Pro baseball

SALE OF CUBS COMPLETE: The $845 million sale of the Cubs, Wrigley Field and other assets from the Tribune Co. to the Ricketts family was completed Tuesday, more than 2.5 years after the baseball franchise was put on the market.

The family of billionaire Joe Ricketts, the founder of Omaha, Neb.-based TD Ameritrade, takes a 95 percent controlling interest in the baseball franchise, its storied ballpark and 25 percent of Comcast SportsNet, which broadcasts many Cubs games.

After taxes and fees, Chicago-based Tribune expects to reap about $740 million from the deal. Family members Pete, Tom, Laura and Todd Ricketts will control the team as its board of directors.

RAILCATS SIGN TWO PITCHERS: The RailCats opened the 2010 signing period by picking up a pair of rookie pitchers Tuesday.

The team agreed to terms with Andy Paulun, a lefty whose college career at Spring Arbor in Michigan included a 6-2 record and 3.65 ERA last season, and J.J. Potrikus, a reliever who had nine saves last season for Division III Cortland (N.Y.) State.

Pro basketball

CELTICS SPOIL CAVS' HOME OPENER: Paul Pierce scored 23 points, Ray Allen 16 and Kevin Garnett 13 in his first regular-season game since last March as the Boston Celtics beat Cleveland 95-89 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener, spoiling the hyped debut of the Cavaliers with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

Pierce made two crucial jumpers and two free throws in the final 1:03 to pace the Celtics. Rasheed Wallace, added as a free agent during the offseason, had 12 points.

James scored 38 and O'Neal added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

DERRICK ROSE TO PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE CHAT: Adidas and Eastbay have partnered to host a live online chat with Bulls guard Derrick Rose at 6 p.m. today. Fans will have the opportunity to ask the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year questions and view his live responses via video at EastBay.com/adidas.

Pro tennis

AGASSI ADMITS METH USE: Andre Agassi's upcoming autobiography contains an admission that he used crystal meth in 1997 and lied to tennis authorities when he failed a drug test -- a result that was thrown out after he said he "unwittingly" took the substance.

According to an excerpt of the autobiography posted on The Times of London Web site Tuesday, Agassi writes that he sent a letter to the ATP tour to explain the positive test, saying he accidentally drank from a soda spiked with meth by his assistant.

Agassi writes: "The ATP reviewed the case -- and threw it out."

Women's basketball

VU TABBED FOR SIXTH IN HORIZON LEAGUE: Valparaiso University's women's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in the Horizon League's 2009-10 preseason poll.

Sixteenth-year head coach Keith Freeman returns eight letter-winners, including two starters from last year's team, which went 16-14 overall and 10-8 in the Horizon League, placing fourth.

The Crusaders tallied 145 points in the preseason poll to place sixth, 10 behind Milwaukee and 15 behind UIC.

Green Bay was picked to win the league crown for the 12th straight season, followed by Cleveland State and Butler.

Valparaiso will host Indianapolis at 1:35 p.m. Sunday to start the short exhibition season, with the game carried live on the Horizon League Network. The regular season begins Nov. 14 against Indiana Tech.

College bowling

VU'S CORTESE NAMED TOURNEY MVP: Valparaiso University bowler Natalie Cortese was named the MVP of last weekend's Greater Ozark Invitational. She posted a tournament-best 224 average in Saturday's action.

Prep golf

KOUGARS COACH STEPS DOWN: DJ Sterrett has stepped down from his post as Kankakee Valley golf coach after four seasons.

In his first season at the helm of the Kougars' boys team, K.V. advanced to the regional. In 2007 his girls team was undefeated before the conference meet.

Although he had numerous teams and individuals advance out of the sectional, Sterrett's squads never were unable to capture an outright sectional crown.

Around the horn

The Chesterton athletic department is selling tickets for Friday's sectional semifinal game against Portage. The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, and the cost is $5. ... The Lake Central athletic department will be selling boys soccer state finals tickets in the athletic office today, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The athletic department will be selling only a season pass for $12. A session ticket for $8 may be purchased at the gate. ... ... Marian Catholic football coach Dave Mattio was named the East Suburban Catholic Conference coach of the year. Spartans Nolan Berens, Austin Guaccio and Dan Vargas made the All-ESCC team. ... Marian Catholic's Class 7A playoff game against Bogan is 7 p.m. Friday at Hanson Stadium. ... Crete-Monee will host Julian at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 6A playoff game. ... Mt. Carmel will play Simeon at 7 p.m. Saturday at Gately Stadium in a Class 8A playoff game.