Sports briefs

BASEBALL

Rogers now highest-paid foreign player in the KBO

Former major league pitcher Esmil Rogers became the highest-paid foreign player in the Korea Baseball Organization after signing a one-year contract worth $1.9 million with the Hanwha Eagles.

The Eagles said on Wednesday that they re-signed Rogers with a deal that gives the 30-year-old Dominican a $1.7 million salary and a $200,000 signing bonus.

The value of Roger’s contract exceeds the $1.5 million deal that the Doosan Bears signed with American pitcher Dustin Nippert for this year.

Rogers joined the Eagles in August as a replacement for Shane Youman, signing a deal worth $700,000. The right-hander finished the season with six wins and two losses, marking a 2.97 ERA with 60 strikeouts. He had three complete-game shutouts in 10 games.

After his impressive season, Rogers was reportedly wanted by Japanese clubs, but will stay with the Daejeon-based Eagles. Before coming to the KBO, Rogers played with the New York Yankees, going 1-1 with a 6.27 ERA in 18 games.

Rogers, who also played with Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays, has a 19-22 win-loss record and a 5.59 ERA in 210 appearances in the majors.

Meanwhile, the Eagles announced that they have signed former Doosan Bears relief pitcher Lee Jae-woo. By Joo Kyung-don

BASKETBALL

In last game, Kobe’s Lakers fall to the Philadelphia 76ers

Kobe Bryant won over the fans. He just couldn’t beat the previously winless Philadelphia 76ers.

With the spotlight on Bryant during the final game of his career in his hometown, the Sixers stole the show and defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91 on Tuesday night for their first victory of the season.

The Sixers had lost their first 18 games, and 28 overall dating to last season - the longest skid in the history of major professional sports in the United States. But they remained tied for the worst start in NBA history with the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets, who also opened 0-18.

It was the first win for the Sixers since March 25 at Denver.

Bryant, who will end his 20-year career this season, opened the first leg of his farewell tour in his hometown and was feted with the kind of reverence and gratitude normally reserved for a Sixers great.

He buried a 3-pointer off the opening tip and hit another 3 on the next possession. Bryant made it 3 for 3 and had the Philly crowd chanting “M-V-P!” as he turned back the clock to his championship form. He scored 20 points on 7-of-26 shooting and made four 3s. AP