WORLD TOP SPORTS

Authorities say a paparazzo has crashed his bicycle into actress Anne Hathaway's car in West Hollywood. No one was seriously injured.

Considered one way, Charles Gibson 's career in TV news seems to be a model of stability: 34 years logged with one employer, ABC. There, he did his job well and rose to the top echelon of his profession, forming a firm bond with his viewers and offering his gracious signoff, "I hope you had a good day." On the other hand, Gibson, who Friday retires from the "World News" anchor desk and from ABC as a full-time employee, is bowing out as more than an admired network news star. At 66, he's a proven utility player, game to handle a range of positions and scramble to the rescue when needed. It was in 1975 that Gibson joined ABC News, where he was named White House correspondent a year later. After numerous other assignments, he began a long stretch as co-anchor of "Good Morning America" in 1987, then left in 1998 to serve as a co-anchor of the "Primetime Thursday" newsmagazine for six years. This might seem like a steady-as-he-goes career climb. But in 1999, less than a year after exiting "GMA" for prime-time prominence, Gibson was summoned back for supplementary service in the morning-show trenches. He and ABC News colleague Diane Sawyer were good soldiers and resumed setting their alarm clocks for the middle of the night. Their first morning together they were chipper as they greeted their audience: "Hi, I'm Diane Sawyer from Louisville, Ky. — the new kid on the block." "And I'm Charles Gibson, originally from Evanston, Ill. I hope you remember the old kid on the block." Their mandate: to stanch the ratings hemorrhage at "GMA" during Gibson's brief time away. The chemistry between them worked, and what was conceived as stopgap triage continued for more than seven years. Then Gibson announced his departure for a second time. Demonstrating his versatility that final week on "GMA," he reported on terrorists and politicians. He also furnished his audience with another kind of news flash: You can potty train your toddler in just 24 hours. But Gibson was already involved in another mission for ABC News.A year earlier, in 2005, "World News" anchor Peter Jennings died from lung cancer. Then, early in 2006, Jennings' co-successors were both forced to give up their roles at the anchor desk: Bob Woodruff was gravely injured on assignment in Iraq, and Elizabeth Vargas was dealing with a difficult pregnancy. Again, the network turned to Gibson. For several weeks, he even did double duty. There he was, at the crack of dawn on "GMA," then at dinner time on "World News."By July 2006, he was finally free to concentrate on "World News" while serving, at last, as the face of ABC News. Since then, he has led "World News" in its spirited battle with customary ratings champ Brian Williams at NBC's "Nightly News" as well as Katie Couric, who in a whirlwind of publicity arrived at "The CBS Evening News" shortly after Gibson's "World News" induction, only to languish in third place. It is this high office that Gibson is vacating after Friday's "World News" broadcast. In an orderly and low-key passing of the torch, Sawyer will replace him Monday at the "World News" anchor desk. Meanwhile, in Gibson's new life of much-earned retirement, he presumably will still be hoping viewers tuned to "World News" have "had a good day."

Alex Rodriguez is all set to start his winter workouts.The New York Yankees star found out this week that his surgically repaired right hip is holding up fine.

"Great news," he said Thursday. Rodriguez had surgery last March for torn cartilage and missed the first month of the season. At the time, Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the operation, thought Rodriguez would need a more extensive procedure in the offseason. But Philippon recently examined Rodriguez, and an MRI test helped show the three-time MVP had properly healed. The doctor told A-Rod that he was A-OK on Monday. Otherwise, Rodriguez probably would've been "having surgery today," he said at a Yankee Stadium news conference to formally introduce Curtis Granderson. Rodriguez was the Yankees' top hitter in the postseason, batting .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs as they won the World Series. He had 30 homers and 100 RBIs during his injury-shortened regular season. Philippon checked Rodriguez during the first round of the playoffs and liked what he saw. "I have to say, I'm impressed with his progression and the way the season went," Philippon said then. "I wouldn't say I'm surprised because you're dealing with a world-class athlete who has a lot of discipline." Rodriguez said he threw Wednesday for the first time this offseason and could start hitting anytime he wanted. The All-Star third baseman said he was eager to begin his full winter conditioning program. The Yankees gave Rodriguez a regular day of rest last season, but he said didn't anticipate needing the same breaks next year. As for occasionally taking a day to be the DH, he said that would be fine "once a month."