Brand had a $16.4 million player option and Maggette?s was for $8.4 million for next season, which both passed on just prior to Tuesday?s free agent deadline.

The duo cannot officially sign with another team or re-sign with the Clippers until July 9, when the league?s moratorium ends.

?We have been notified by Elton Brand and Corey Maggette of each player?s decision to opt out of his respective contract,? Los Angeles president Andy Roeser said. ?On Monday night, when NBA rules permit, we will be aggressive in contacting them to address our interest in having them remain with the Clippers.

?We will also be active in contacting other free agents in whom we have interest.?

The Clippers are coming off two straight losing seasons - including an injury-riddled 23-59 finish last campaign - after their first playoff appearance in nine years in 2005-06.

Maggette was one of the team?s lone bright spots last season, scoring a career-high 22.1 points per game. Brand, on the other hand, played just eight games after suffering an Achilles injury in a preseason workout.

• 1956: New York Giants (NFL) and New York Yankees (MLB)
• 1971: Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
• 1976: Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
• 1999: Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and Dallas Stars (NHL)
• 2001: Denver Broncos (NFL) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
• 2002: Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) and Anaheim Angels (MLB)
• 2004: New England Patriots (NFL) and Boston Red Sox (MLB)

Students of sports history, however, are aware that these four trophies have not always represented “the” major leagues. There are the defunct competing major leagues such as the pre-merger American Football League or the World Hockey Association to consider. Also, the NBA was not always the major league in basketball, and other leagues have a good claim to being “the” major league for basketball at various times. Finally, we should at least consider the champions of the Canadian Football League considering the number of NHL teams from that country.

Broadening the definition like this adds relatively few cities to our list. Twice in the late 20’s three of four major league champions were from New York: the Giants, Yankees and Brooklyn Celtics in 1927, and the Yankees, Rangers and Brooklyn Celtics in 1928. The Brooklyn Celtics played in the American Basketball League, at a time when the NBA did not yet exist.

Other two-champion cities considering these competing and defunct major leagues are:

• 1930: Montreal Canadiens (NHL) and Montreal AAA (CFL)
• 1932: Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
• 1942: Toronto Maple Leafs (NFL) and Toronto RCAF Hurricanes (CFL)
• 1944: Montreal Canadiens (NHL) and Toronto HMCS Donnacona
• 1947: Chicago Cardinals (NFL) and Chicago American Gears (NBL)
• 1947: Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
• 1948: Cleveland Indians (MLB) and Cleveland Browns (AAFC)
• 1977: Montreal Canadiens(MHL) and Montreal Alouettes (CFL)
• 1987: Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) Notes:
  • The Toronto RCAF Hurricanes and Montreal HMCS Donnacona were football teams from various armed forces bases which competed for the Grey Cup during WWII.
  • The Chicago American Gears were in the National Basketball League. The NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1949 to form the current NBA.
  • The Cleveland Browns started their history in the All-America Football Conference. The AAFC competed with the NFL for four years. In 1949 the AAFC partially merged into the NFL, the Cleveland Browns won the NFL championship the next year.

So while no city has completed what might be a “GrandSlam” of major league team sports, New York (twice) and Los Angeles (once) came close.

Matthew Craver has been a professional writer for the last 11 years working in a variety of fields.

Starting the day three shots clear of the field, the 25-year-old Larrazabal carded a 4-under-par 67 to finish with an overall score of 15-under 269, well ahead of runner-up Colin Montgomerie.

Larrazabal never looked back after holing a testing 12-footer for par on the opening green.

Larrazabal, who five years ago caddied for brother Alejandro at The Masters, only secured his entry for this week?s tournament at a local qualifying event.

However, he led from the first round at Le Golf National and secured a huge winner?s prize of $1.05 million that now sends him soaring into contention for September?s Ryder Cup.

Dane Soren Hansen finished one behind Montgomerie in third at 10-under, with Australian Richard Green two shots further back in fourth.

Lee Westwood had to settle for a share of fifth with Austrian Marcus Brier after a closing 71.

Atlanta Thrashers - None.

Boston Bruins - Acquired left wing Matt Marquardt from the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Jonathan Sigalet; acquired defenseman Johnny Boychuk from the Colorado Avalanche for center Matt Hendricks.

Buffalo Sabres - None.

Calgary Flames - Acquired center Michael Cammalleri and a 2008 second-round pick from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2008 first-round pick and a 2009 second-round pick; acquired a 2008 first-round pick and a 2009 second-round pick from the Montreal Canadiens for left wing Alex Tanguay and a 2008 fifth-round pick.

Carolina Hurricanes - Acquired the rights to left wing Darcy Hordichuk from the Nashville Predators for a 2009 fifth-round pick.

Chicago Blackhawks - None.

Colorado Avalanche - Acquired center Marty Sertich from the Dallas Stars for a 2009 conditional pick; acquired a 2008 second-round pick from the Los Angeles Kings for right wing Brad Richardson; aquired center Matt Hendricks from the Boston Bruins for defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

Columbus Blue Jackets - Acquired defenseman Jonathan Sigalet from the Boston Bruins for left wing Matt Marquardt; acquired center R.J. Umberger and a 2008 fourth-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers for 2008 first- and third-round picks.

Dallas Stars - Acquired a 2009 conditional pick from the Colorado Avalanche for center Marty Sertich.

Detroit Red Wings - None.

Edmonton Oilers - Acquired center Ryan Potulny from the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Danny Syvret.

Florida Panthers - Acquired defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and a 2008 second-round pick from the Phoenix Coyotes for center Olli Jokinen.

Los Angeles Kings - Acquired a 2009 fifth-round pick from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman T.J. Fast; acquired a 2008 first-round pick and a 2009 second-round pick from the Calgary Flames for center Michael Cammalleri and a 2008 second-round pick; acquired right wing Brad Richardson from the Colorado Avalanche for a 2008 second-round pick.

Minnesota Wild - Acquired defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from the Anaheim Ducks for a 2008 third-round pick.

Montreal Canadiens - Acquired left wing Alex Tanguay and a 2008 fifth-round pick from the Calgary Flames for a 2008 first-round pick and a 2009 second-round pick.

Nashville Predators - Acquired a 2009 fifth-round pick from the Carolina Hurricanes for the rights to left wing Darcy Hordichuk; acquired a 2008 fourth-round pick from the St. Louis Blues for goaltender Chris Mason; acquired left wing Triston Grant and a 2009 seventh-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Janne Niskala.

New Jersey Devils - None.

New York Islanders - None.

New York Rangers - Acquired a 2008 third-round pick from the Phoenix Coyotes for right wing Alex Bourret.

Ottawa Senators - Acquired a 2009 fifth-round pick from the Phoenix Coyotes for right wing Brian McGrattan.

Philadelphia Flyers - Acquired defenseman Danny Syvret from the Edmonton Oilers for center Ryan Potulny; acquired a 2008 seventh-round pick and a 2009 conditional fourth-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning for the rights to left wing Vaclav Prospal; acquired 2008 first- and third-round picks from the Columbus Blue Jackets for center R.J. Umberger and a 2008 fourth-round pick; acquired defenseman Steve Eminger and a 2008 third-round pick from the Washington Capitals for a 2008 first-round pick; acquired defenseman Janne Niskala from the Nashville Predators for left wing Triston Grant and a 2009 seventh-round pick.

Phoenix Coyotes - Acquired center Olli Jokinen from the Florida Panthers for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and a 2008 second-round pick; acquired right wing Alex Bourret from the New York Rangers for a 2008 third-round pick; acquired right wing Brian McGrattan from the Ottawa Senators for a 2009 fifth-round pick.

Pittsburgh Penguins - None.

St. Louis Blues - Acquired defenseman T.J. Fast from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2009 fifth-round pick; acquired a 2008 third-round pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs for right wing Jamal Mayers; acquired goaltender Chris Mason from the Nashville Predators for a 2008 fourth-round pick.

San Jose Sharks - None.

Tampa Bay Lightning - Acquired the rights to left wing Vaclav Prospal from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2008 seventh-round pick and a 2009 conditional fourth-round pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs - Acquired right wing Jamal Mayers from the St. Louis Blues for a 2008 third-round pick.

Vancouver Canucks - Claimed center Kyle Wellwood off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Washington Capitals - Acquired a 2008 first-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Steve Eminger and a 2008 third-round pick.

After nearly completing the deal earlier in the week, Pacers and Raptors officials needed to exchange more medical information on O?Neal?s left knee and Ford?s neck before finding a comfort level with the trade. It is believed both sides now are comfortable making the deal, though the trade won?t be complete until both O?Neal and Ford pass their physicals.

Toronto also will send Rasho Nesterovic and another role player to match up with O?Neal?s salary. O?Neal is owed $44 million over the next two seasons. He played just 42 games for Indiana a year ago with a left knee injury. O?Neal has expressed a desire to leave the Pacers for a contender.

Ford, who has a history of neck injuries, became expendable when Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo decided that he wanted to make Jose Calderon the franchise?s future at point guard.

Ford was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition that narrows the openings the spinal cord runs through. He missed the 2004-05 season with the Bucks following neck surgery, and missed 13 games with a neck injury last season after Atlanta?s Al Horford leveled him on a breakaway layup. Ford has $25 million and two years left on his contract. Indiana had been searching for a point guard and Ford takes the job now.

Calderon is a restricted free agent, and Colangelo has insisted that he?ll match any offer for him. Clearly, the Raptors will belong to him now.

The Pacers would now hold the 11th and 17th picks in the draft.

?You?re never pleased to have to plead to anything,? said Taylor?s defense attorney Ron McGlaughlin. ?But from the standpoint that the matter is finally over with, I think it worked out appropriately.?

The players were sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service by Centre County Judge Bradley P. Lunsford, who gave the players a stern lecture about being role models.

Taylor, who will be a junior in the fall, and Bowman, who will be a redshirt sophomore, had been kicked off the team while their cases were pending.

Sports information director Jeff Nelson said he has not received any update that would indicate either players? status with the team had changed.

Bowman and Taylor are among a number of Penn State football players who have been charged over the last year in connection to assaults.

?A lot of kids look up to them,? McGlaughlin said, recounting Lunsford?s talk. ?When they act or engage in problems they obviously cause more problems than they realize.?

Bowman?s attorney, Stacy Parks Miller, said her client is eager to move on.

?My client?s pleased to put this behind him, get on with his life, play football again and get back to school,? Miller said.

Although authorities said more than a dozen players were seen on video surveillance near the altercation, police ultimately charged three players with beating a Philadelphia man who was attending a party at the campus student center Oct. 7.

Kobe Bryant was positively giddy.

The Los Angeles Lakers star and his teammates, resplendent in caps and T-shirts honoring their Western Conference championship, were celebrating on the Staples Center floor as Jerry West spoke to the crowd.

The 70-year-old West, known as Mr. Clutch during a Hall of Fame career with the Lakers, presented his former team with the conference championship trophy following its 100-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.

?I?ve seen a lot of great players in my life, but you people in L.A. are very privileged to see this young man here, Kobe Bryant. He?s something special,? West said.

?A dream come true, the answer to a prayer,? a beaming Bryant would tell the fans a few minutes later.

West was the Lakers? general manager 12 years ago when he pulled off a deal even greater than the Pau Gasol heist, acquiring Bryant from Charlotte for center Vlade Divac a couple of weeks after the NBA draft. Divac was expendable because the Lakers were about to sign free agent Shaquille O?Neal.

A top-three finish a the U.S. Olympic Trials and the ?A? standard are needed to secure a spot on the Olympic team.

?I think the trials will be fast enough, but I don?t want to worry about a time,? Goucher said. ?I want to go to the trials and just get in the top three and not have to worry, `Am I running fast enough???

The women?s 10,000 meters and a men?s 5,000 meter race were arranged by Goucher?s coach, Alberto Salazar. The races followed an all-star meet for high school athletes from Oregon and Washington.

Goucher?s husband, Adam Goucher, did not run in the 5,000 meters as planned because of a sore back. Galen Rupp, another Olympic hopeful, pulled out of the race with just more than two laps to go because of tenderness in his left calf.

All three athletes are part of Nike?s Oregon Project team.

Goucher plans to run next in the women?s 5,000 meters at the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday in Eugene, Ore.

Both Flores and Marsch have scored in three consecutive games, and Chivas has won all three. Chivas (4-4-2) moved into a three-way tie atop the Western Conference standings.

Columbus, meanwhile, lost its second consecutive game after compiling a seven-match unbeaten streak. The Crew (6-3-1) have failed to score in their last three games.

Chivas recorded its second shutout of the season.

Flores scored his third goal of the season in the 20th minute, while Marsch collected his fourth just one minute later. In the 22nd minute, the game changed again in Chivas? favor as Crew defender Danny O?Rourke was ejected.

Chivas again received a boost from the teenage Flores. The winner of the 2007 Sueno MLS competition, an open tryout that drew some 2,000 hopefuls, Flores earned his second consecutive start. The 18-year-old scored his first career goal on May 17 against DC United and also scored at Colorado on May 24

The day before, he signed with the team that helped propel him to stardom in 1996. More than a decade after leaving the Argos for the fame and fortune of the NFL, Vanderjagt was thrilled to be back.

?Toronto was the front-runner, regardless of what NFL team called,? said Vanderjagt, who won back-to-back Grey Cup championships in his only two full CFL seasons. ?I really wanted to come to Toronto, more than anything else.?

Vanderjagt wasn?t ready to leave the sport despite an ignominious departure from the NFL in November 2006. He was cut from the Dallas Cowboys after missing a pair of field goals against the Colts.

?When you fish and golf enough and you?re only 38 years old and you feel you can still do it,? Vanderjagt said. ?I miss the area and I miss my family and friends. It became a good opportunity, assuming Toronto wanted me, to be able to kick for a few more years.?

Vanderjagt led the NFL in scoring in 1999 and kicked 42 consecutive field goals in 2003-04, the longest streak in league history. Vanderjagt made 86.5 per cent of his field goals?tops in the NFL among kickers with at least 100 attempts?and made the Pro Bowl in 2004.

Vanderjagt also lashed out at head coach Tony Dungy and quarterback Peyton Manning following a 41-0 playoff loss to the New York Jets in 2002.