Baseball Hall of Fame enshrines 6

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Frank Thomas choked back tears, Joe Torre apologized for leaving people out of his speech and Tony La Russa said he felt uneasy.

Being enshrined in the Hall of Fame can have those effects, even on the greats.

Thomas, pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, and managers Bobby Cox, Torre and La Russa were inducted into the baseball shrine Sunday, and all paid special tribute to their families before an adoring crowd of nearly 50,000.

The 46-year old Thomas, the first player elected to the Hall who spent more than half of his time as a designated hitter, batted .301 with 521 home runs and 1,704 RBIs in a 19-year career mostly with the Chicago White Sox. He’s the only player in major league history to log seven straight seasons with a .300 average, 20 homers, 100 RBIs and 100 walks.

Ever the diplomat as a manager, Torre somehow managed to assuage the most demanding of owners in George Steinbrenner, maintaining his coolness amid all the Bronx craziness while keeping all those egos in check after taking over in 1996. The result: 10 division titles, six AL pennants and four World Series triumphs in 12 years as he helped restore the luster to baseball’s most successful franchise and resurrected his own career after three firings.

Vikings extend TE Kyle Rudolph

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kyle Rudolph hasn’t put up the biggest numbers over the first three years of his career, which is due as much to the Minnesota Vikings’ revolving door at quarterback as anything else.

The Vikings have known all along what they have in Rudolph, a big, field-stretching tight end who can be a difference-maker in the right offense with the right quarterback. So now they’re paying him like one.

Rudolph signed a five-year contract extension with the Vikings on Sunday night, a sign that the team has big plans for Rudolph in new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s offense. The deal, which was first reported by Fox Sports, is worth $36.5 million with $19.4 million guaranteed. Incentives can push the deal to $40 million.

Spain wins International Crown

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Carlota Ciganda breezed to an early victory to set the tone and Spain won all four of its singles matches to capture the inaugural International Crown.

Sweden finished second in the eight-team tournament. The top-seeded United States was among three teams eliminated Saturday, leaving five countries and 20 players to compete for the trophy.

Fifth-seeded Spain began the final round tied for second behind Japan, but Ciganda immediately gave the Spaniards a boost by beating Na Yeon Choi of South Korea 8 and 6. Beatriz Recari followed with a 3-and-2 victory over Mikaela Parmlid of Sweden, and Belen Mozo clinched the tournament title with a 3-and-2 win over Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand.

That set off an impromptu celebration on the 16th hole that began with a jubilant Recari jumping into the arms of Ciganda.

Azahara Munoz completed the sweep by beating Ai Miyazato of Japan 2 and 1.

Timbers add to Impact’s woes

MONTREAL (AP) — Diego Valeri broke a tie in the 82nd minute and the Portland Timbers held off Montreal 3-2 on Sunday night to extend the Impact’s losing streak to five games.

Maximiliano Urruti and Will Johnson also scored for Portland (6-6-9).

Andres Romero and Maxim Tissot scored for Montreal (3-12-5).

Valeri pounced on a giveaway by Mamadou Danso, the former Timbers defender making his first appearance for the Impact, and fired a shot past goalkeeper Evan Bush.

Montreal assistant coach Mauro Biello directed the Impact after coach Frank Klopas was suspended for arguing with the referee after team’s loss to Real Salt Lake on Thursday night.

FC Dallas, Whitecaps draw

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Pedro Morales scored on a penalty kick in the 53rd minute to help Vancouver tie FC Dallas.

Darren Mattocks opened the scoring for Vancouver (6-4-10) in the 11th minute with his fifth goal of the season and third in three game.

Blas Perez, off a scramble in front of the net, tied for Dallas (8-7-5) in the 29th minute, and Brazilian midfielder Michel added a goal on a penalty kick in the 39th.

Dallas is 3-0-3 in its last three games.