Obie says goodbye to CFL

HAMILTON, Ont. -- He came to Canada in 1963 hoping to make the Ottawa Rough Riders as a quarterback and defensive back.

Fifty years later, Bob O'Billovich is leaving the CFL.

The 72-year-old native of Butte, Mont., announced his retirement Monday at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' business office. The man affectionately known as "Obie" spent the last five seasons with the Ticats -- four as GM before being promoted to vice-president of football operations in 2012.

"Little did I know when I joined the Ottawa Rough Riders this would be the beginning of a 50-year relationship with the CFL," O'Billovich said. "I had no idea how it was to all work out.

"I know in this computer up here (O'Billovich's head) there's a lot of memories, thoughts and people who, along the way, made it such an enjoyable experience."

O'Billovich leaves with one regret.

"I was really hoping when this day came it would be after we had brought Hamilton its 16th Grey Cup," he said.

McCallum back with Leos

VANCOUVER -- B.C. Lions kicker Paul McCallum will return for his 21st season in the Canadian Football League.

McCallum, who was set to enter the option year of his current deal, has signed a contract extension with the Lions.

"Paul's consistency has been the hallmark of his illustrious career and I'm pleased to have him remain a part of the club," Lions general manager Wally Buono said Monday in a release.

McCallum played all 18 regular-season games for the Lions in 2012. The Vancouver native was successful on 44 of 52 field-goal attempts.

"Special teams is a huge part of our success as a club and much of that success is a result of Paul's efforts," said head coach Mike Benevides.

A's, Astros swing deal

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics have acquired infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Fernando Rodriguez from the Houston Astros for first baseman Chris Carter and two minor leaguers.

Right-hander Brad Peacock and catcher Max Stassi also went to Houston in Monday's deal.

Lowrie batted .244 with 16 homers and 42 RBI in 97 games with Houston, missing two months with ankle and thumb injuries. The Astros got rid of his $2.4 million salary for this season and will likely have the lowest payroll in the majors in 2013.

Rodriguez went 2-10 with a 5.37 ERA in 71 relief appearances last year with 78 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings.

Carter batted .239 with 16 homers and 39 RBI in 67 games with Oakland last year, platooning at first base.

Yanks vow to support A-Rod

NEW YORK -- Sitting on a stage with their manager and GM during a fundraiser, Mariano Rivera and Mark Teixeira vowed to welcome Alex Rodriguez back to the New York Yankees following the latest drug allegations against the New York Yankees star.

Rodriguez is recovering from hip surgery expected to sideline him until at least the all-star break. The Miami New Times reported last week Rodriguez is included in records the paper claims show he bought performance-enhancing drugs from a defunct Florida anti-aging clinic. Rodriguez denied the charges.

"We have to embrace him. He's our teammate," Rivera said.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team will wait for Major League Baseball to determine the truthfullness of the allegations, and manager Joe Girardi said there's no way to tell whether the third baseman will regain his offensive production following him surgery.

-- from the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 5, 2013 C6