Team Bank

Banc One Corp. moved to expand its consumer banking presence in Texas by announcing plans Monday to acquire the state's fifth-largest bank, Team Bank, in a $782-million stock swap. The proposed deal, subject to regulatory approval, would be the largest in Texas banking since Columbus, Ohio-based Banc One entered the state in 1989 with the purchase of the failed MCorp of Dallas.

Once again, the Dodgers have turned their clubhouse into a sanctuary for a supremely talented but mercurial player no longer wanted by his longtime employer. The centerpiece of a multi-player trade with the Miami Marlins late Tuesday, three-time All-Star Hanley Ramirez joins the Dodgers with a reputation similar to that of another Ramirez who was acquired in a high-profile trade in recent years. As was the case with Manny Ramirez in 2008, Hanley Ramirez is considered one of the top talents of his generation.

TeamTennis turns a corner this week, and two thirtysomething left-handers shall lead it. Entering a second decade, TeamTennis will feature two aging superstars, 38-year-old Jimmy Connors and 34-year-old Martina Navratilova, whose sole role is to provide instant notoriety to this peculiar brand of tag-team, co-ed tennis with a history of providing great entertainment value while falling short on offering marquee names.

Bill Cosby, comedian, actor and former Temple football player, can sum up in one word what he remembers about his days as an Owls running back. "Fumbling," Cosby said. That may have been the case for his two-year career at Temple. But Cosby is not dropping the ball for Temple these days. In fact, he has been carrying it. Cosby has given the Owls a clear advantage over UCLA in the area of former-player-turned-Hollywood-personality with the EagleBank Bowl looming Dec. 29 in Washington.

When the Oakland Athletics open their season at home against the New York Yankees next month, the entire upper deck will be covered by green tarpaulins, making the Coliseum the midget of the major leagues. It may seem counterintuitive, but the A's -- who have struggled for years with low attendance -- hope that by permanently closing off about 10,000 of the stadium's most undesirable seats they will make more money by boosting demand and renewing fan loyalty.

His parents are serious Laker fans, his brother plays basketball at high-scoring U.S. International, and Cornelius Banks is ecstatic to be an Anteater. "I love it," he said. "I was sort of raised on the fast-paced game." Eyebrows were what he raised Friday--not to mention expectations--with a remarkable debut against UCLA in his first game for UC Irvine. A 6-foot-5 forward, Banks came off the bench and scored 20 points, making five of 12 three-point basket attempts.

The television in Al Coates' office -- just steps from the Mighty Ducks' dressing room at the Arrowhead Pond -- replayed the morning's news: Paul Kariya had signed with Colorado. "Yeah, today for sure, my job got harder," said Coates, the Ducks' senior vice president of business operations, hired April 7 to, among other duties, bolster season-ticket sales. "I totally understand that people will be angry.

Bill Cosby, comedian, actor and former Temple football player, can sum up in one word what he remembers about his days as an Owls running back. "Fumbling," Cosby said. That may have been the case for his two-year career at Temple. But Cosby is not dropping the ball for Temple these days. In fact, he has been carrying it. Cosby has given the Owls a clear advantage over UCLA in the area of former-player-turned-Hollywood-personality with the EagleBank Bowl looming Dec. 29 in Washington.

Once again, the Dodgers have turned their clubhouse into a sanctuary for a supremely talented but mercurial player no longer wanted by his longtime employer. The centerpiece of a multi-player trade with the Miami Marlins late Tuesday, three-time All-Star Hanley Ramirez joins the Dodgers with a reputation similar to that of another Ramirez who was acquired in a high-profile trade in recent years. As was the case with Manny Ramirez in 2008, Hanley Ramirez is considered one of the top talents of his generation.

Top Fund-Raiser: Sunwest Bank in Tustin was recently named the top fund-raiser in Orange County's 1990 March of Dimes "WalkAmerica" event. The bank's employees collected $55,000, nearly $25,000 more than the second-place team, the bank said. WalkAmerica is an annual event designed to raise money for the prevention of birth defects.

When the Oakland Athletics open their season at home against the New York Yankees next month, the entire upper deck will be covered by green tarpaulins, making the Coliseum the midget of the major leagues. It may seem counterintuitive, but the A's -- who have struggled for years with low attendance -- hope that by permanently closing off about 10,000 of the stadium's most undesirable seats they will make more money by boosting demand and renewing fan loyalty.

The television in Al Coates' office -- just steps from the Mighty Ducks' dressing room at the Arrowhead Pond -- replayed the morning's news: Paul Kariya had signed with Colorado. "Yeah, today for sure, my job got harder," said Coates, the Ducks' senior vice president of business operations, hired April 7 to, among other duties, bolster season-ticket sales. "I totally understand that people will be angry.

Banc One Corp. moved to expand its consumer banking presence in Texas by announcing plans Monday to acquire the state's fifth-largest bank, Team Bank, in a $782-million stock swap. The proposed deal, subject to regulatory approval, would be the largest in Texas banking since Columbus, Ohio-based Banc One entered the state in 1989 with the purchase of the failed MCorp of Dallas.

TeamTennis turns a corner this week, and two thirtysomething left-handers shall lead it. Entering a second decade, TeamTennis will feature two aging superstars, 38-year-old Jimmy Connors and 34-year-old Martina Navratilova, whose sole role is to provide instant notoriety to this peculiar brand of tag-team, co-ed tennis with a history of providing great entertainment value while falling short on offering marquee names.

His parents are serious Laker fans, his brother plays basketball at high-scoring U.S. International, and Cornelius Banks is ecstatic to be an Anteater. "I love it," he said. "I was sort of raised on the fast-paced game." Eyebrows were what he raised Friday--not to mention expectations--with a remarkable debut against UCLA in his first game for UC Irvine. A 6-foot-5 forward, Banks came off the bench and scored 20 points, making five of 12 three-point basket attempts.

Bank of China Names New Team: The bank appointed a new president and chairman last week in apparent preparation for major economic reforms in 1994. Wang Deyan, 63, who formerly held both posts, is retiring after a tenure of 8 1/2 years, the official Xinhua news agency said. The new president is Wang Xuebing, 41, most recently vice general manager of China Everbright Group Co., who worked 17 years in the Bank of China, including five as director of its New York branch.

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