Resignations

Torii Hunter's first at-bat in Angel Stadium on Friday night was delayed by a standing ovation, which the Detroit Tigers right fielder acknowledged by waving his helmet. When Hunter took his position in the first inning, fans in the right-field bleachers rose in unison, one row of spectators holding up a large “THANK U TORII” sign. For Hunter, who hit .286 with 105 homers and 432 runs batted in during a five-year stint with the Angels in which he was also the heart and soul of the club, it wasn't just about appreciation.

A state coastal commissioner who vocally supported banning beach bonfires along a stretch of Orange County coastline has resigned under growing pressure from two state legislators. William Burke was serving as both a member of the state Coastal Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, agencies that are at odds about whether the Southern California tradition of beach bonfires should be extinguished from San Clemente to Malibu. Coastal Commission staffers have recommended that Newport Beach's proposal to rip out 60 fire pits in Balboa and Corona del Mar be denied, while the air quality board is considering a regional ban on wood-burning fire pits for health reasons.

The looming resignation of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, announced last week, may be very bad news for the prospects of good governance in Palestine. But it has the potential to inject clarity and honesty into the problems of the much-too-promised land. Fayyad's departure may help to dispel four dangerous myths that continue to distort the way different constituencies view the issues that divide the region. It's time we lay them to rest. They are: The myth of Palestinian unity Now that Fayyad is leaving, the way should be clearer for serious discussions between Hamas and Fatah about achieving reconciliation and unity.

Everybody ready for the Lakers' starting backcourt of Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks? Which means Steve Nash will not play Sunday against San Antonio. The Lakers don't have many other options for their starting guards. Kobe Bryant will miss his first game since sustaining a torn left Achilles' tendon and Nash will be sidelined a seventh game because of a strained hamstring. "He feels a little bit better today, not good enough to go [tonight]," Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni said of Nash.

The Lakers re-signed guard Andrew Goudelock on Sunday. The 24-year-old, 6-foot-2 combo guard was originally drafted by the Lakers in 2011 with the 46th overall pick. Goudelock was in the team's locker room before the Lakers' game against the San Antonio Spurs. "I got here early, around three," said Goudelock. "We went over some basic things but they said most of it is just playing. If you don't shoot, [Coach Mike D'Antoni] gets mad -- that's right up my alley. " The Lakers cut Goudelock before the season.

JERUSALEM -- Embattled Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned late Saturday after struggling for years against political rivals and lackluster public support. Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who in recent months had also clashed with Fayyad, accepted the resignation, but asked him to remain in office until a replacement is named, according to Palestinian Authority spokeswoman Nour Odeh. The departure means that a new Palestinian government, the fourth since 2007, could be formed in coming weeks.

Anaheim's city manager said that he will resign from his position in Orange County's largest city, an announcement that comes just days after the police chief announced his retirement. Bob Wingenroth will leave his post June 7, opting to return to Arizona -- where he'd lived and worked for many years -- and spend more time with his family, according to a statement released by the city Tuesday. "Life has revealed the beauty and support of our family and extended family in Arizona, and their need for us and our need for them," Wingenroth said in the statement.

Tim Pernetti resigned as the Rutgers athletic director last week in the aftermath of the Mike Rice men's basketball scandal. But he's not walking away empty-handed. Under the settlement agreement he reached with the university, Pernetti will receive nearly $1.2 million in salary in the next month even if he takes another job. That includes his base salary of $453,000 per year through June 2014 and a one-time payment of $679,000. And that's not all. The former athletic director will keep receiving his $12,000 per year car allowance through June 2014 and health insurance and pension payments through October 2015.

The Rutgers basketball scandal, one day removed from Mike Rice getting fired as coach for his abusive behavior, continued to grow Thursday with assistant coach Jimmy Martelli resigning and the university faculty and New Jersey politicians calling for the removal of Athletic Director Tim Pernetti and President Robert Barchi. Rice was fired Wednesday as public outcry gained momentum after video was released by ESPN on Tuesday showing the coach hitting, shoving, throwing basketballs at and berating his players with gay slurs.