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In this 1974 file photo, Cleveland Indians baseball player Oscar Gamble poses. Gamble, an outfielder who hit 200 home runs over 17 major league seasons, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, of a rare tumor of the jaw. He was 68. (AP Photo/RHH, File) NY192
In this 1974 file photo, Cleveland Indians baseball player Oscar Gamble poses. Gamble, an outfielder who hit 200 home runs over 17 major league seasons, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, of a rare tumor of the jaw. He was 68. (AP Photo/RHH, File) NY192
Published Jan. 31, 2018

Sports

U.S. launches investigation into corruption

U.S. prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas in a far-reaching investigation of international sports corruption, seeking new information about some of the biggest sports organizations in the world — including FIFA, the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee — as well as the people who have successfully lobbied to host top global competitions.

The Justice Department is exploring possible racketeering, money laundering and honest services fraud charges related to two track and field world championship events and the business executives who have consulted on bids for various other elite competitions, according to one of the subpoenas, which was obtained by the New York Times.

The subpoenas, delivered in January, have solicited documents, testimony and financial records dating to 2013. Since that time, the U.S. has won bids to host two major sports events: the 2021 track and field world championships, in Eugene, Ore., and the 2028 Summer Olympics, in Los Angeles. The subpoena did not explicitly refer to the Los Angeles Olympic bid.

Of particular interest to the Justice Department, according to the subpoena, is the world governing body for track and field, known as the IAAF. That federation awarded the sport's 2019 world championships to Doha, Qatar, and the 2021 event to Eugene.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York.

Baseball

Braves to remain at Disney another year

The Braves have extended their spring training agreement with Disney World through April 2019, delaying a move to Florida's Gulf Coast. Atlanta had planned to open its new $100 million complex in Sarasota County for spring training next year, but team officials said more time is needed to complete construction. That means another spring at the Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando, where the Braves have trained since 1998. Once completed, the new facility will include extended spring training for minor league teams, a Gulf Coast League team and the Fall Instructional League.

Gamble dies: Oscar Gamble, an outfielder who hit 200 home runs over 17 major-league seasons and was famous during his playing days for an Afro that spilled out of his hat, died of a rare tumor of the jaw. He was 68. His wife, Lovell Woods Gamble, said he was diagnosed with a benign tumor, ameloblastoma, about nine years ago. It became ameloblastic carcinoma in 2016. Mr. Gamble, who lived in Montgomery, Ala., entered UAB Hospital in Birmingham on Jan. 22 and died there Wednesday. A left-handed hitter known for the crouch in his batting stance, Mr. Gamble had a .265 batting average and 666 RBIs playing for seven big-league teams.

More baseball: The Diamondbacks finalized an $8.25 million, two-year contract with catcher Alex Avila. Avila, a son of Tigers general manager Al Avila, played for the Tigers and Cubs last season. … Mookie Betts beat the Red Sox in the first salary arbitration case of the year. He will get a raise from $950,000 to $10.5 million.

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ET CETERA

Soccer: Former U.S. women's team goalkeeper Hope Solo filed a complaint against the U.S. Soccer Federation with the USOC, accusing it of illegally favoring MLS at the expense of other stakeholders, including those in professional women's and amateur soccer. … Manchester United gave up a goal just 11 seconds in and was beaten 2-0 by host Tottenham in Premier League action. Manchester City beat visiting West Bromwich 3-0 to increase it's lead in the league to 15 points. … Arsenal paid a club-record fee of $80 million to sign striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.

Times wires