Saturday, May 31, 2008

Posada throws in game, could rejoin Yankees soon

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Jorge Posada passed a key test in his rehab program for a sore right shoulder and could rejoin the Yankees as early as Wednesday.

New York's catcher made two strong throws to second base in an extended spring training game Saturday, the first day he was allowed to throw to the bases in a game since being sidelined on April 27.

"The second one was better than the first one," Posada said. "It felt good throwing the ball. I'm happy with it. I'm happy the way I felt."

Posada will likely play in extended spring games Monday and Tuesday, and could rejoin the Yankees after that.

"A day off [Sunday] and play again Monday," Posada said. "We'll see how it feels Monday. Probably another game Tuesday. Get back Wednesday or Thursday."

Posada went 2-for-4, including a single and a two-run double, and caught five innings in the game against Tampa Bay minor leaguers. The five-time All-Star is 8-for-22 with four walks in five extended spring games overall.


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'Aware' Pedro rejoins Mets, slated to start Tuesday

NEW YORK -- Pedro Martinez figures the New York Mets would be in much better shape if he had been around more often this season.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner rejoined the Mets on Friday and is scheduled to return to the mound Tuesday night in San Francisco for his second start of the year. He has been on the disabled list since straining his left hamstring April 1 at Florida.

"You know, when you're not winning, other things seem to come up. I'm pretty sure that if I was here, at least -- I'm not going to say the problems would have gone away -- but I would say it would have been a lot looser than it was," Martinez said. "Being a veteran and being as loose as I am, and being so noisy every day and so loud, I think that would have helped my teammates keep their cool."

[+] Enlarge'Aware' Pedro rejoins Mets, slated to start Tuesday

Tomasso DeRosa/US Presswire

Pedro Martinez throws during batting practice before Friday night's game against the Dodgers.

New York dropped to 26-27 with Friday night's 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. As the club was slumping this month, there was speculation that manager Willie Randolph would be fired. Randolph met with ownership Monday and kept his job -- at least for now.

"It's been really difficult, actually seeing my teammates struggle and seeing the team not doing so well and not being able to do anything. Especially in those critical moments when things kind of got complicated," Martinez said.

"I spoke to everybody. I kept my ears open for everybody and I also called a lot. Even though I don't let you guys see me as much, I still keep in touch with everybody and I'm fully aware of what's going on."

Martinez originally planned to join the team for a bullpen session last week in Atlanta, but he returned home to the Dominican Republic to be with his ailing father, Pablo Jaime, who has a form of brain cancer.

"He's stable. He's probably not going to get much better than he is right now," Martinez said, adding that it's very difficult to be away from his family at this time.

The 36-year-old right-hander, in the final season of a four-year contract, also reiterated that he'd like to pitch for two or three more years if he's healthy, though his family is a major factor in that decision. He also he doesn't want to go through any more extensive rehabilitation. Martinez missed most of last season following shoulder surgery.

Finally back with the Mets, Martinez thinks his presence and advice will particularly help inconsistent left-hander Oliver Perez, who is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA.

Martinez said his arm is in shape and he's confident he can go five or six innings against the Giants, perhaps pushing 100 pitches.

Wearing a headband, Martinez played catch in the outfield during batting practice Friday. He acknowledged he would have liked to make his return Sunday night at Shea Stadium "here with my fans."

After the team collapsed last September and missed the 2007 playoffs, Martinez said the Mets "owe something to the fans."

"We're due to win," he said. "We built a team to supposedly win it. I think we have the talent."

The Mets will need to open a roster spot for Martinez when he comes off the disabled list Tuesday. Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 5.33 ERA) has minor league options remaining and could be sent to Triple-A New Orleans.

Slated to start Saturday against the Dodgers, Pelfrey might be pitching to stay in the big leagues. He has lost six straight outings, though he flirted with a no-hitter May 15 against Washington.

Claudio Vargas (2-2, 4.50 ERA) is another possibility. But he would have to clear waivers before going to the minors, and he's probably pitched well enough to remain with New York.

"He's done a nice job for us," Randolph said. "He's a part of our rotation and he might stay there."

Right-handed reliever Carlos Muniz also has minor league options and could be sent back down.


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Friday, May 30, 2008

Angels activate 2B Kendrick, place Figgins on DL

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels activated second baseman Howie Kendrick on Friday and placed third baseman Chone Figgins on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season, retroactive to May 22, because of irritation in his right hamstring.

Kendrick had been sidelined for 42 games after straining his left hamstring on April 13. He had 18 hits in his first 36 at-bats before the injury.

"Just being hurt is frustrating because you want to be playing," Kendrick said. "Having to miss this much time and not be out there for this long, it's just been rough. Hopefully I can stay together and stay out on the field and help us win ballgames. That's the biggest thing."

Manager Mike Scioscia insisted that Kendrick's return to the lineup wasn't accelerated as a desperation attempt to jump-start a slumping offense that was batting .179 over the previous nine games and had produced fewer than four runs in 14 of the previous 19 contests.

"If he wasn't 100 percent, we wouldn't even consider it," Scioscia said. "We're very comfortable and he's very comfortable regarding where the hamstring is and that it's 100 percent -- and I think his actions on the field demonstrated that. So it makes more sense for us to fold him in here slowly instead of letting him keep playing in Triple-A so that he'll get acclimated quickly to major league pitching again."

The switch-hitting Figgins is batting .306 with seven RBIs in 33 games. He missed 15 games earlier this month because of a strained right hamstring and reinjured himself in his first game back from the DL on May 21 at Toronto. He sat out the next seven games before Friday's move.

"He's feeling much better, but he's not ready to run yet," Scioscia said. "Hopefully during the weekend, we'll get to the point where he can get out there and run, and that will be the first step toward getting him back into baseball activities."


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Joba makes long-awaited move to Yanks' rotation

MINNEAPOLIS -- The wait is over.

Joba Chamberlain has a spot in the New York Yankees' rotation and a date for his first start: Tuesday night against Toronto. Manager Joe Girardi said the 22-year-old will be limited to 65 or 70 pitches when he takes the mound at Yankee Stadium.

Joba makes long-awaited move to Yanks' rotation

Chamberlain

After deliberating about the decision during New York's off day Thursday and consulting with general manager Brian Cashman, Girardi said Friday he decided to keep Andy Pettitte on his regular throwing schedule and use the left-hander for Monday's series finale against the Twins.

The hard-throwing, high-energy Chamberlain said his goal is to get six innings in.

"I have a tendency to get long in counts, so I've got to be more efficient that way," he said, adding: "You're still going to see the same person. I'm going to use my emotions to my advantage. Sometimes I can let them get the most of me and try to do too much."

New York has been grooming Chamberlain for the rotation since selecting him out of the University of Nebraska with the 41st overall pick in the 2006 amateur draft. After posting a 0.38 ERA in 19 appearances last season, Chamberlain had a 2.28 ERA in 20 games out of the bullpen this year.

After throwing on the side Friday, the rookie right-hander was excited.

"I feel great. Everything is going well. Every `i' is dotted, and every 't' is crossed, so far," Chamberlain said.

There has been plenty of fanfare over his arrival so far. Last year, he was phenomenal down the stretch, striking out 34 and walking only six with 12 hits allowed in 24 innings. Team co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner was vocal earlier this year about wanting him in the rotation.

Steinbrenner doesn't have to wait any more.

The Yankees considered using Chamberlain on Monday for a road game to minimize the pressure, but they decided normal rest for Pettitte was more important.

"Eventually you have to pitch at both places," Girardi said.

As for the buzz in the Bronx?

"I don't think it probably matters what I say," Girardi said. "Every time he came out in the bullpen I think people expected him not to give up a run. Unfortunately when there's a lot of hype around a guy, it's hard to control people's expectations."


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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Church still reeling from concussion, stays home

NEW YORK -- Mets outfielder Ryan Church, who sustained his second concussion this season last week in Atlanta, remained at home Wednesday and will not rejoin the team for several days.

Church still reeling from concussion, stays home

Church

Church was injured trying to break up a double play May 20 against the Braves. He has not started a game since then but went 1-for-4 as a pinch hitter, accompanying the team on its trip to Colorado and then back to New York.

He reported not feeling well after both plane trips and the Mets said he would not play again until 48 hours after he is symptom-free.

Church missed a week in spring training when he was diagnosed with a concussion after colliding with teammate Marlon Anderson on a pop fly in an exhibition game.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya defended the team's handling of Church's injury and said he doesn't regret immediately placing the outfielder on the disabled list.

"I don't second-guess myself," Minaya told reporters, according to the New York Times. "Those things happen. We have to make those decisions on a daily basis throughout the season. A lot of guys are day to day and you ask yourself, Do you do it?"

"These things happen as far as making decisions on questions whether a guy's going to be OK or not OK on a day-to-day basis. It's part of the season."


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Report: FBI questions McCready in Clemens case

The FBI has questioned country singer Mindy McCready, who allegedly had an affair with Roger Clemens, as it investigates whether Clemens perjured himself before a congressional committee, the New York Daily News reported for Thursday's editions.

Report: FBI questions McCready in Clemens case

McCready

The Daily News earlier had reported that Clemens had a decade-long relationship with McCready. The Daily News, citing sources close to the government's investigation, reported that McCready was questioned about her relationship with Clemens. They reportedly met in 1991 when she was 15, and sometime thereafter allegedly began an affair that continued until 2006.

"She's relevant because she spent 15 years in a relationship with Roger Clemens and probably knows a lot about Roger's associates and activities," Richard Emery, one of Brian McNamee's lawyers, told the Daily News. "She may have leads to people Roger associated with that the FBI wants to follow. She could lead to a lot of probative information."

In February, the FBI opened a perjury investigation of Clemens after the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform sent a letter to the Justice Department.

The letter asked the Justice Department to look into the differing accounts of Clemens and McNamee, a former trainer to Clemens and Andy Pettitte. McNamee has said he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH numerous times from 1998 to 2001.

Clemens refuted McNamee's claims in his testimony before a congressional committee in February. Shortly after that the government requested an investigation.

Earlier this month, Clemens denied having an affair with a 15-year-old but didn't specifically address whether he had a romance with McCready when he apologized for "mistakes" he had made in his personal life.

"Even though these articles contain many false accusations and mistakes, I need to say that I have made mistakes in my personal life for which I am sorry," Clemens said in a statement issued by spokesman Patrick Dorton. "I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans. Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right."

McCready has not addressed her alleged relationship with Clemens publicly but is expected to address the issue in a film on her life and career that is scheduled to be released this summer.

Emery had earlier told the Daily News that he plans to depose McCready for a separate defamation lawsuit that Clemens has filed against McNamee.

"He brought it on by putting his reputation at issue," Emery told the Daily News. "He can't cabin off his reputation with respect to the use of steroids from the rest of his reputation."


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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Triple threat: Indians pull off rare 3-player steal

CLEVELAND -- David Dellucci was minding his own business, taking a lead off third base. Next thing he knew, he was part of baseball history.

Triple steal!

Dellucci was on the front end of the rare play Tuesday night, taking advantage of a rundown on the other side of the diamond in the Cleveland Indians' 8-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. The last triple steal in the majors came on Oct. 1, 1987, when Atlanta did it against Houston, the Elias Sports Bureau said.

On Wednesday, Dellucci still wasn't sure why he was credited with a steal of home.

"If they want to give it to me, I'll take it," he said.

The Indians held a five-run lead in the sixth when they loaded the bases -- Dellucci on third, Grady Sizemore on second and Jamey Carroll on first.

With Ben Francisco batting, White Sox pitcher Ehren Wasserman faked a throw to third and threw to first, trapping Carroll off the bag.

When Carroll briefly got caught in pickle, Dellucci broke home. First baseman Paul Konerko's throw to catcher Toby Hall was in the dirt, allowing Dellucci to score.

Official scorer Chuck Murr credited all three runners with stolen bases.

"Looking at the play, I couldn't tell, with a good throw from Konerko, if the catcher would have been able to tag Dellucci in time," Murr said.

Murr thought Konerko had a difficult play and didn't think it would have been fair to charge him with an error.

"He had to catch the ball, get the man on first in a rundown and throw against his body to the plate," Murr said. "I thought that constituted more than ordinary effort."

Dellucci relied on his instincts once the play unfolded.

"You go over that play in spring training, but you do it for the defense, not the offense," he said. "It's a timing play. Everyone has to go at the right moment. I was more lucky than anything else."

Asked if he would have been safe had Konerko made a good throw, Dellucci smiled and said, "It would have been close."

"I would have had to make a decision. Sliding was not one of my options. I would have had to lower my shoulder and try to knock the ball loose," he said.

The 34-year-old Dellucci has 41 stolen bases in his nine-year major league career, including three this season.

"The next time I get on third, I might take off again," he said.


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After 2 decades, All-Star Game back in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Commissioner Bud Selig finally got around Wednesday to announcing what the rest of baseball has known for more than a year: The Los Angeles Angels will host the 2010 All-Star Game.

The All-Stars will be at Anaheim for the first time since 1989, when Bo Jackson hit a 448-foot homer and was selected MVP. Nolan Ryan was the winning pitcher in the AL's 5-3 victory, and John Smoltz, the only player still active from that game, took the loss.

The only other All-Star game in Anaheim was in 1967, a 2-1 NL victory in 15 innings, the longest All-Star Game in history. Tony Perez hit the game-deciding home run off Catfish Hunter.

The 2010 game is scheduled for July 13.

This summer's All-Star contest is at Yankee Stadium, and St. Louis will host the 2009 game. Arizona is the expected host in 2011, Kansas City in 2012 and the New York Mets' Citi Field in 2013.

Selig said some progress has been made with Arizona and Kansas City, but no decisions made.

"We're getting there. I want to get today done, then I'll start worrying about the next couple of years," he said after a news conference at Angel Stadium.

Fans at this year's game in New York will pay lofty prices for tickets, which will go for from $150-$725 for the July 15 contest. Tickets to last year's game in San Francisco ranged from $75-$285.

Selig believes tickets for the game in Anaheim probably won't be as pricey as those in New York.

"I think each year will stand on its own, wherever you go and the area you go," he said. "It's a sensitive subject with me. "You have to have flexibility in everything, and you deal with the local club and their prices. So we adjust to that."

Talking about the choice of the Angels for the 2010 game, Selig noted the club's success at the gate and on the field in the five years that Arte Moreno has owned the team.

"Their franchise has really become a model," Selig said. "So when you look at all the confluence of factors, Anaheim became the obvious choice."

Although the Angels still are in a legal battle with Anaheim over Moreno's changing the name from Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, he thanked the city for helping to land the All-Star Game.

"As we got closer and closer, we started scrambling around. Hotel rooms, convention center, trying to get everything lined up," Moreno said.

The city is scheduled to go to state appellate court on June 20 in its fight over the 2005 name change.

Moreno said he felt he had to include Los Angeles in the name for marketing purposes.

"It's time to move on," he said.


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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tigers place Sheffield on DL with oblique strain

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Detroit Tigers placed Gary Sheffield on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an oblique strain on his left side. Gary SheffieldTigers place Sheffield on DL with oblique strain

Designated Hitter
Detroit Tigers

Profile

2008 Season StatsGMHRRBIROBPAVG3931218.344.213

Sheffield, who started Monday night's game as the designated hitter, was injured running out a grounder to shortstop in the third inning. He slowed up halfway down the line, grabbing his side, and was replaced by a pinch-hitter the next time he was due to bat in the sixth.

This is the 12th time on the DL for the 20-year veteran and nine-time All-Star, who is hitting just .213 with three homers and 12 RBIs in 39 games. It's his second trip to the DL since the Tigers obtained him from the New York Yankees in November 2006. Last season he was hampered for most of the final 10 weeks of the campaign with a sore right shoulder, an injury that shelved him for two weeks.

Sheffield, who turns 40 years old in November, is 17 home runs shy of 500. He won an NL batting title in 1992 with the San Diego Padres, and a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins in 1997. That club was managed by current Tigers skipper Jim Leyland.

The Tigers recalled first baseman Jeff Larish from Triple-A Toledo to take Sheffield's place on the roster.

The left-handed hitting Larish, 25, will be making his major league debut. He homered three times in one game for Arizona State during the 2005 College World Series -- one to left field, center and right in the leadoff spot. The Tigers picked him in the fifth round of the draft that year.


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Blalock gets cortisone shot, Millwood back Friday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Texas Rangers infielder Hank Blalock had a cortisone shot Tuesday for carpal tunnel syndrome in his right wrist.

Blalock gets cortisone shot, Millwood back Friday

Blalock

Blalock gets cortisone shot, Millwood back Friday

Millwood

Blalock originally went on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury on April 29, retroactive to April 26. He experienced soreness in the wrist last week.

"He got the injection," Rangers manager Ron Washington said Tuesday night before a game against Tampa Bay. "We'll see if the injection helps."

Washington said Blalock will need to go on a minor league rehab assignment before being activated from the DL.

In other news, right-hander Kevin Millwood is expected to make 85-to-90 pitches in his first start Friday against Oakland since being sidelined by a strained right groin. He went on the disabled list May 11.

Frank Catalanotto was in the starting lineup at first base for Tuesday's game with the Rays. He missed the previous seven games with a sore back.


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Monday, May 26, 2008

O's to skip struggling Trachsel's turn in rotation

BALTIMORE -- Steve Trachsel will again be skipped in the Baltimore Orioles' rotation, the result of his poor numbers and an off day on Thursday.

O's to skip struggling Trachsel's turn in rotation

Trachsel

Trachsel ended a 14-day layoff in unimpressive fashion Saturday, allowing nine runs in 1 2/3 innings in an 11-4 loss to Tampa Bay. He's 2-5 with an 8.82 ERA, which makes it easy for manager Dave Trembley to make the right-hander the odd man out.

"Whenever I need another fifth starter, that's the possibility that Steve Trachsel will pitch," Trembley said Monday. "I will keep all of the guys on their regular turn as best I can."

In the four-game series against Boston that begins Friday, Trembley has scheduled, in order, Daniel Cabrera, Brian Burres, Garrett Olson and Jeremy Guthrie.

At 37, Trachsel is the oldest player in a rotation built on youth. That wouldn't matter much if the 14-year veteran was pitching well, but at this point, he can't really complain about being passed over.

"It's not difficult to deal with. It is part of the game and I'll do what I have to do to contribute," Trachsel said. "Staying sharp and all that, yeah, that's the hardest part."

He tried throwing on the side before his last start, but that obviously didn't shake off the rust he accumulated while going two weeks between starts.

"That's the longest I have ever had, for sure," he said of the layoff. "I threw a lot of bullpen [sessions]. I was supposed to throw a simulated game in New York, but it was canceled due to a Yankees team picture or something."

Trembley said Trachsel would not be used as a reliever. Trachsel is willing to try pitching out of the bullpen, but all things considered, he'd rather just sit and wait for his next turn.

"I'll just kind of do whatever I can to contribute at this point," he said. "It's got to happen sooner or later, I guess. But yeah, that would be a lot more difficult I think than having time between starts."


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Blalock heads back to Texas for wrist examination

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Rangers infielder Hank Blalock, who has been taking medication for carpal tunnel syndrome in his right wrist, will return to Texas for an examination Tuesday.

Blalock heads back to Texas for wrist examination

Blalock

He will miss the three-game series against the Rays, and won't resume swinging a bat for at least a couple days.

Blalock may go out on a minor league rehab assignment before being activated from the disabled list.

"I haven't had a chance to discuss that with Hank," Rangers manager Ron Washington said Monday. "Right now, the only thing we're concerned about is when he can play."

Blalock originally went on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring injury on April 29, retroactive to April 26. He experienced soreness in the wrist last week.


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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Mets' Randolph focused on winning, not job status

DENVER -- Even with his team on a five-game losing streak, Mets manager Willie Randolph was able to joke about his job status.

General manager Omar Minaya made the holiday weekend trip to Colorado, leading to speculation that Randolph is under evaluation and his job could be in jeopardy.

"I thought I saw him in the back sharpening his machete," Randolph said before Saturday's 9-2 win against the Rockies. "I don't know if that makes me feel too good. He saw me coming, kind of slipped it in his back pocket."

Minaya and Randolph haven't had any significant conversations this weekend outside of idle small talk.

"Obviously, when all this stuff is going on around me, when he shows up, 'Why is he here?'" Randolph said. "I'm comfortable around Omar and I told him he should come on more road trips, be around the team. I don't feel any different about him being here."

Randolph and Mets executives planned to meet soon to review the team's play a quarter of the way through the season. Following a 13-inning loss in which Billy Wagner blew a ninth-inning lead, New York began Saturday with a 22-24 record, 4½ games back of NL East-leading Florida.

"We need to play better," Randolph said. "That's the most important thing to me."

Minaya said Friday night that he came to Denver to voice his support of Randolph.

"I'm just so hell bent on winning the game right now, whether Omar is here or not -- whether they support me or not," Randolph said. "I'll go down to the last day trying to win a ballgame. That's why I'm here, that's why I came here. A lot of stuff is out of my hands."

All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes, picked off second base following his 10th-inning double Friday, stuck up for his manager on Saturday.

"He's one of the best guys in the game," Reyes said. "I love Willie. We are the ones to play. He don't play. He has to make the decisions. We're the ones performing in the field."

Randolph understands his shortstop's loyalty. He felt the same way when rumors swirled around Billy Martin when they were together on the Yankees.

"As a player, you feel for your manager," Randolph said. "If something did happen, you feel a little responsible for it. I always tell my players the only thing they can control is to go out and play the game."

The Mets have had their fair share of injuries, losing Pedro Martinez (strained left hamstring), Orlando Hernandez (foot) and Moises Alou (strained left calf).

Ryan Church is day to day with a mild concussion and Marlon Anderson went on the disabled list Saturday with a strained left hamstring. In his place, New York purchased the contract of infielder/outfielder Nick Evans from Double-A Binghamton.

Randolph said he hasn't lost sleep -- even after Wagner gave up his first earned run of the season, a tying homer to Matt Holliday.

"It didn't really bother me like some games would, where you can't sleep," Randolph said. "There were some good things that came out of last night -- just didn't close the deal."

Randolph, the Mets' first black manager, created a stir with comments he made that appeared Monday in The Record of Hackensack, N.J. He mentioned that race may have been a factor when he questioned the way he has been presented by SNY, the team's TV network, and the criticism he's received in the media. He has since apologized.

"It shouldn't have happened," Randolph said. "I'm going to leave it like that. I'm at peace and fine with what I went through this week because I know in my heart it didn't happen that way. So, you deal with it and kind of stay focused on what you're doing and keep going."

Speaking to a few reporters before the Yankees played Seattle, Reggie Jackson said he had tried getting in touch with Randolph to offer support.

Jackson didn't give Randolph a free pass for the way he brought up the subject of race, but said it's an important issue to discuss. He also lamented the lack of diversity in the commissioner's office and among team executives.

Randolph thinks the team is one good stretch away from ending all the speculation over him.

"We're going through a little lull right now," he said. "But another month or so this could be a distant memory."


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Umpire struck in head by bat in Astros-Phils game

HOUSTON -- The Philadelphia-Houston game was delayed on Sunday when plate umpire Jerry Crawford was struck in the head by Carlos Lee's bat.

Lee fouled off a 2-2 pitch from Cole Hamels in the first inning and his bat smacked Crawford on the follow-through. Crawford took off his helmet and immediately jogged to the Astros dugout, where trainers Dave Labossiere and Rex Jones met him on the steps.

Crawford had a bloody gash on the left side of his head and Labossiere put a white towel over it before leading Crawford into the Astros clubhouse.

He was taken to a hospital for tests but didn't need stitches and was back at the ballpark before the game ended with an ice pack on his head.

After a 12-minute delay, first-base umpire Rob Drake took over behind the plate and the game resumed.

On the second pitch after the delay, Lee hit a three-run homer to put the Astros up 3-0.


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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Report: Angels will host All-Star Game in 2010

The Los Angeles Angels have been awarded the 2010 All-Star Game, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing three sources not authorized to speak publicly ahead of an official announcement by Major League Baseball.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is expected to make an official announcement on Wednesday, according to the report. It will be the first time since 1989 that the game has been played in Southern California and the third time that the Angels have hosted the event.

"The city will be getting ready for it -- restaurants, businesses, everything," outfielder Torii Hunter said before Friday's game against the White Sox in Chicago, according to The Associated Press. "It's exciting. How much excitement can you have out there? Can you have anymore than what you already have?"

Dodger Stadium has hosted the All-Star Game once, in 1980, while Angels Stadium also hosted the game in 1967.

The 1989 game was highlighted by former Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan getting the win and Bo Jackson hitting a 448-foot home run and being named the game's most valuable player. Losing pitcher John Smoltz is the only active player remaining from that game.

"That was unreal," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, an All-Star catcher for the Dodgers that year, according to The AP. "I was making my way down to the bullpen, and all of a sudden, the first pitch is made and he crushed it. It was way up there in center field."

According to the report, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are planning renovations and improvements at Dodger Stadium to coincide with its 50th anniversary in 2012, are aiming at landing the 2013 game.

The Dodgers are expected to be awarded the finals of next year's World Baseball Classic, but Selig does not plan to make any announcement about the WBC on Wednesday, the Times reported.


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Dodgers bring up Kershaw, send down Loaiza

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers purchased the contract of standout prospect Clayton Kershaw from Double-A Jacksonville on Saturday, and the 20-year-old left-hander is expected to make his big-league debut Sunday in the finale of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Dodgers also designated Esteban Loaiza for assignment after activating the right-hander from the 15-day disabled list, and they optioned right-handed reliever Yhency Brazoban to their Triple-A Las Vegas farm club.

Kershaw, a first-round draft pick two years ago, was pulled from a start at Carolina after one inning Thursday night. He allowed only one run and struck out 19 in 14 innings for the Dodgers during spring training, and was 0-3 with a 2.28 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings with Jacksonville.

The 36-year-old Loaiza was 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA in seven games this year, three of them starts. He was placed on the disabled list May 7 retroactive to three days earlier because of tightness in his shoulder blade.

The Dodgers claimed Loaiza on waivers from the Oakland Athletics last August, assuming the $1.17 million he was owned for the rest of the 2007 season as well as $6.5 million salary for this year. Loaiza also has a $7.5 million club option for next year with a $375,000 buyout.

The Dodgers have 10 days to trade Loaiza, place him on unconditional release waivers or send him outright to the minors.

Los Angeles has been without a permanent fifth starter all season. They began a streak of 17 games in as many days Friday, meaning they'll need a fifth starter three times before their next day off June 9.

Brazoban appeared in two games for the Dodgers since being recalled from Las Vegas earlier this month, allowing two runs in three innings.


Livorno bring back Orsi
Rangers place Millwood on 15-day disabled list

Friday, May 23, 2008

Cox 'having fun' with Braves, agrees to extension

ATLANTA -- Bobby Cox, saying he's still having fun with the game, has agreed to a one-year contract extension to manage the Atlanta Braves through 2009.

Cox said Friday he began talking with general manager Frank Wren about the extension after last season.

"Recently [Wren] said let's get a deal done, and we got a deal done very quickly and simply and I'm thrilled to be back," Cox said.

Cox, 67, is the winningest manager in franchise history. He is in his 27th season as a manager, including 23 years with the Braves, and has said in recent years he has started to think about retirement.

But he said Friday he's not ready to leave the game.

"I'm certainly going to end my career here," Cox said. "There's no doubt about that now. I'm happy. We've got great ballplayers. They're fun to be around and it's a fun team to be a part of. If it wasn't fun, you should get out of the game, but I'm still having fun."

Cox led the Braves to 14 straight division championships from 1991-2005, including the 1995 World Series championship.

"It's just year to year and we'll see," Cox said of possibly managing after 2009. "I still have a great passion for the contest of baseball and it's still a lot of fun."

Cox said there was no discussion of extending the contract more than one year.

"Year to year is perfect," he said. "[Wren] did say I want you here while I'm here."

Wren said he's excited that "one of the most respected managers in all of baseball will again be managing our club in 2009."


Roenick agrees to return to Sharks
Nedved pens Juve extension
Braves’ Smoltz complains of shoulder discomfort
Royals’ Soria agrees to 3-year contract extension

Brewers shut down Gagne with shoulder tendinitis

PITTSBURGH -- Milwaukee Brewers closer Eric Gagne was diagnosed Thursday with rotator cuff tendinitis and is out indefinitely, although he will rejoin the team Friday in Washington.

Brewers shut down Gagne with shoulder tendinitis

Gagne

After being examined in Milwaukee by team physician William Raasch, the right-handed Gagne received a cortisone injection and was told not to throw for three days. After that, Gagne will be re-examined and will not throw again until his shoulder feels better.

The Brewers don't plan to put him on the disabled list unless the shoulder does not improve in the near future, but that could change if they must use most of their bullpen in any game this weekend.

Gagne was lifted during the ninth inning of the Brewers' 7-2 win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night with right shoulder stiffness, allowing Jason Bay's two-run home run, walking two and throwing 26 pitches in his first appearance in a week.

After that game, Gagne said there was no structural damage in the shoulder and that the problem in his shoulder developed during the preceding week when he threw constantly between games to work out problems in his delivery.

With Gagne out, former Pirates reliever Salomon Torres will get most of the Brewers' save opportunities. He lost his job as the Pirates' closer after blowing six of 18 save opportunities last season.

"Our bullpen is what is it right now," manager Ned Yost said. "I'm happy with where it is."

The 32-year-old Gagne, signed to a $10 million, one-year contract to shore up what was an unsteady Brewers bullpen, is 1-2 with a 6.98 ERA and 10 saves in 15 opportunities. He was taken out of the closer's job briefly earlier this month due to ineffectiveness.

Gagne had 152 saves with the Dodgers from 2002-04, routinely throwing from 95 to 98 miles per hour, but was much lower than that while pitching two-thirds of an inning Tuesday.

Gagne had surgery to remove a nerve in his pitching elbow in April 2006 and pitched in only two games that season after elbow problems limited him to 14 games in 2005. He returned to go 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 16 saves in 34 games with the Texas Rangers last season, but was a major disappointment after being dealt to eventual World Series champion Boston by going 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA and no saves in 20 games.

Gagne was the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner.




Own goal saves Bayer
Nats’ Cordero to have right shoulder examined

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Mets COO Wilpon declines comment on Randolph

Embattled New York Mets manager Willie Randolph apologized Wednesday for the "distraction" he has caused his team, but the silence that followed from the team's owners was deafening.

[+] EnlargeMets COO Wilpon declines comment on Randolph

AP Photo/John Bazemore

While Willie Randolph tries to separate himself from comments he made in the Bergen Record, his team is flopping on the field.

Randolph tried to reach out to the Mets owners Wednesday, getting no response before he publicly apologized for the comments he made recently suggesting he was portrayed in a different manner than white managers.

When asked why Mets ownership didn't return Randolph's calls, Jay Horwitz, the team's media relations vice president, told 1050 ESPN Radio's Andrew Marchand on Thursday that "Omar Minaya returned the call on behalf of Mets ownership."

Randolph and Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon usually speak often, which seems to make the Wilpons' decision not to return Randolph's call telling. Wilpon declined to comment Thursday when contacted by 1050 ESPN Radio.

The Mets dropped their third straight game Wednesday night, losing 11-4 to the Braves to fall to .500 for the season. The team, picked by many experts to win the NL East before the season, is now mired in fourth place -- 3½ games behind the first-place Florida Marlins.

Before the Mets' latest loss, Randolph issued an apology Wednesday to team ownership, the club's TV network and his players "for the unnecessary distraction" he created with his comments to The Bergen (N.J.) Record that appeared in Monday's editions.

Randolph brought up race when he questioned the way he has been presented by SNY, the team's TV network.

"Is it racial?" Randolph was quoted in the story. "Huh? It smells a little bit. … I don't know how to put my finger on it, but I think there's something there."

Before the Mets played the Braves on Wednesday, Randolph began by saying, "I just wrote down some notes I want to share with you guys."

"First of all, I want to apologize to the Mets ownership, SNY and my team for the unnecessary distraction that I created, that I caused the last couple days," he said. "I shouldn't have said what I said. It was a mistake. As simple as that. It was a mistake.

"And there is no excuse for that. No excuses. I own up to it. The fact of life is that we haven't been playing very well as a team. We've been very inconsistent. We've talked about that before. When it happens, you're going to get criticized for that. I understand that."

Randolph said he wasn't asked by Mets management to issue the apology.

"It's been a tough couple months for my team, for myself," he said. "I understand that goes along with that. I've known that for a long time."

Mets infielder Damion Easley said Randolph's comments had not caused a stir in the clubhouse.

"I didn't feel like it was a distraction," Easley said. "I only know bits and pieces. It doesn't change the fact that we've got to play better baseball and the sooner the better. So as far as creating a distraction, I didn't feel like that was a distraction."

Pressure on Randolph, which began with a late-season collapse to miss the playoffs last year, has increased.

"I take full responsibility for what I said out of frustration and hope that we can put a close to this matter and focus on winning a lot of baseball games," he said. "That's what we're here to do, win a championship."

When asked if his opinion of the way he has been portrayed by SNY has changed, Randolph said, "Yes. Yes. Again, those guys have a job to do. They get paid a lot of money to do their job. What I feel about that is really not important. At the time I voiced that opinion, again, that was out of frustration.

"What I said was what it felt like to me. I feel bad about how this has come about."


Galaxy looking for scoring balance
Delgado certain he didn’t need to take curtain call
Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff

Cox thinks Smoltz may return within next 2 weeks

ATLANTA -- One day after John Smoltz said he would not set a timetable on his return from the disabled list, Braves manager Bobby Cox did the job for him.

Cox thinks Smoltz may return within next 2 weeks

Smoltz

Cox also gave a projected timetable for the returns of two more injured Braves pitchers, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano.

"I think within the next 12 days all three of them will be up here -- or close," Cox said.

Smoltz, 41, has been on the disabled list since April 29 with a sore right shoulder. He said he was still dealing with inflammation and discomfort after his two bullpen sessions last week but had better success on Tuesday.

Cox hinted Smoltz may not need another side session in Atlanta before beginning a minor league rehabilitation stint.

"I don't know for sure," Cox said. "He felt awfully good yesterday."

Smoltz is 3-2 with a 2.00 ERA in five starts. He began the season on the disabled list with the sore shoulder and has been out more than three weeks on his second DL stint.

Smoltz plans to pitch out of the bullpen, probably as the team's closer, when he returns. He said pitching in relief should cause less stress to the shoulder.

Gonzalez, a left-handed reliever, is returning from Tommy John elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

Soriano, who opened the season as the closer, has been out since April 9 with a sore elbow. He was to begin an injury rehab assignment at Double-A Mississippi on Wednesday and pitch again with the club on Friday.

Also on the injury front, shortstop Yunel Escobar remained sore and was held out of the lineup a day after colliding with Ryan Church on the final play of Tuesday night's game.

Escobar, turning a double play at second base to end the game, threw to first while trying to jump and avoid Church's late slide. Escobar's knee struck Church in the head.

Cox said Escobar may miss only one game.

Omar Infante filled in as the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter.


Revs embrace return to normalcy
Braves’ Smoltz complains of shoulder discomfort

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Angels activate Figgins, put Aybar (finger) on DL

TORONTO -- The Los Angeles Angels activated infielder Chone Figgins off the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, but saw infielder Erick Aybar land on the 15-day DL with a dislocated right pinky that is expected to sideline him for the next four weeks.

Figgins has not played since injuring his hamstring sliding into home in a May 3 game against Baltimore. He felt good after working out Tuesday and was back in the lineup Wednesday as Los Angeles' third baseman and leadoff hitter.

"We hope Figgy brings that spark that he always brings," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He was playing very well defensively before he went down. Hopefully he'll hit the ground running and keep going."

The switch-hitting Figgins was batting .306 with no homers and seven RBIs at the time of his injury and has hit safely in 27 of 32 games this season.

Aybar injured his hand in the first inning of Tuesday's game when he dove for a ground ball off the bat of Alex Rios, catching his pinky on the ground and coming up clutching his fingers in pain.

Aybar visited a hand specialist Wednesday, who confirmed no surgery will be required. Still, Scioscia expects Aybar to miss four weeks while the finger heals.

"That's a tough break for that kid and we'll have to absorb it and move on," Scioscia said.

Aybar is batting .270 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 43 games.

Maicer Izturis will get the bulk of the work at shortstop in Aybar's absence, with Sean Rodriguez backing him up.

"We have some options," Scioscia said. "Figgy's versatility, we might have to tap into it. He's played second before. We're going to want him to get settled at third base, obviously, but he has the option of playing second and we have [Robb Quinlan] who can play third and some other looks we can give on some days."

Infielder Howie Kendrick, out since April 13 with a strained left hamstring, is doing agility drills but has not been able to run yet, Scioscia said.

Right-hander Kelvim Escobar (torn labrum) has been playing catch and is expected throw in the outfield when the Angels return home next Monday, while right-hander Dustin Moseley (right forearm tightness) is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.


Betis Stadium Ban Reduced To One Game
Piazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons

Braves' Jones latest voice to favor instant replay

Chipper Jones has seen enough. Now he wants baseball to take a closer look -- at instant replay.

"Anything to get calls right," the Atlanta star said Tuesday.

A lot of fans are saying the same thing after umpires botched a pair of home-run rulings on national TV.

On Sunday night, umps at Yankee Stadium reversed their correct call and concluded a shot by Carlos Delgado of the Mets was foul. On Monday night, umps in Houston mistakenly ruled a ball off a center-field wall was in play, prompting a reconfiguration at Minute Maid Park the next day.

The NFL, NBA, NHL, some NCAA sports and major tennis tournaments all use a form of replay. Baseball has resisted a switch, worried it would become too pervasive and further bog down games.

Then there's tradition. Always a sticking point for the national pastime.

"What makes the game good is the human element of it. The mistakes. Like the strike zone," Mets reliever Billy Wagner said. "Those are human decisions. If it's right or wrong, you just go with it."

Last November, general managers voted 25-5 to try replay on boundary calls -- whether possible homers are fair or foul, if balls actually clear fences, whether there's fan interference.

"I voted for it at every general manager's meeting since it first came up," Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams said.

"I hope people are taking notice. It's a different age. The review process on any disputed calls will take much less time than some of these arguments. Everyone should have a vested interest in getting the call right."

The recommendation went to commissioner Bud Selig, but had no binding effect or time frame. Nor did it include an idea on how to use it: Do teams get to challenge or do umpires decide?

"The commissioner has taken it under advisement," spokesman Rich Levin said Tuesday.

Selig has never favored replay.

"The commissioner is not a fan of it," baseball executive Bob Watson said in Houston. "He calls instant replay umpires getting together and trying to get the call right. That is instant replay in his estimation."

Still, many in baseball believe that replay could get a trial in the next year or two, possibly during spring training or in the minors.

"We'd be all in favor of listening to whatever proposals they might have," veteran ump John Hirschbeck, president of the umpires' union, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

To them, a big problem is the trend of new ballparks with quirky dimensions, odd angles and yellow lines. Gone are the days when balls that cleared the fences were homers, balls that bounced back were all-you-can-get.

"One of the things that they talk about in stadiums nowadays is fan appeal, and fan appeal means trouble for umpires," Hirschbeck said. "For years, we've said, if you want to make it simple, put a basket just like the Cubs have. It would make our lives a lot easier."

"They want to have all these cuts and different things in the outfield wall. It makes it next to impossible. You can run out as far as you can run. You can be set and staring right at it, and people don't realize it's still very, very difficult to tell. One split second that ball touches somewhere and you try to take a mental picture, but it's very difficult," he said.

That's what happened on the ball that Geovany Soto of the Cubs hit Monday night at Houston. Funny thing, he wound up with an inside-the-park home run.

Yet on Tuesday, Watson was on hand as workers removed a piece of wood in center field that was painted yellow.

"There's no need for that type of confusion at a big league ballpark," he said.

Doesn't have to be so tough, said Paul Hawkins. He lives in England and hasn't watched a lot of baseball, but does have a very good view on this subject.

He developed the Hawk-Eye technology that brought replay to Grand Slam tennis. Accurate to within 3 millimeters -- an error margin equal to the width of a ball's fuzz -- his systems are used in international cricket and have been tested in British soccer.

"It is frustrating when I watch an official's call that is wrong that could be corrected," he said from his office. "I mean, the goal is to get it right."

"Baseball has shied away from technology since their horrendous trial with using Questec to call strikes-balls. The problem there was not so much that the idea was bad, but the specific technology/company were not up to the job. But once bitten, twice shy," he said.

Hawkins said it would be easy to adapt his computers to track fair-foul calls. That is, if baseball asked. No offers, so far.

"It would be as if the Metropolitan police or the New York City police decided that they didn't want to use forensic methods that are available, that they wanted to only rely on the old ways of doing police work," he said. "If the police said that, it would be like, 'You what?"

Makes sense to Derek Jeter.

"I think fair or foul maybe would be good," the Yankees shortstop said. "It depends on what you're replaying, how much you would replay. Are you doing do it once an inning? Do you throw the red flag like in football?"

With six decades in broadcasting, Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully remembers the days before television replays illuminated every umpire's call. He could see using it on a limited basis.

"Where it involves the physical layout of the ballpark -- the foul poles, the foul lines, a fan possibly interfering, I don't see what would be wrong with that at all. But I wouldn't like it on balls and strikes -- I wouldn't even want it on close plays," he said.

Reds star Ken Griffey Jr. had mixed feelings.

"That's up to the owners and everybody else to vote on," he said. "I mean, how many times has it happened over the last five years -- a handful of times?"

Then again, the slugger with nearly 600 career home runs said he couldn't ever remember a bad call costing him.

"Hopefully when I hit them, there's no doubts," he said.


Late foul proves costly for Quakes
NORMAN CALLS FOR OLYMPIC RECOGNITION
Biggio to coach Houston high school baseball team

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Piazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Mike Piazza is retiring from baseball following a 16-season career in which he became one of the top-hitting catchers in history.

Quite A CatchPiazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons

Mike Piazza is one of just eight catchers in baseball history to have a season in which he hit .300, hit 30 home runs and had over 100 RBIs. And he did it six times.

.300, 30 HR, 100 RBIsCatcherSeasonsMike Piazza6Roy Campanella3Six others*1* -- Walker Cooper, Gabby Hartnett, Javy Lopez, Ivan Rodriguez, Joe Torre, Rudy York

"After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life," he said in a statement released Tuesday by his agent, Dan Lozano. "It has been an amazing journey ... So today, I walk away with no regrets.

"I knew this day was coming and over the last two years. I started to make my peace with it. I gave it my all and left everything on the field."

The 39-year-old Piazza batted .275 with eight homers and 44 RBIs as a designated hitter for Oakland last season, became a free agent and did not re-sign. He was not available to discuss his decision, according to Josh Goldberg, a spokesman for Lozano.

Taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft, Piazza became a 12-time All-Star, making the NL team 10 consecutive times starting in 1993.

"He was one of those hitters who could change the game with one swing. He was certainly the greatest-hitting catcher of our time, and arguably of all time," said Atlanta pitcher Tom Glavine, Piazza's former teammate on the New York Mets.

Piazza finished with a .308 career average, 427 home runs and 1,335 RBIs for the Dodgers (1992-98), Florida (1998), Mets (1998-05), San Diego (2006) and Oakland (2007).

"It's the end of a Hall of Fame career," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "It was a privilege to manage him for the short time that I did."

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia was a teammate of Piazza's on the 1992 Los Angeles Dodgers and remembered back to Piazza's first season in the majors and what he accomplished.

Piazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons I have to say that my time with the Mets wouldn't have been the same without the greatest fans in the world. One of the hardest moments of my career, was walking off the field at Shea Stadium and saying goodbye. My relationship with you made my time in New York the happiest of my career and for that, I will always be grateful. Piazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons

-- Mike Piazza

"To put yourself in the same ballpark with what a guy like Roy Campanella did is saying something and Mike is definitely up there with what Roy did," Scioscia said.

Piazza's 396 homers are easily the most as a catcher, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Carlton Fisk is second with 351, followed by Johnny Bench (327) and Yogi Berra (306).

"If I'm half the hitter he was, I'll have a pretty successful career," said Atlanta's Brian McCann, one of the top-hitting catchers currently in the majors. "He did a lot of great things for the catching position."

Piazza never had a great throwing arm but was praised by pitchers for his game-calling.

"You'd have to really go back and see Mike from the early days of trying to catch to where he ended up, the hard work he put in, the dedication he had to get good enough on the defensive end to where he could get his at-bats," Scioscia said. "He made himself into a guy who could go out there and catch and do the job he needed behind the plate."

Piazza thanked his family, teams and managers, some of his teammates -- and even owners, general managers, minor league staffs and reporters.

"Within the eight years I spent in New York, I was able to take a different look at the game of baseball," Piazza said. "I wasn't just a young kid that was wet behind the ears anymore -- I was learning from other veteran guys like Johnny Franco, who taught me how to deal with the pressures of playing in New York, and Al Leiter, who knew what it took to win a world championship."

He did not bring up two of the more memorable moments in his career: When the Yankees' Roger Clemens beaned him on July 8, 2000, and when Clemens threw the broken barrel of Piazza's bat in his direction in Game 2 of the World Series that October. Clemens denied intent both times.

"Last but certainly not least, I can't say goodbye without thanking the fans," Piazza said. "I can't recall a time in my career where I didn't feel embraced by all of you. Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and Miami -- whether it was at home or on the road, you were all so supportive over the years.

"But I have to say that my time with the Mets wouldn't have been the same without the greatest fans in the world. One of the hardest moments of my career, was walking off the field at Shea Stadium and saying goodbye. My relationship with you made my time in New York the happiest of my career and for that, I will always be grateful."


MLBPA looks into unsigned free agents like Bonds

Ex-Yankee Munson's memorablia to be auctioned

EXTON, Pa. -- Thurman Munson's World Series rings, MVP trophy and the uniform that the former New York Yankees catcher wore for his final home game before he died in a 1979 plane crash will be auctioned off in connection with this summer's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

"There could not be a more appropriate place to offer the collection to the public then New York City on the occasion of the final All-Star game to be played at Yankee Stadium," Munson's wife, Diana, said. "Thurman so loved that stadium and the fans who shared his many years with the team."

Also part of the July 14-15 auction are Lou Gehrig's warmup jacket dating to the final game of his streak of playing 2,130 consecutive games, the ball from Babe Ruth's 712th home run and a bat used in a game by Jackie Robinson.

The Munson collection consists of more than 140 items, including a custom-made Mercedes-Benz convertible and a replica World Series trophy made for him after the Yankees' 1978 title.

"My three children and I have held on to some items of great personal meaning to us but the time has come to share the collection with the public who so adored Thurman as a player with the Yankees," Diana Munson said. "Along with thousands of Yankees fans, we have so many fond memories of Thurman and the memorabilia items help to tell the story of his life."

Hall of Famer Whitey Ford's collection will also be auctioned off, including a ball signed for him by President Kennedy, Ford's 1961 World Series Babe Ruth Most Valuable Player Award, his 1950 Yankees road jersey and a signed game-used glove.


Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff
Sitting down? All-Star Game tickets start at $150

Monday, May 19, 2008

Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Joe Torre doesn't mind that he was left off the coaching staff for the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. He might not have accepted an invitation anyway.

"I'm with a new team now," Torre said Friday night after his Los Angeles Dodgers were beaten 4-2 by the Los Angeles Angels. "[Yankees manager] Joe Girardi is a coach for the All-Star Game, and deservedly so. They usually take the local city's managers as coaches. Besides, I'm not sure that if I got a call, I would say yes. Going over there at this point in time, I may serve as more of a distraction than to go over there and help the manager win a ballgame."

Torre has no problem being left off All-Star staff

Torre

National League manager Clint Hurdle, who guided the Colorado Rockies to their first pennant last year, decided not to add Torre to his coaching staff for the game on July 15.

Instead, Hurdle invited San Diego Padres manager Bud Black and New York Mets skipper Willie Randolph, who was a member of Torre's coaching staff in the Bronx for 11 seasons -- one of them as bench coach.

"I have no problem with that," Torre said. "I mean, anything that happens at Yankee Stadium is a spectacle, and I'm sure that it's going to be a very special time there. But I have no emotional feelings about it at all."

The Brooklyn-born Torre spent 12 years with the Yankees, managing them to four World Series championships, six American League pennants and 10 division titles -- never missing the postseason in his tenure.

He managed the AL All-Stars six times, so one more trip to the midsummer classic as Hurdle's assistant wouldn't enhance his already bulging resume.

"I mean, I spent so many days and games in that ballpark and so many special nights -- postseason," Torre said. "I mean, I've got a bucket full of memories. The All-Star Game certainly is going to be a spectacle, but I'm certainly satisfied with the time I put in there."

Yankees fans will get to cheer Torre's successor, Joe Girardi, who was chosen by AL and Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

The last time Yankee Stadium hosted the All-Star Game was in 1977. That was Torre's first season as Mets manager.

Hurdle, who played for the Mets two years after Torre was fired during the 1981 season, explained his choice of Randolph, who played for the Yankees from 1976 to 1988 and coached for them from 1994 to 2004.

"Willie has a lot of All-Star Game experience with Joe Torre, helping him put together the lineup and manage the flow of the game," Hurdle said in Denver before the Minnesota Twins beat the Rockies 4-2. "I have a ton of respect for Willie as a player. This will be a lifetime special moment for him to go back.

With Yankee Stadium closing at the end of the season, Hurdle indicated the Yankees could honor some of their former managers and coaches who are still in the league in another manner.

"It still leaves the opportunity for the Yankees, if they decide, to honor somebody else -- Torre, [Cubs manager Lou] Piniella -- in any way," Hurdle said. "They've got that opportunity to do that on their own. But I think Willie was a proper and good fit for our club."


Sitting down? All-Star Game tickets start at $150
Gossage: There’s no room for Joba’s antics in MLB

Biggio to coach Houston high school baseball team

HOUSTON -- Former Astros star Craig Biggio is set to become the head baseball coach at St. Thomas High School in Houston.

Biggio was an assistant baseball and football coach this year at St. Thomas, which won a state private school championship earlier this month. Biggio's oldest son, Conor, plays baseball and football there.

The story was first reported by Houston television station KRIV. The Houston Chronicle cited multiple sources Monday who said Biggio would be introduced at a Tuesday news conference.

The 42-year-old Biggio, considered a future Hall of Famer, retired last year after 20 seasons with the Astros. He is the franchise leader in games played and capped his steady career with his 3,000th hit last season. He finished with 3,060 hits, 20th all-time.


Blue Jays’ Thomas, in slump, angered by benching

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Royals' Soria agrees to 3-year contract extension

MIAMI -- Joakim Soria and the Kansas City Royals agreed to an $8.75 million, three-year contract extension Saturday, a deal that includes three club options that could raise the value to about $32.75 million.

"It's a big deal for me, for my career and my family," said Soria, who turns 24 on Sunday. "It's a lot of security for me and my family."

Soria allowed a run for the first time this season Friday when he gave up a two-run homer by the Florida Marlins' Jeremy Hermida, but he struck out Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu for his 11th save. Soria threw 16 2-3 scoreless innings to start the season, one-third shy of the Royals record, and has an ERA of 1.04.

The right-hander was picked up when the San Diego Padres left him unprotected in the 2006 winter meeting draft. He had a 2.48 ERA last year, third among major league rookies, and was 17-for-21 in save chances.

Soria, who is making $426,500 this season, gets $1 million in 2009, $3 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011, and would receive a $750,000 buyout if the 2012 option is declined. His salaries in the option years depend on whether he remains a reliever or becomes a starter. If he remains a reliever, the options could raise the value to about $30 million.

"I'm hoping I'm around for that whole contract," manager Trey Hillman said. "It would be fun to watch him pitch that long for the Kansas City Royals."

The 2012 option would become guaranteed at $6 million if he has 55 appearances in 2011 or 110 in 2010-11 combined. It would become guaranteed at $6.5 million if he pitches 400 innings over the previous two seasons.


Rays lock up Longoria for six years, $17.5 million
Source: Ramirez, Marlins agree to $70 million deal

Rangers' Blalock to move to first base once off DL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Hank Blalock will move to first base for the Texas Rangers when he returns from the disabled list.

Rangers' Blalock to move to first base once off DL

Blalock

Blalock, a third baseman who has been out since April 26 with a torn left hamstring, volunteered to make the switch Friday and the move was announced before Sunday's game against Houston.

"It's his decision," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He said he had looked at the team and thought he could help the squad more at first. This is Hank just being a very intelligent baseball man,"

Blalock has played 686 career games at third base and none at first. Washington was giving Blalock some pointers during infield practice Sunday.

The Rangers are sending Blalock to extended spring training in Arizona on Monday. Washington said Blalock will probably stay in Arizona until he comes off the disabled list -- which may be as early as Friday.

"It's a new position for me and I'm not sure how I'll do," Blalock said. "I wouldn't have initiated it if it wasn't something I was excited about."

Texas signed Ben Broussard in the offseason to play first. The Rangers placed Broussard on waivers Friday after he hit .159 in 26 games.

Chris Shelton and Frank Catalanotto have shared first for most of May, and Ramon Vazquez is hitting .338 with two home runs and seven RBIs as Blalock's main replacement at third.

"It's a change in my profession," said Blalock, who is hitting .299 with three home runs and seven RBIs. "I look at it as a challenge. If I can do a good job, it can help the team. I don't know how long it will take to be comfortable there. It makes me feel good that I can completely commit to that position."


Rangers place Millwood on 15-day disabled list
Despite injury, Chipper hopeful to play Monday

Saturday, May 17, 2008

ChiSox fire director of player personnel, 2 scouts

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Chicago White Sox fired director of player personnel David Wilder on Friday along with two other scouts in the club's Latin American operation.

Victor Mateo and Domingo Toribio also were terminated after a two-month investigation by Major League Baseball's Department of Investigations, the team said.

"It's very disappointing. This is a tough day," general manager Kenny Williams said Friday in San Francisco, where the White Sox opened a three-game interleague series against the Giants. "It's not consistent with (owner) Jerry Reinsdorf, myself or what the White Sox organization stands for."

Findings from baseball's investigation have been turned over to federal authorities. The White Sox said the three were dismissed "for actions in Latin America that were violations of club policy and standards" but did not elaborate.

Williams said he could not comment further on what wrongdoing led to the firings. Wilder is a longtime baseball man. In 2005, he interviewed for Boston's general manager job before Theo Epstein returned to the Red Sox.

"This is an investigation we brought to Major League Baseball as part of our reorganization in the Dominican Republic," Williams said. "We now have a new facility, complete with state-of-the art equipment and facilities. We're trying to achieve greater results down there. We wanted to be sure our operations were consistent with what we stand for. Obviously, they were not in this investigation and we've made some changes accordingly.

"As to the what and the why, I'm not at liberty to expound on that."

Williams is eager to move forward and continue upgrading his franchise's operations in the Dominican Republic.

"That's the bad news. The good news is we're well on our way to getting a top-notch facility in place down there and a structure that is hopefully going to prove to be much more efficient," he said. "We are not going to take a step back from what we're trying to do. Now, we feel we have the best chance of success down there."

Wilder had supervised Chicago's Latin American operations since the fall of 2004. Mateo was a full-time scout and Toribio a part-timer.

Wilder began his player development career with the Oakland Athletics in 1990 after a seven-year minor league career as an outfielder in the Oakland and Chicago Cubs systems.

He was assistant director of scouting and player development for the Atlanta Braves from 1991-95; farm director and assistant general manager with the Cubs from 1996-99; and vice president of player personnel and special assignment scout with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-03, before joining the White Sox in 2004.

He oversaw Chicago's entire minor league department and player development staff as well as the club's Latin American operations.

Wilder was also a member of the United States Olympic Baseball team's selection committee in 2000, helping assemble the team that won the gold medal.


Cintron called back up to big leagues with Orioles

A-Rod goes 1-for-4, homers in first rehab game

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in his first extended spring training game on Saturday.

A-Rod goes 1-for-4, homers in first rehab game

Rodriguez

It was his first game since April 28, when he was initially sidelined by a strained right quadriceps. A-Rod batted five times against David Price, taken first overall in last year's amateur draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rodriguez hit a long opposite-field homer to right on a 95-mph fastball, walked once, flew out and struck out twice.

"It felt good," said Rodriguez, who played four innings at third. "Just wanted to get back into the box. Today, mission was accomplished."

Rodriguez is scheduled to take part in a simulated game Sunday and play in another extended spring game Monday. Baring any setbacks, he will rejoin the Yankees Tuesday.

Price, coming back from a strained left elbow, is expected to make his pro debut Thursday for Class-A Vero Beach. He struck out 10, and gave up one walk and four hits in five innings.

"I wish he was on our team," Rodriguez said. "He has a very bright future."

With a less formal setting in extended spring games, Rodriguez was able to bat in each of the first five innings. After striking out on a slider in the first, he homered on the first pitch he saw in the second, which prompted a big smile as he headed toward the dugout after circling the bases.

"It's been a while," Rodriguez said.

Price said the homer taught him the need to keep the ball down.

"I threw a fastball up and in, and he hit it out to right center," Price said. "That's just something you've got to put in your back pocket, make a mental note of it."

Rodriguez handled several chances at third, including one play when he went to his left, reached out with his glove to knock the ball down, picked it up and threw out the batter at first.

"I was able to catch some ground balls, left and right," Rodriguez said.




Cards’ Mulder gives up nine in fourth rehab start
Cleanup sitter: A-Rod makes rare DL appearance

Friday, May 16, 2008

Rays reveal financing plan for waterfront ballpark

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays executives on Thursday announced a $450 million financing plan for a 34,000-seat waterfront ballpark.

Team executives are counting on the sale of their current home, Tropicana Field, the continuation of a hotel bed tax and $55 million in parking revenues over the life of the new stadium.

Rays president Matthew Silverman said the project would generate $900 million in tax revenues over three decades, redevelop the blighted area around the current stadium and create thousands of construction jobs. The ballpark could open in 2012.

"We see these projects combined as a $1.2 billion economic stimulus engine," Silverman said. "It could be the largest project in the history of St. Petersburg."

City officials listened patiently Thursday as the plan was presented, later asking questions about bond debt, parking agreements and whether the team could guarantee that building costs wouldn't skyrocket and hurt taxpayers.

City budget leaders said they will scrutinize the numbers in preparation for a discussion scheduled for next week. Even if city and county leaders agree the plan is viable, it will still need voter approval in November.

"This is a start," St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said.

The new stadium would sit on the edge of Tampa Bay and would include open-air seating. A sail-like retractable covering would shield fans from rainstorms and the heat, team officials have said.

The Rays would commit $150 million to the project. The continuation of a hotel bed tax would add another $100 million, and the team would ask St. Petersburg to pay roughly $75 million that team officials say the city has already committed to the team.


Tribune still plans to sell Cubs, Wrigley as package

MLB owners unanimously ratify drug testing rules

MILWAUKEE -- Baseball owners unanimously ratified tougher drug testing rules Thursday, and commissioner Bud Selig said he will now turn his attention to whether maple bats have become dangerous.

Players have until May 23 to ratify the drug agreement, which will increase the frequency of tests and the authority of the program's independent administrator.

"A lot of it can be enacted right away," Selig said.

Milwaukee Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said a tougher drug policy is important to the spectators.

"I talk to fans and they want to see it clean," Attanasio said. "They want to know that what they're seeing out there is legitimate. Also, especially in its historical context, the fans want to see that when they compare players of this generation to prior generations, that the performance is legitimate."

The next frontier in drug testing may be the development of a validated, commercially available test for human growth hormone.

"We're working very hard," Selig said. "We're watching what happens in the Olympics. We're always concerned. And as I said yesterday, nobody wants a test more than I do."

The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced it will have a blood test for HGH available at the Beijing Olympics. MLB has commissioned a joint study with the NFL to develop a test.

Selig said the executive council discussed players' use of bats made from maple wood, which seem to be shattering more frequently -- and in a more dangerous fashion -- than those made of ash.

Selig said the discussion was "very premature," and baseball officials plan to discuss the issue with the players' association and the rules committee before taking any action.

Asked if baseball would consider regulating the thickness of maple bat handles or even ban them entirely, Selig said it was too early to say.

"I don't want to get into any of that, because I'm not sure," Selig said. "We're working on a lot of things. But it's been a source of concern for me."

Pirates hitting coach Don Long was injured when he was hit by the shattered fragments of a bat used by Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth during an April 15 game in Los Angeles.

Selig believes it's a trend.

"I watch a lot of games, and I'm concerned," he said.

In other developments:

• Selig said the Milwaukee Brewers' signing of young star Ryan Braun to a $45 million, eight-year contract was a good sign for the economic health of the sport. It followed long-terms deals for Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria and Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki.

"I think it's a function of our economic system in some circumstances, yes. I do," Selig said. "And there's been quite a few of them and I think it's productive. I'm sure clubs will continue that."

• Selig was pleased with ticket sales. "We're running ahead of last year, which was our all-time record," Selig said. "And we've had really horrendous weather, I must say. Now, we say that every spring, but I really think, particularly in the Midwest, it's been really difficult."

• Selig is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Tribune Co.'s apparent decision to sell the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field as a package instead of separately. "I want to see what they do," Selig said. "I think they're coupled, but we've had a lot of stops and starts."

• Owners heard yet another report on the pace of the game. "We do have concerns on the pace of the game and a lot of ideas," Selig said.


Selig may not fine team officials in Mitchell report

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Reds' Griffey pays off teammate Fogg in pennies

CINCINNATI -- Ken Griffey Jr. owed Cincinnati Reds teammate Josh Fogg $1,500, and paying by check just wouldn't do.

So when Fogg arrived in the Reds clubhouse Wednesday, he found his locker filled with 150,000 pennies -- 60 boxes, each weighing 16 pounds and containing $25 worth of pennies.

"Basically, it's like having 60 bowling balls in your locker, only with no holes to pick them up with," Griffey said.

Neither player would say why Griffey owed Fogg the money. Griffey had threatened to pay it off in pennies, but Fogg didn't believe him.

"I'm going to take them out to the bullpen and count them," Fogg said. "I've got a lot of time on my hands out there."


Reds’ Griffey left out of starting lineup vs. Marlins
Posada out at least five weeks with shoulder injury

Nationals place 1B Johnson on 15-day disabled list

Nationals place 1B Johnson on 15-day disabled list

Johnson

NEW YORK -- Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist.

He is expected to miss four to six weeks. Washington plans to activate first baseman Dmitri Young from the DL on Friday.

Young went on the disabled list April 8, retroactive to April 3, with a lower back sprain. He had been on a rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg.

Johnson was injured on a swing late in Tuesday night's game.

The oft-injured Johnson missed last season while recovering from a broken leg. He is batting .220 with five homers and 20 RBIs this year. He has walked 33 times, however, giving him a .415 on-base percentage.

Aaron Boone started at first base Thursday. He broke up Mike Pelfrey's no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the seventh inning and had two key assists in the field during Washington's 1-0 win.


Soriano comes off DL, bats leadoff vs. Brewers