Gonzalez Says He Won't Contest Paternity Suit

Juan Gonzalez, whose loss in a paternity lawsuit prompted his wife to demand a divorce, says he will not appeal the decision to the Puerto Rican Supreme Court.

In his first interview since losing in an appeals court last week, Gonzalez told WUNO radio yesterday he will instead try to develop a relationship with his 4-year-old son, Igor.

"I analyzed the situation and I decided it was for the best," he said.

Igor's mother, Lisa Ferrer, said she became pregnant with Gonzalez's child while the outfielder was dating meringue star Olga Tanon, now his wife. In her lawsuit, Ferrer demanded Gonzalez acknowledge he is Igor's father.

Tanon said in a written statement last week she would demand a divorce after less than a year of marriage, though by yesterday no court papers had been filed. Tanon is on tour in South America.

-- Tampa Bay promoted Bill Russell, former Los Angeles Dodger manager, to its major-league coaching staff and said four other coaches will be retained for the 2000 season.

-- Left-hander Ramon Tatis was claimed on waivers by Detroit, which designed infielder Carlos Villalobos for assignment.

-- Miles Prentice, who still wants to buy the Kansas City Royals even though baseball rejected his offer, said that David Glass should quit as the team's chairman. Glass, the chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Inc., said Tuesday he intends to bid for the franchise. For more than a year, Glass had denied he was interested.

"We think Mr. Glass should resign to protect the integrity of the process," said David Westbrook, Prentice's spokesman. "Any issue the board considers or policy it sets could bear directly on the strategic issue of making arrangements to sell this team."

Tennis

Pete Sampras still has a ways to go before reclaiming the No. 1 ranking from Andre Agassi.

With girlfriend Steffi Graf watching, Agassi made Sampras look like a player who has spent too much time away from tennis. Agassi won 6-2, 6-2 in their showdown at the ATP Tour World Championship in Hannover, Germany.

"I was a touch rusty, but it had a lot to do with Andre," said Sampras, ranked No. 5. "It's not an excuse, he clearly outplayed me. . . He returned incredibly. He hardly missed a shot."

Sampras has played only three matches the last three months because of hip and back injuries.

Earlier, No. 4 Thomas Enqvist beat No. 6 Nicolas Kiefer 6-4, 7-5 in the White Group.

Golf

The LPGA Tour's schedule for 2000 has left the third week in September open in case a replacement sponsor can be found for the Safeco Classic, which has been staged in Kent.

Safeco decided to drop sponsorship after 18 years, but Commissioner Ty Votaw says another Seattle-area sponsor could step in.

The tour lost three other events. It terminated its contract with the Boston area tournament (areaweb.com Challenge) because Votaw said the promoter failed to pay the bills. And two Florida events - the HealthSouth Inaugural in Orlando and the Titleholders Championship at LPGA headquarters in Daytona Beach - are no longer on the schedule.

-- Sophomore Jon Reehoorn shot a final-round 72 to finish in a tie for 13th and help the Washington State men into a tie for sixth at the Stan Sheriff Intercollegiate Golf Tournament at the Ko'olau Golf Club in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Boxing

Stephan Johnson, who was critically injured during a boxing match last weekend, took a turn for the worse yesterday, said Kenneth Woods, his manager.

Johnson, 31, remained hospitalized in Atlantic City (N.J.) Medical Center. At his mother's request, the hospital refused to give information about him or list a condition.

Winter sports

Hermann Maier of Austria won the World Cup men's giant slalom in 2 minutes 32.48 seconds in Beaver Creek, Colo.

Michael Von Gruenigen of Switzerland was second in 2:32.76 and Andreas Schifferer of Austria third in 2:33.63.

-- Figure skater Nicole Bobek will be back on the ice Sunday after medical tests showed no serious disease was responsible for her high white blood cell count, her coach said.

Gymnastics

Peter Kormann, former Olympic bronze medalist and coordinator for the USA Gymnastics men's national team since 1996, will coach the U.S team in the 2000 Olympics.

- Seattle Times news services