Super Bowl most-watched program ever

NEW YORK (AP)—The New Orleans Saints’ victory over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of “M-A-S-H” to become the most-watched program in U.S. television history, the Nielsen Co. said Monday.

Compelling story lines involving the city of New Orleans and its ongoing recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the attempt at a second Super Bowl ring for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning propelled the viewership. Football ratings have been strong all season

LAGUNA NIGEL, Calif. (AP)—The ball Alex Rodriguez hit for his 500th home run has sold at auction for $103,579.

SCP Auctions said Thursday the buyer decided to remain anonymous.

The ball, hit off Kansas City pitcher Kyle Davies, was recovered by a college student at the old Yankee Stadium on Aug. 4, 2007.

MILWAUKEE (AP)—The Brewers are erecting a statue of baseball commissioner Bud Selig outside Miller Park and will unveil it on Aug. 24.

Selig headed a group that bought the Seattle Pilots in bankruptcy court in 1970, moved the franchise to Milwaukee and renamed it the Brewers. He became acting commissioner in 1992 and took the job full-time six years later, turning control of the team over to his daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb. The Selig family sold the team to a group headed by Mark Attanasio in 2005.