ON THE SIDELINES : Jury Allows Woman to Sue Winfield

HOUSTON —  A jury decided that outfielder Dave Winfield’s live-in relationship with the mother of his 6-year-old daughter was a common-law marriage, opening the door to divorce and property proceedings.

The verdict could force the New York Yankee slugger to pay the woman half his income of the last seven years.

The jury Wednesday voted 10 to 2 in favor of Sandra Renfro, a 34-year-old Houston flight attendant who said she and Winfield lived as husband and wife from 1982 to 1985. Winfield married another woman in a formal ceremony in 1988. A divorce hearing is set for July 10.

Winfield did not dispute fathering the child but denied that he ever intended to marry Renfro. He testified he has been paying $1,400 monthly child support and provided a condominium for Renfro and his daughter. Winfield, who has been out all season because of a back injury, left the courtroom after the verdict without commenting.

Tom Alexander, Winfield’s lawyer, said he will appeal.