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July 31 -- Hall-of-fame coach reflects on four decades of x's and o's: PALESTINE, Texas -- Pound for pound, James Davis, a 145-pound cornerback, was the "toughest player" Monte Jack Driskell ever coached. Pound for pound, Driskell was perhaps the toughest farm kid to make it on the college basketball level.

July 31 -- Two UT football starters arrested: AUSTIN (AP) -- New University of Texas football coach Mack Brown says he will wait on the judicial system before deciding on possible team sanctions against two linemen arrested on alcohol-related charges.

July 31 -- Marlins' first-round pick leaning toward baseball over Texas A&M football: HOUSTON (AP) -- Chip Ambres saw his first professional baseball game in person Wednesday night. Soon, he may be playing in one.

July 31 -- Sports columnist switches newspapers: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Sports columnist Randy Galloway said Thursday he's leaving The Dallas Morning News after 32 years to join the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

July 30 -- Major league RBI leader to be sidelined a few days: TORONTO (AP) - Texas slugger Juan Gonzalez, chasing Hack Wilson's major-league record of 190 RBIs, will miss up to five games because of tightness in his right hamstring, manager Johnny Oates said Wednesday.

July 30 -- Rangers defeat Toronto: TORONTO (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez drove in three runs and Darren Oliver avenged two early-season losses to the Blue Jays as the Texas Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Toronto 9-6 Wednesday night.

July 29 -- NFL owners approve McCombs' bid for Vikings: GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) - Red McCombs will be the new owner of the Minnesota Vikings. NFL team owners today unanimously approved the San Antonio businessman's $250 million purchase of the team. His partner, Gary Woods, said the sale should close by mid-August.

July 29 -- Texas major-college coaches talk of optimism, obstacles: HOUSTON (AP) - Coaches from five of the eight former Southwest Conference schools made their annual high school convention appearances Tuesday, each brimming with summertime preseason optimism.

July 29 -- Group seeks baseball funding election: ROUND ROCK, Texas (AP) - A group of Round Rock residents wants to give voters a chance to decide on city funding for a minor league baseball stadium.

July 29 -- Texas Leaguer hits four homers in one game: LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Tyrone Horne was as baffled as anyone. "Honestly, there's no explanation for this," he said. After all, it's not every night he hits four home runs and knocks in 10 runs.

July 29 -- NFL mothers organize: SHERMAN, Texas - Quick, you are a tight end in the National Football League who has caught a pass, burst through the opposing team's secondary and scored a touchdown. Shortly after, on the sidelines, the television camera turns to you.

July 28 -- Catcher Doug Witt stays cool warming up Rangers pitchers: ARLINGTON, Texas - Cliff Johnson and Fran Healy couldn't stand each other. They were reduced to being backup catchers on the New York Yankees in the mid-1970s and neither was getting much playing time behind All-Star Thurman Munson. Their primary job was to warm up pitchers in the bullpen, but neither wanted to do it.

July 28 -- Rangers watching their backs in AL West: ARLINGTON (AP) - Texas Rangers designated hitter Lee Stevens says it's not good to look in the rearview mirror.

July 28 -- Stack, Britton team up once more in football all-star game: HOUSTON (AP) - Spencer Stack and Que Britton reached the top of the Texas high school football mount last season by winning the Class 5A Division II championship. But the senior quarterback and the coach have one more piece of business to wrap up. All-Star Roster

July 28 -- Bill Walsh talks philosophy to kick off THSCA coaching school: HOUSTON (AP) - Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh didn't bring his vaunted "West Coast offense" to the Gulf Coast on Monday. Instead, he talked philosophy to more than 1,000 note-scribbling Texas high school coaches at their annual convention.

July 28 -- Southwest Texas names interim athletic director: SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP) - Dana Craft, longtime associate director of athletics at Southwest Texas State University, has been named interim director of athletics while a search is underway to replace Michael Alden.

July 27 -- Malone makes early Hofheinz Pavilion debut in all-star game: HOUSTON (AP) -- Moses Malone Jr.'s appearance in the Texas High School Coaches Association basketball all-star game is supposed to be an encore to a stellar career. For him, it's all about new beginnings.

July 27 -- Backpacking basics: Be honest about what you can carry: People who sell backpacks for a living often face a simple but difficult problem.

July 27 -- Waco angler maps strategy for Classic: DALLAS -- When Waco bass pro Alton Jones spent a week in mid-July practicing for the 28th annual BASS Masters Classic tournament, he never caught a legal bass. That would freak out most anglers preparing for the Super Bowl of bass fishing, but Jones wasn't concerned with what his big-mouthed opponents were doing nearly a month before the event.

July 26 -- McElroy looking for new lease on career: TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Two frustrating seasons in Arizona convinced Leeland McElroy one thing. He'd rather be an appreciated backup than an underused starter.

July 26 -- Murphy speaks out about city athletics probe: HOUSTON (AP) -- NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy says a probe into his work as the Houston youth athletic director has left him angry.

July 26 -- Texas League All-Star game scheduled Tuesday night: LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Greg Vaughn of the San Diego Padres drove in four runs for the winners and John Wetteland of the Texas Rangers was the starting pitcher.

July 25 -- Stars getting ready to rumble? IRVING, Texas - Bob Gainey dashes between meetings, trying to help the NHL fix a few of its problems while attempting to do the same for the Stars.

July 25 -- Drew goes on seven-day disabled list: SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The $7 million man is going on the seven-day disabled list.

July 24 -- Big 12 coaches in the pressure cooker say it's no big deal: DALLAS (AP) - In a profession where pressure and scrutiny are as much facts of life as gravity, Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel and Iowa State's Dan McCarney face more than their share of both in 1998.

July 24 -- Officials: Houston's downtown ballpark on schedule, under budget: HOUSTON (AP) - The city that invented indoor baseball is on schedule and under budget to once again go outside and play.

July 24 -- Longhorns, Tar Heels, agree to two-game series: CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina will play Texas in a two-game football series in 2001 and 2002, UNC athletic officials said.

July 23 -- 'Huskers, Aggies picked to be on top again in Big 12: DALLAS (AP) - Nebraska and Texas A&M, who met in last year's Big 12 championship game, are picked to repeat as division champions in a preseason balloting of media members who cover the league.

July 23 -- Despite Gonzalez' three RBIs, Rangers lose: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Dean Palmer's three-run homer helped the Kansas City Royals overcome three more RBIs by Juan Gonzalez to defeat the Texas Rangers 7-4 Wednesday night.

July 23 -- Rangers' Greer and Clark are two of a kind: It makes sense that Rusty Greer's locker sits beside Will Clark's inside the Texas Rangers' clubhouse at The Ballpark in Arlington, Tex.

July 23 -- Former football great released from rehab hospital: ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Pro Football Hall of Famer Doak Walker, paralyzed by a January skiing accident, was moved Wednesday from a suburban Denver rehabilitation hospital to an extended care facility near his Rocky Mountain home.

July 23 -- Kile draws heat from media, fans: HOUSTON - Prior to Monday night's game in the Astrodome, fans were leaning over the roof of the visitors' dugout, pleading with Darryl Kile for his autograph.

July 23 -- Hogan items leaving Colonial for national golf museum: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Legendary golfer Ben Hogan helped put the Colonial Country Club on the map. But now, most of his trophies and memorabilia are leaving the Fort Worth club for the East Coast.

July 22 -- Astros closer anxious to return to bullpen: HOUSTON - Billy Wagner will be 27 on Saturday. He has a promising major league career ahead of him and his first child is on the way.

July 21 -- Astros licenses for new stadium seats to cost as much as $20,000 apiece: HOUSTON (AP) - If you want the privilege to buy absolutely the best seats in the Houston Astros' new downtown baseball stadium now under construction, prepare to dig deep.

July 21 -- Ex-Texas Tech star knows NBA eyes watching: MONTE CARLO, Monaco - The stars aren't here for the U.S. team that is training for the FIBA World Championship of Basketball.

July 19 -- Astros 7, Giants 2: HOUSTON (AP) -- Sean Bergman held on until the Houston hitters broke loose.

July 18 -- UNT grad looks for brighter future with Cowboys: DENTON, Texas -- Toby Gowin is back at camp for his second season with the Dallas Cowboys.

July 18 -- Grand jury declines to indict Calvin Murphy: HOUSTON (AP) -- A grand jury Friday declined to indict Hall of Fame basketball player Calvin Murphy on charges that he lied on his time sheets while working as the city's youth athletic director.

July 18 -- Rangers trade Van Poppel to Pirates for Loaiza: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Less than a month after calling up local product Todd Van Poppel from the minors, the Texas Rangers traded him Friday to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Esteban Loaiza, another right-handed pitcher.

July 17 -- Former Olympic swimmer reaches out to youngsters: AUSTIN -- Sometime Saturday afternoon, Shaun Jordan will ask pre-teens and teen-agers to take a break from the cannonballs and belly flops that will dominate the Barton Springs Diving Championships and learn a thing or two about the fundamentals of swimming.

July 17 -- Tech fans anxiously await word from NCAA: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Life under the shadow of the NCAA's sharpest ax can be nervewracking, stomach twisting and downright exasperating for college sports fans whose school is tangled in the web of alleged compliance violations.

July 17 -- Frightening injury jolts Astros: PHOENIX (AP) -- There are few moments in sports more frightening than the one that silenced the big Bank One Ballpark crowd.

July 16 -- Houston Astros' Bell and Everett quietly pursue battling title: PHOENIX -- Derek Bell and Carl Everett say they're not thinking about it.

July 15 -- Boxing coach helps Austin youth fight drugs and gangs: AUSTIN -- For almost eight years, Austin boxing coach Joe Vela Jr. prayed for a 4,000-square-foot building in South Austin to house his youth boxing program.

July 14 -- Report: Texas Tech allowed receiver to play despite NCAA information: HOUSTON - Texas Tech allowed a receiver to play after learning of an NCAA memorandum suggesting he was improperly readmitted to the university in 1995, according to newly released documents examined by the Houston Chronicle.

July 14 -- Juan's quest merits kudos, no matter what: ARLINGTON, Texas - Roger Maris is going down. Mark McGwire is going to hit at least 62 home runs this season. But Hack Wilson is safe. Juan Gonzalez is not going to drive in 190 runs.

July 14 -- Gonzalez chases immortality in relative anonymity: It's late and the familiar music blares through the darkness. "SportsCenter" is next. For ballplayers, it's a nightly bedtime lullaby. At the top of the show, there is the daily chase for home-run immortality.

July 13 -- Mistakes cost Rangers another win over Oakland: OAKLAND, Calif. - Jimmy Haynes pitched seven strong innings and the Oakland Athletics, taking advantage of three Texas baserunning mistakes, defeated the Rangers 7-5 Sunday to avoid a four-game series sweep.

July 12 -- Rangers back in lead with win over Oakland: OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Luis Alicea had a three-run double with two outs in the ninth inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-2 on Saturday to take the AL West lead.

July 12 -- TSWA Class 5A all-state team: Here is the 1998 Class 5A all-state softball team, as named by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

July 12 -- Lone Star Park: GRAND PRAIRIE - Here are Saturday's results from Lone Star Park

July 11 -- Alamodome fight fourth match between Leija, Nelson: SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Their re-, re-, rematch promises to be just as exciting as their first three fights. And it could finally settle a 5-year-old score between Jesse James Leija and Azumah Nelson, who fight Saturday night in a 12-round lightweight bout at the Alamodome.

July 11 -- Class 4A softball team: BRYAN, Texas (AP) - Port Neches-Groves pitcher Kendra Daniels and Waco Midway catcher Terroni Collins have been named co-Class 4A softball players of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

July 11 -- Texas Sports Writers name Class 4A baseball team: BRYAN, Texas (AP) - Highland Park pitcher Zane Carlson and Texas High catcher Mark Younk have been named Class 4A baseball co-players of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

July 10 -- Summer recruiting pays off for women's basketball coaches: DES MOINES, Iowa - Leaning back in one of the arena's theater-type seats, Marsha Sharp considered all the other things she could be doing on a warm summer day. Sitting at the ocean perhaps. Or just relaxing on the deck. Or maybe running a camp back in Texas.

July 10 -- Rangers 4, Athletics 1: OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez singled in the tie-breaking run in the ninth and John Burkett pitched eight strong innings as the Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-1 Thursday.

July 10 -- Texas Sports Writers name Class 2A baseball team: BRYAN, Texas (AP) - Keith Whatley, who was 13-2 and led Atlanta to the state championship, has been named Class 3A player of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

July 10 -- Class 3A softball team: BRYAN, Texas (AP) - Miranda Mayse, who was 15-3 and led Kennedale to the state championship, has been named Class 3A softball player of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

July 9 -- Cost of lowering UT football field surges: AUSTIN (AP) - The cost of lowering the football field as part of a stadium renovation and expansion at the University of Texas has escalated, shooting up 28 percent, UT officials say.

July 9 -- Older Rangers must compete with younger legs in second half: ARLINGTON, Texas - The final out starts the dash for ice in the Texas Rangers' clubhouse. First baseman Will Clark needs ice for his left elbow. Second baseman Mark McLemore puts it on both knees. Shortstop Kevin Elster uses it to soothe his back, shoulder and ankles. Reliever Xavier Hernandez gives his right shoulder a double dose.

July 9 -- Texas Sports Writers name Class 2A softball team: BRYAN, Texas (AP) - Coahoma's Tara Sterling, who led her team to the state championship, was named the Class 2A softball player of the year by the Texas Sports Writer's Association.

July 9 -- Baylor begins laying down grass field: WACO, Texas (AP) - The Baylor Bears will play home football games on natural grass for the first time since 1971, beginning with a date against North Carolina State on Sept. 19.

July 9 -- Stars sign journeyman goaltender: DALLAS (AP) - The Dallas Stars have signed free-agent goaltender Mike Bales to a 2-year contract, the club announced Wednesday.

July 9 -- Young Texan to compete in international archery competition: GUNTER, Texas - Who comes to mind when you think of legendary archers? Say William Tell and Robin Hood and you've hit the bull's-eye.

July 8 -- Astros hold NL Central lead with consistency: HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Astros consistently proved in the first half of the season that they could be consistent.

July 8 -- Texas Sports Writers name Class A baseball team: BRYAN, Texas (AP) - Anthony Abrameit, who was 18-1 with a 1.45 ERA in leading Thrall to a state title, has been named Class A player of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

July 8 -- No sibling rivalry here - calf roping bothers teach each other: DENTON, Texas - In the long history of relationships between brothers, there is usually a rivalry and competition. Rarely do two brothers get along such that there is no sense of one being better than the other.

July 7 -- Rangers hope to leave first-half struggles behind: ARLINGTON (AP) - Plenty went wrong for the Texas Rangers in the first half of 1998. Their pitching staff proved itself only two reliable starters deep. Their defense proved shaky. Their offense was prone to disappearing. A six-game American League West lead on May 27 became a 3-1/2-game deficit by July 1.

July 7 -- Fans appreciate what Gonzalez has done: ARLINGTON (AP) - One of Juan Gonzalez's biggest rewards for reaching 100 RBIs before the All-Star break was a standing ovation from the normally reserved Texas Rangers fans.

July 7 -- Baylor may end use of live bear: WACO (AP) - Baylor University is considering phasing out its tradition of using a live bear as its mascot.

July 6 -- Gonzalez leads Rangers to win: ARLINGTON (AP) - Juan Gonzalez hit a pair of two-run homers to boost his major league-leading RBI total to 101 at the All-Star break as the Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 8-4 on Sunday night.

July 5 -- Clyde recalls date with fame 25 years ago: TOMBALL, Texas (AP) - A few interview requests still come in each June, mixed in with phone orders for 10-penny nails, latex paint and plywood. The writers ask lumber store manager David Clyde to reach back through the years to a time when he was the nation's hottest baseball prospect.

July 5 -- McCombs: Vikings move to San Antonio 'not an issue": SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The city's residents want it and Minnesotans dread the prospect, but the new Vikings owner says the football team won't be moved to Texas.

July 4 -- Dallas Stars sign free agent Brett Hull: DALLAS (AP) - Brett Hull, the most sought-after free agent in the NHL, has signed a three-year, $17 million contract with the Dallas Stars, the team announced at a news conference Friday.

July 4 -- Austin swimmer plans to cross Atlantic to honor father: AUSTIN - In Benoit Marie Jean-Paul Lecomte's mind, which promises to be a very fascinating place for the next few months, he is a man without a country. It is not France, where he was born, raised and Sorbonne-educated, nor the United States, to which he migrated seven years ago. Not ready to give up his Gallic citizenship, not ready to leave his home in Austin, "I'm somewhere in between," he explains.

July 4 -- Ousted New Mexico State coach applies for job in Texas: LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Neil McCarthy, who lost his job at New Mexico State despite winning more games than any other coach in school history, has applied for the coaching job at Sam Houston State University, his attorney said.

July 3 -- Wetteland, Sele excited about selection to all-star game: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas Rangers Pitchers Aaron Sele and John Wetteland were delighted about being named to the American League All-Star Classic, but disappointed fellow Texas Rangers hurler Rick Helling will be staying home.

July 3 -- Former Alydar groom convicted of lying to grand jury: HOUSTON (AP) - A former groom for Alydar was convicted today of lying to a grand jury investigating the 1990 death of the famed race horse, which was insured for $36.5 million.

July 3 -- Dallas Stars re-sign Carboneau, Ludwig: DALLAS (AP) - Center Guy Carbonneau and defenseman Craig Ludwig, both free agents, re-signed with the Dallas Stars on Thursday, agreeing to one-year contracts, each with a one-year option.

July 3 -- Bragan's days in baseball basis for Texas Wesleyan exhibit: FORT WORTH, Texas - Bobby Bragan is part of a museum exhibit. By no means does that mean that he is ready to sit on a shelf and collect dust. Actually, it's not quite a museum. It's a library.

July 3 -- Friends remember "Short Dog" Montgomery: HOUSTON (AP) - Glenn "Short Dog" Montgomery fought Lou Gehrig's disease with the same tenacity that he played football.

July 2 -- Rangers may hold toy giveaway: ARLINGTON, Texas - Major League Baseball and the Rangers have searched long and hard for ways to unlock the hearts of children. They've decided Beanie Babies are the key.

July 2 -- Williams to skip rest of baseball season, focus on football: AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - University of Texas running back Ricky Williams said Wednesday he is skipping the rest of his season in the Philadelphia Phillies' minor league baseball farm system to focus on football.

July 2 -- Jurors deliberate second day on fate of Alydar's groom: HOUSTON (AP) - The fate of Alydar's former groom remained in jurors' hands for a second day Wednesday as the panel deliberated whether the man lied about his whereabouts the night the stallion was fatally injured in 1990.

July 2 -- Astros sign top draft pick: HOUSTON (AP) - Notre Dame pitcher Brad Lidge, the Houston Astros' top pick in the player draft, has agreed to a contract with the club.

July 1 -- Rodriguez, Gonzalez chosen as Griffey tops AL All-Star voting: NEW YORK - While Ken Griffey is second in the chase for the home run record, he's still first in fans' hearts.

July 1 -- Dodgers 4, Rangers 1 : ARLINGTON (AP) - Darren Dreifort allowed three hits over eight innings and Adrian Beltre hit his first major league homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Texas Rangers 4-1 Tuesday night.

July 1 -- German star to play with Mavericks: DALLAS (AP) - Dirk Nowitzki, the 6-foot-11 German star selected in the NBA draft, plans to give up European ball to play for the Dallas Mavericks next season.