Brenly’s Deal Extended

The Arizona Diamondbacks have extended the contract of Manager Bob Brenly through the 2004 season.

The former catcher and television announcer led the Diamondbacks to the 2001 World Series title, becoming the first manager to win the championship in his first season since Ralph Houk of the New York Yankees in 1961. Arizona repeated as NL West champions in Brenly’s second season.

Brenly, 49, has a 190-134 record in his two seasons. He was a television analyst for the Diamondbacks and the Fox Network when he was chosen by owner Jerry Colangelo to replace Buck Showalter in 2001.

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After sitting out the 2002 season, 40-year-old David Cone has won a spot in the New York Mets’ rotation and will make his first major league start in 18 months Friday night at Shea Stadium against the Montreal Expos.

The right-hander went 1-0 with a 4.40 earned-run average in five spring training appearances, including two starts. Opponents batted only .176 against him and he struck out 12 in 14 1/3 innings.

Cone’s most impressive outing was his last one, when he pitched one-hit ball for five scoreless innings against the Dodgers last Tuesday. He hasn’t pitched in a major league game since Oct. 6, 2001, when he went eight innings to help Boston beat Baltimore.