IN BRIEF
HAMPTON, Va. — Michael Vick is out of prison and headed home, broke and reviled for running a dogfighting ring, but hopeful for a second chance at his once-charmed life as a star NFL quarterback.
The suspended quarterback served 19 months in prison on the dogfighting conviction that capped one of the most astonishing falls in sports history — one that stole his wealth and popularity.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Vick deserves a second chance, but it won't be with Atlanta, which has severed ties with its former star.
Vick, who turns 29 in June, left the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., by car early Wednesday, undetected by reporters who had staked out the prison.
FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. — The wife of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Scott Schoeneweis was found dead at her home. Police said the cause of death hasn't been determined.The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said deputies found the body of 39-year-old Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis on the floor of the master bedroom in the family's suburban home shortly after noon.Authorities said her 14-year-old daughter called the sheriff's office to report that she had found her mother lying there and unresponsive.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has suspended driver Carl Long for the next 12 Sprint Cup races and fined crew chief Charles Swing $200,000, the largest penalty in the sport's history.Swing also was suspended until Aug. 18 for using an engine that was too big for NASCAR's specifications last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.Long was docked a NASCAR-record 200 points. Additionally, Swing and Long were placed on probation until Dec. 31.Car owner Danielle Long, Carl's wife, also was suspended 12 races, docked 200 owner points and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
WARSAW, Poland — Maria Sharapova routed Darya Kustova 6-2, 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the Warsaw Open in her first singles tournament since returning from shoulder surgery.The three-time Grand Slam title winner needed only 57 minutes to win.She will face eighth-seeded Alona Bondarenko, a 6-3, 6-1 winner over Marta Domachowska.