Briefly

BASEBALL

- The Colorado Rockies upgraded their pitching staff, agreeing toa $51.5 million, five-year contract with Denny Neagle. It givesNeagle the seventh-highest average salary among pitchers, trailingonly Roger Clemens ($15.45 million), Kevin Brown ($15 million), MikeMussina ($14.75 million), Randy Johnson ($13.1 million), PedroMartinez ($12.5 million) and Greg Maddux ($11.5 million).

Neagle has compiled a 76-39 record and 3.69 ERA the past fiveseasons, including 7-7 with a 5.81 ERA in 15 starts for the New YorkYankees as they won their third straight World Series title.

- Jeff Nelson, who was traded by Seattle to the New York Yankeesfive years ago, returned to the Mariners when he agreed to a three-year contract worth between $10.5 million and $11 million.

In New York, the right-hander earned four World Series rings.

Nelson was 8-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 73 games with the Yankees lastseason.

AUTO RACING

- Joseph F. Heitzler, a former television executive, has beenchosen the new president and chief executive coordinator ofChampionship Auto Racing Teams.

Heitzler, 56, replaces former driver Bobby Rahal, who had servedas interim president since June 16, following the resignation ofAndrew Craig.

FOOTBALL

- Miami (Fla.) linebacker Dan Morgan won the Bronko NagurskiTrophy as the nation's top defensive player.

The award is given annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club andthe Football Writers Association of America.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Morgan helped lead the Hurricanes to a 10-1 season and a Sugar Bowl berth. Morgan holds the school record forcareer tackles with 507 and is the only player in school history torecord more than 100 tackles in four consecutive seasons.

Morgan finished the regular season with 123 tackles, three sacks,two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

The other finalists were North Carolina State linebacker LevarFisher, Missouri defensive end Justin Smith, Tennessee defensivetackle John Henderson and California defensive end Andre Carter.

GOLF

- AtLa Quinta, Calif., Australian Stephen Allan closed with a 4-under 68, his sixth consecutive round in the 60s, to win theQualifying Tournament and earn full-exempt status on the PGA Tournext year.

Allan was among 36 players - the lowest number since 1981 - toearn their tour cards. Among the qualifiers are former PGA winnersKeith Clearwater, Fred Wadsworth and Per-Ulrik Johansson, a five-time winner in Europe.