CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs fired manager Dale Sveum after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years, ending a two-year run that produced more losses than any other in the team's cursed history.

Sveum's dismissal likely will ramp up speculation surrounding the status of Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a Peoria, Ill., native who played college ball at nearby Northwestern. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein expects to complete the search process by early November.

NEW YORK — The grievance to overturn Alex Rodriguez's 211-game suspension began before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.The New York Yankees third baseman was wearing a business suit and accompanied by lawyers when he arrived for the session at Major League Baseball's headquarters in midtown Manhattan.The union argues the discipline is without just cause and is excessive. If the case doesn't settle, a decision by Horowitz is expected this winter.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Vince Wilfork was pursuing a play when he planted his right foot, dropped to the ground and probably ended his season.“It doesn't look too good for Vince,” New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday on WEEI radio. “I think he's got a pretty serious injury and it's probably unlikely that he'll be able to play again this year.”The Boston Globe reported that the star defensive tackle tore his right Achilles tendon in Sunday's 30-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

CLEVELAND — Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar has pleaded not guilty to drunken-driving charges.Bedford Municipal Court clerk Thomas Day says Kosar's attorney sent the not guilty plea on Kosar's behalf Monday. A Dec. 9 pretrial hearing has been scheduled.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut football coach Paul Pasqualoni was fired Monday, with his team 0-4 and coming off a 41-12 loss at Buffalo.Athletic director Warde Manuel announced the dismissal two days after the latest defeat. Pasqualoni, in his third season at UConn, finishes with a 10-18 record.