6 p.m.
Columbus at Washington, 6 p.m.
Winnipeg at Montreal, 6:30 p.m.
San Jose at Florida, 6:30 p.m.
Buffalo at St. Louis, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Nashville, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Dallas at Arizona, 8 p.m.
Ottawa at Vancouver, 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Boston at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m.
UPCOMING LOCAL SCHEDULE
TODAY
HIGH SCHOOL
VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Class 6A: Guyer vs. Southlake Carroll, 7
p.m., Lewisville
Class 5A: Lake Dallas vs. Aledo, 7 p.m.,
Northwest
Class 4A: Argyle vs. Aubrey, 7:30 p.m.,
TWU
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ryan at McKinney, 6 p.m.
Ponder at Sanger, 6:15 p.m.
Southlake Carroll at Argyle, 6:30 p.m.
Aubrey at Whitesboro, 6:30 p.m.
Pilot Point at Tom Bean, 6:30 p.m.
Krum at Lovejoy, 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
No events scheduled.
THURSDAY
HIGH SCHOOL
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Class 4A: Krum vs. Dallas Lincoln, 7:30
p.m., Fort Worth Brewer
Class 3A: Ponder vs. Wall, 7:30 p.m.,
Tarleton State, Stephenville
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Guyer at Gander Tip-Off Classic, TBA
Ryan at Frisco Tournament, TBA
Liberty Christian at Colleyville Tip-Off
Classic, TBA
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
UTSA atUNT, 7 p.m.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
BASKETBALL
The North Texas Basketball League
will sponsor one-day basketball tourna-
ments for all ages on Dec. 20 at Guyer
High School. For more information,
contact Michael Eddy at meddy@denton
isd.org or 940-369-1197. Cost is $150.
RUGBY
The Denton men’s and women’s
rugby teams continue practice from 7
to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at
North Lakes Park. For more information,
call Tom Warrick at 940-484-4296 or
visit www.dentonrugby.com.
SOCCER
FC Dallas Youth Soccer is in the
Denton area. A boys program for ages
6-9 is based at Lake Dallas High School.
Contact coach Brandon Martin at bran-
donlmartin@hotmail.com or call 817-229-
2839 for more information.
If your organization, team or league
wants its event or registration pub-
lished, please fax your event to 940-
566-6888 or email to drcsports@
dentonrc.com.
From Page IB
Exhibition
was disappointed in the way UNT
played defensively but didn’t go to a
zone he will unveil during the regular
season. He believes the zone will be
UNT’s best defense.
He wanted his team to work
through its struggles and grow with-
out going to it.
That is exactly what he expects the
Mean Green to do after an exhibition
game that was closer than expected.
“This team has room to grow,”
Benford said. “The teams I had the
last two years would have lost that
game. The character and the tough-
ness of this team showed. We didn’t
fold and Jordan was the reason why.
He brought our guys together. The
leadership he has shown is unbeliev-
able.”
North Texas 106, Oklahoma City 100
OKLAHOMA CITY — McGhee 3-14 9-1117, Gigger 5-8 0-012,
Sane 2-7 3-3 7, Donovan 2-4 5-810, Chilton 7-18 9-13 24, Inglett
0-10-0 0, White 3-9 0-0 7, Reed 3-101-2 8, Jelencic 3-5 9-1015.
Totals 28-76 36-47100.
NORTH TEXAS — Flannigan 4-7 0-0 8, Voss 3-9 3-3 9, Aniefiok
4-10 2-212, Eaglin 0-2 5-6 5, Williams 6-1812-14 27, Ward 1-31-2
3, White-Pittman 5-8 4-715, Combs 9-13 5-10 23, Ahmed 2-3 0-0
4. Totals 34-73 32-44106.
Halftime — Tied, 47-47.3-point goals — OCU 8-24 (McGhee 2-5,
Gigger 2-4, Donovan 1-3, Chilton 1-5, Evan 1-4, Reed 1-2,
Jelencic 0-1),UNT 6-17 (Aniefiok 2-6, Eaglin 0-1, Williams 3-7,
White-Pittman 1-3). Rebounds — OCU 51 (Jelencic 9), UNT 49
(Flannigan 12). Assists — OCU 14 (Chilton 6), UNT 16 (White-
Pittman 7). Total fouls - OCU 35, UNT 29. A -1,306.
Ballplayer
smuggler
sentenced
to 14 years
Cuban’s group
brought Martin,
others to U.S.
By Curt Anderson
AP Legal Affairs Writer
MIAMI — The convicted
ringleader of a smuggling orga-
nization that brought more than
1,000 Cubans into the US.,*
some of them baseball players
including Texas Rangers out-
fielder Leonys Martin, was sen-
tenced Monday to more than 14
years in federal prison.
Pro baseball
Courts
U.S. District Judge Joan Le-
nard rejected a request for le-
niency by Eliezer Lazo, whom
she noted was paid $22,000 a
month through the scheme —
not counting the percentages of
any professional baseball con-
tracts the players signed. Prose-
cutors say Martin paid the Lazo
group $1.2 million after signing
with the Rangers in 2011.
“That’s a lot of money,” Le-
nard said.
Lazo, 41, will begin serving
the sentence after finishing an
unrelated five-year prison term
for money
laundering in
a Medicare
fraud case. In
the smuggling
case, he plead-
ed guilty in
August to ex-
tortion con-
spiracy.
The Lazo organization
smuggled Cubans by boat to
Mexico for $10,000 each, more
for the baseball players, accord-
ing to court documents. They
would then usually travel to the
U.S. border crossing at Laredo
and ask to be permitted to stay
in the U.S.
Under the U.S. “wet foot, dry
foot” policy, Cubans who reach
dryland in the U.S. are generally
allowed to remain while those
intercepted at sea are returned
to the communist island. Lazo’s
attorney, William Clay, said
many of Lazo’s customers were
oveijoyed to make it to the U.S.
despite the costs.
“They had gotten what they
bargained for,” Clay said.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney
Ron Davidson said migrants
who couldn’t pay were held for
ransom by armed guards, often
threatened and sometimes
beaten. Although Lazo himself
did not participate in any vio-
lence, Davidson said he was well
aware it was going on.
“This man is not a freedom
fighter,” Davidson said.
The case also provided a
glimpse into how Mexican drug
cartels get their cut of the mi-
grant smuggling business.
Court documents show that in
the Cancun area, the Zetas car-
tel charges Cuban smugglers
$10,000 per boat and up to
$3,000 per migrant to allow
them to pass through their terri-
tory and assist in paying bribes
to local officials.
No evidence surfaced in the
case that Martin or any of the
other valuable Cuban ballplay-
ers were mistreated. Only Mar-
tin has been identified by name
in the Lazo case, but other Cu-
ban stars such as Los Angeles
Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig
have also been smuggled
through Mexico.
Aside from being free from
Cuba, baseball players from that
country have an incentive to go
to a third country such as Mex-
ico before signing MLB con-
tracts. If they came directly to
the U.S., they would be subject
to the MLB draft and likely sign
a less lucrative deal. Going to
Mexico first makes them free
agents looking for the highest
bidder.
Martin, a speedy outfielder,
signed a five-year, $15.5 million
contract with the Rangers in
2011 Last year he batted .274
and stole 31 bases.
Martin
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Parks, Scott K. Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 101, Ed. 1 Tuesday, November 11, 2014, newspaper, November 11, 2014; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1125002/m1/8/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .