(Stations: Please substitute the following for V1221, slugged 8th SportsMinute, which moved at 8:14 p.m. Eastern time. The new version CORRECTS Hawkins' record in 3rd item)


Rockies let three coaches go...Colorado coach gets rewarded...Saints' Porter done for the year

DENVER (AP) A disappointing 74-and-88 season has led to some changes in the Colorado Rockies coaching staff. Hitting coach Alan Cockrell, third base coach Mike Gallego (gy-YAY'-goh) and bench coach Jamie Quirk were not offered contracts by the Rockies today.

Pitching coach Bob Apodaca (a-poh-DA'-kuh) and first base coach Glenallen Hill will return for the 2009 season but bullpen coach Rick Mathews has been reassigned to a role to be determined later.

UNDATED (AP) It's an off night for the baseball playoffs. The NLCS begins Thursday night in Philadelphia with the Phillies hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. The ALCS starts Friday night in St. Petersburg with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) University of Colorado Football coach Dan Hawkins has agreed to a contract extension that keeps him with the Buffaloes through 2012. Hawkins is 11-and-19 in his third year at Colorado, including a 3-and-2 mark this season.

CINCINNATI (AP) Cincinnati reserve linebacker Darryl Blackstock has been suspended for four games by the NFL for using a performance-enhancing substance. Blackstock was signed by the Bengals as a free agent from Arizona in the offseason.

METAIRIE, La. (AP) Saints starting cornerback Tracy Porter will miss the rest of his rookie season after dislocating his right wrist during last night's 30-27 loss to Minnesota. Team officials tell The Associated Press that Porter had surgery on the wrist and the Saints have placed him on injured reserve.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-07-08 1928CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list