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PRESS BOX: Cardinals' Craig ready for World Series

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and cleanup hitter Allen Craig said Sunday he is recovered from a foot injury and is ready to play.

Game 1 of the World Series between the Cardinals and Boston Red Sox is Wednesday.

Craig has not played since Sept. 4 because a left foot sprain. He said he expects to be the designated hitter in Game 1 at Boston.

Craig batted a major league-best .454 during the regular season with runners in scoring position.

The Cardinals worked out at Busch Stadium Sunday, two days after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series for the pennant.

---As expected, Adam Wainwright will be the St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher in Game 1 of the World Series, USA Today reported Sunday.

Wainwright has an excellent postseason resume. In 55 2/3 innings of work in the playoffs since 2006, he has a 2.10 ERA. During the postseason this year, he has gone at least seven innings and allowed two or fewer runs in all three starts.

The Red Sox have not announced their Game 1 starter yet, but it is expected to be lefty Jon Lester.

NBA

---Hall of Famer Bill Russell apologized for bringing a handgun to a prohibited area of a Seattle airport.

Russell, 79, had a permit to carry the handgun and was released after being cited an undisclosed amount Friday.

"Before boarding my flight from Seattle to Boston, I had accidentally left a legal firearm in my bag," Russell said in a statement Saturday. "I apologize and truly regret the mistake. I was issued a citation by the TSA, whose agents couldn't have been more thorough and professional when dealing with this. I really appreciate their efforts to keep air travel safe."

NHL

---New York Rangers goaltender Martin Biron announced his retirement, just days after being waived by the team.

Biron, 36, appeared in two games this season and went 0-1-0 with a 7.61 goals-against average and .763 save percentage.

He could have accepted an assignment to Hartford of the American Hockey League after clearing waivers, but opted to end his career instead.

---The Chicago Blackhawks announced hat forward Joakim Nordstrom was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Nordstrom, 21, scored one goal in eight games this season with the Blackhawks.