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NATION
BASEBALL
Ex-Giant Dusty Rhodes dead at 82
LAS VEGAS — Dusty Rhodes, who helped the Giants win their last World Series title in 1954, has died. He was 82.
Rhodes died Wednesday of cardiopulmonary arrest at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas, the Clark County coroner’s office said Thursday. He lived in Henderson.
Rhodes had heart trouble and was on the way to his doctor for a checkup, according to Frank Turco, a cousin of Rhodes’ wife, Gloria.
Born James Lamar Rhodes in Mathews, Ala., Rhodes played with the New York Giants from 1952-57, then appeared in 54 games for the San Francisco Giants in 1959. He had a .253 career average, 54 homers and 207 RBIs.
“He didn’t miss a beat in life. He had good times. He liked to live,” Turco said. “And the results of those things take a toll on you. But he was a happy guy until the day he died.”
Rhodes was 4 for 6 with two home runs in the 1954 World Series, when the Giants swept the Cleveland Indians.
NASCAR
Long’s record suspension reduced
NASCAR driver Carl Long’s suspension has been reduced from a record 12 to eight races, but his record $200,000 fine remains.
National Stock Car Racing commissioner Charles Strang heard Long’s final appeal Monday in Chicago. He announced the reduced suspension Wednesday.
Long, a part-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, was penalized for having an oversized engine at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May. Long and his wife, car owner DeeDee Long, were suspended 12 races and docked 200 points. Crew chief Charles Swing was fined $200,000.
Long appealed in hopes of leniency for his low-budget team. He got some relief, but the fine could keep him from racing again.