College football
Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno had to be prodded by his family to read the grand jury report regarding Jerry Sandusky and did not understand some of its graphic terminology, according to a new book. “Paterno,’’ by Joe Posnanski, was purchased Friday by the Associated Press in advance of its release next week. In the book, Posnanski describes a scene at Paterno’s home, two days after Sandusky had been charged with child sex abuse last November. Paterno’s family and a close adviser were trying to explain to the coach that there was a growing sentiment Paterno must have known for years about the accusations against Sandusky. The book quotes Paterno as shouting, ‘‘I'm not omniscient!’’ The book also indicates Paterno didn’t comprehend all the terms in the report, asking his son what sodomy meant. According to the book, Paterno and Sandusky were never friendly, and late in Sandusky’s tenure Paterno chose not to fire the defensive coordinator because he was so popular in the community and with fans.
Baseball
Tigers tell Martinez to target 2013
The Tigers have given up hopes of Victor Martinez coming back this season after he had offseason surgery on his left knee, and have to told the catcher/DH to stop his running program and focus on 2013 . . . Rangers righthander Ryan Dempster will miss his weekend start for personal reasons and Roy Oswalt will take his turn in the rotation Saturday.
AUTO RACING
Martin earns Sprint pole in Michigan
Mark Martin won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, posting the top qualifying speed of 199.706 miles per hour. Carl Edwards was second, followed by points leader Jimmie Johnson. It’s the fourth pole of the year for Martin . . . Montreal native Alex Tagliani, a regular in IndyCar, turned in a speed of 96.688 m.p.h. around the 15-turn, 2.7-mile layout in Montreal to win the pole for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday.
Tennis
Serena’s win streak halted at 19
Serena Williams’s 19-match win streak ended at the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, when she fell to Angelique Kerber, 6-4, 6-4, in the quarterfinals. It was the first time she had lost even a set since Wimbledon. Older sister Venus Williams reached the semifinals of a tournament for the first time this season by beating Samantha Stosur, 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4. On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro won in straight sets to set up a semifinal rematch of their bronze-medal match at the Olympics, which Del Potro won.
Soccer
Dempsey won’t play for Fulham
US international Clint Dempsey has refused to play for Premier League club Fulham and is seeking a transfer to a Champions League team. Fulham coach Martin Jol said the standoff with Dempsey had been going on for four weeks. Dempsey has 12 months left on his Fulham contract . . . The New York Red Bulls and defender Babajide Ogunbiyi agreed to part ways, the Major League Soccer team citing undisclosed concerns about the player’s physical condition.
Miscellany
Richards-Ross remains in top form
Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross edged Botswana’s Amantle Montsho to win the women’s 400 meters at the DN Gala Diamond League meet in Stockholm. Richards-Ross finished in 49.89 seconds. Other American winners were Ryan Bailey (100 meters), Michael Tinsley (400 hurdles), Dawn Harper (100 hurdles), and Charonda Williams (200 meters) . . . The WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx pounded the visiting Washington Mystics, 98-69, behind 20 points from Seimone Augustus. In other games, the San Antonio Silver Stars defeated the host Tulsa Shock, 89-79; and the Atlanta Dream beat the Chicago Sky, 86-76, in Rosemont, Ill. . . . Jessica Parratto of Dover, N.H., and Anna James led the women’s 10-meter synchro preliminaries at the US diving championships in Greensboro, N.C.