MLB Capsules: Rangers GM meets with Lee
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Free agent pitcher Cliff Lee has had another high-level visitor.
Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he met with Lee and his agent on Monday in Arkansas, the left-hander's offseason home.
Daniels was at baseball's GM meetings on Tuesday.
Lee also is being pursued by the New York Yankees. Earlier this month, Yankees GM Brian Cashman visited Lee at his home.
"He's going to have multiple, attractive options in a very competitive market," Daniels said. "Based on what they said publicly and also common sense, they're going to take their time and make the right call."
The 32-year-old Lee was a combined 12-9 with a 3.18 ERA for Seattle and Texas last season. He was 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in eight career postseason starts before twice losing to San Francisco in the World Series.
Rangers first MLB team to play in Myrtle Beach
ARLINGTON (AP) — The AL champion Texas Rangers will be the first major league team to play in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Rangers announced Tuesday that they will play an exhibition game against Coastal Carolina University on March 29 at the home of their new high Class-A team.
New Rangers managing partner Chuck Greenberg is also the managing partner of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. When that affiliation was announced in September, the date of the game was set, but the opponent wasn't revealed until Tuesday.
After breaking spring training from Arizona, the Rangers will play in Myrtle Beach, then play at new Triple-A team Round Rock before opening the regular season at home April 1 against Boston.
National League
Phils’ Halladay unanimously wins NL Cy Young Award
NEW YORK (AP) — Roy Halladay arrived in Philadelphia to a standing ovation, a $60 million contract extension and the billing as baseball’s top ace. That was before he threw a single pitch.
Doc delivered, and then some.
Halladay added another victory to an almost perfect season Tuesday, unanimously winning the NL Cy Young Award and becoming the fifth pitcher to earn the honor in both leagues.
"It’s by far the most fun I’ve ever had playing this game," he said on a conference call from Mexico, where he was golfing with Phillies teammate Mike Sweeney, Cardinals star Chris Carpenter and pitcher Chris Young.
"It was everything I hoped it would be," Halladay said.
In the Year of the Pitcher, he became the only one ever to throw a perfect game and no-hitter in the same season.
Halladay was an easy choice after going 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA and 219 strikeouts. He led the league in wins and topped the majors in innings (250 2-3), shutouts (4) and complete games (9).
Halladay received all 32 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Adam Wainwright of St. Louis was second and Ubaldo Jimenez of Colorado was third. San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum, who won the past two NL Cy Youngs, finished 11th.
"It’s surprising," Halladay said. "There could have been a lot of cases made, strong cases."
This year’s AL Cy Young Award winner will be announced Thursday. It could be a much more complicated race.
Felix Hernandez went 13-12, but topped the majors with a 2.27 ERA, led the AL in innings and was second in strikeouts. His Seattle Mariners had the worst record in the league and were either shut out or held to one run in 10 of his 34 starts.
CC Sabathia of the Yankees went 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA and Tampa Bay’s David Price was 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA.
"Obviously, Felix’s numbers are very, very impressive," Halladay said. "Ultimately, you look at how guys are able to win games. Sometimes, you find a way to win games."
Acquired from Toronto last December, Halladay quickly adjusted to a new league and added to the 2003 AL Cy Young he won with the Blue Jays.
Halladay threw a perfect game at Florida on May 29, then tossed a no-hitter against Cincinnati in his postseason debut.
Voting for the award ended after the regular season. Three days later, Halladay completely overmatched the Reds, the top-hitting team in the NL, in their playoff opener.
Halladay split a pair of matchups with Lincecum in the NL championship series. The Giants won in six games, blunting the Phillies’ bid to reach the World Series for the third straight year.
"We fell short," he said. "That part is definitely tough."
Halladay’s seven-year gap between Cy Youngs ties the longest in history, matching Tom Glavine.
"To be able to do it again after so long," he said, "means a lot to me."
Halladay joined Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Gaylord Perry as pitchers to earn the award in both leagues.
He credited catcher Carlos Ruiz, pitcher Jamie Moyer, pitching coach Rich Dubee and others for making his transition to the Phillies and the NL a smooth one.
"I was definitely worried about going to a new team," he said, adding he wondered: "How different are the leagues going to be?"
His assessment of the NL: "More of a strategic game."
Halladay became the 13th pitcher to unanimously win the NL Cy Young, with Jake Peavy previously doing it in 2007. It has happened eight times in the AL, with Johan Santana last accomplishing the feat in 2006.
Halladay is the 16th multiple winner of a Cy Young Award, a list headed by Clemens’ seven and Johnson’s five. Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux each won four times.
The Cy Young started in 1956. Through the 1966 season, there was just one selection from both leagues.
Halladay was the seventh Phillies pitcher to win the award. Along with Carlton, John Denny won in 1983 and reliever Steve Bedrosian got it in 1987.
The Phillies paid a big price to get Halladay. They wound up trading 2009 postseason star Cliff Lee to Seattle as four teams wound up being part of the swaps.
Halladay got to Philadelphia on the day of the trade and drew a standing ovation from nearly 20,000 fans when he was introduced in person at a 76ers game.
Halladay was dominant in an opening-day victory at Washington and won his first four decisions. The next month, he threw the 20th perfect game in major league history — only after got pinch-hitter Ronny Paulino to hit a grounder for the final out did Halladay break into a big smile.
It was a rare show of emotion. Halladay is well known for his focus and dedication to workouts. In spring training, it was not uncommon to see him in camp by 6 a.m.
"Roy just set such a great example," Dubee said.
Halladay earned his 18th win in mid-September. Despite all of their recent success, no Phillies had reached had won more than 17 since 1983, when Denny did it.
The only pitchers picked on all the ballots were Halladay, Wainwright and Jimenez. There were two BBWAA voters in every league city, and each person listed five top choices.
Halladay finished with a perfect 224 points. Wainwright (20-11, 2.42 ERA) got 28 second-place votes and 122 points and Jimenez (19-8, 2.88 ERA) got the other four seconds and 90 points.
"It was definitely special for me ... knowing how great the competition was and how good guys were doing," Halladay said. "To be able to finish it this way is a tremendous thrill."
At one point, Jimenez appeared to be a sure thing for the award. He started the All-Star game with a 15-1 record but tailed off.
Atlanta’s Tim Hudson (17-9, 2.83) was fourth and Florida’s Josh Johnson, who led the NL with a 2.30 ERA, was fifth. Giants closer Brian Wilson, who led the majors with 48 saves, was highest-finishing reliever at seventh.
Halladay received a $250,000 bonus, and Wainwright and Jimenez got $100,000 each.
By finishing second, Wainwright’s $9 million option for 2012 and $12 million option for 2013 become guaranteed as long as he doesn’t finish the 2011 season on the disabled list because of an injury to his right arm.
On Wednesday, the AL and NL managers of the year will be presented.
-- Ben Walker
Braves acquire 2B Uggla from Marlins for two players
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Power-hitting second baseman Dan Uggla was dealt from the Florida Marlins to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn in the first trade of the general managers' meetings.
A two-time All-Star, Uggla hit .287 with 33 homers and 105 RBIs last season and had been discussing a possible contract extension with Florida. He made $7.8 million this year, is eligible for salary arbitration and can become a free agent after the 2011 World Series.
"We're satisfied he's here for one year," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "He's a kind of guy we'd like to make long-term."
The trade reunites Uggla with former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, hired by the Braves to succeed Bobby Cox following the longtime Atlanta manager's retirement.
Florida is close to replacing some of the lost power with free-agent catcher John Buck, who is nearing agreement on an $18 million, three-year contract.
Martin Prado split time between second and third this year for the Braves, and the trade could be a sign Atlanta is unsure whether third baseman Chipper Jones can return next year from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. Jones turns 39 in April.
Wren said Uggla will play second.
"Martin plays left field as his primary position in winter ball, though he's not playing this year," Wren said. "So we have some flexibility depending on how Chipper responds."
Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said the trade followed the failed contract talks. Uggla was taken from Arizona in the 2005 winter meeting draft when he was left unprotected.
"The deal just didn't work out. We just made the decision," Beinfest said. "Dan is a great guy. He understands. He's a great story in a lot of ways from where he came from five years ago to where he is today."
Terry Bross, Uggla's agent, said the player was in Mexico on a Nike tour and not available to discuss the trade.
"He loved Florida and wanted to remain a Marlin. I'm sure he's saddened by not being a Marlin anymore. But he'll be exited to be a Brave."
Florida offered Uggla a $24 million, three-year extension during the summer, a person familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because those details were not announced. The person said Uggla countered with a $71 million, five-year proposal.
In recent weeks, the Marlins increased their offer to $48 million over four years, and Uggla remained with his initial proposal.
Bross declined comment on those figures. He said he would be willing to discuss a multiyear deal with the Braves but called it a step-by-step process and said he will wait to hear from Atlanta.
Infante was a first-time All-Star who hit a career-high .321 with eight homers and 47 RBIs. Dunn was 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA in 25 games in his rookie season.
"There could be a little downturn in the power," Beinfest said, "but it's a different look now for the Marlins to get the high average, high on-base guy and then hopefully the guys in the middle, Hanley (Ramirez) and (Mike) Stanton can drive those guys in."
While the teams had been in discussions for awhile, it came together when the GMs gathered for their annual get-together.
"I think we exchanged some names 10 days ago or 12 days ago," Wren said. "As we got into our meetings today, I think it was just by happenstance, we happened to be sitting beside each other. We didn't have assigned seats as we normally do. We started talking and it progressed by late in the morning we were exchanging names and were in basic agreement what the deal would be. It was just going ahead and getting some additional information."
Buck's negotiations were disclosed by a second person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final. The person said the sides were working to wrap it up.
Buck was a first-time All-Star this year, when he hit .281 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs for the Toronto Blue Jays.
-- Ronald Blum
Collins, Melvin among 4 finalists for Mets manager
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Terry Collins, Bob Melvin, Wally Backman and Chip Hale became finalists for New York Mets manager when the team narrowed the field Tuesday night to four candidates who all worked for the organization this year.
Assistant general manager John Ricco made the announcement after new GM Sandy Alderson returned to St. Petersburg to be with his family following the death of his father. The Mets intend to complete second interviews by Friday, depending on Alderson's availability and getting the candidates to Florida, where GMs and owners are meeting this week.
"We have to kind of play it by ear with the traveling and his situation," Ricco said.
Collins and Melvin each managed twice previously in the major leagues. Backman and Hale have no big league managerial experience but have both managed in the minors.
Backman played second base for the Mets' 1986 World Series champions and managed their Class-A Brooklyn farm team this year. Hale was New York's third-base coach, Collins the minor league field coordinator and Melvin a scout.
"Some veterans guys and some new guys," Ricco said. "Kind of a good mix."
Alderson, who is commuting to Orlando each day, will conduct the second interviews with Ricco, vice president of player development and scouting Paul DePodesta and special assistant J.P. Ricciardi. Owner Fred Wilpon, team president Saul Katz and chief operating Jeff Wilpon — the owner's son — may participate in some of the second interviews.
"We're still talking about who will be in each one of them," Ricco said. "We all know them to varying degrees and have all met with them."
New York is searching for a replacement for Jerry Manuel, who was fired along with GM Omar Minaya after the team's second straight losing season. Alderson hopes to make a decision by Thanksgiving.
DeMarlo Hale, Dave Jauss, Ken Oberkfell, Don Wakamatsu and Jose Oquendo were eliminated. Clint Hurdle interviewed, then withdrew to become manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Collins had a 224-197 record as manager of the Houston Astros (1994-96) and Anaheim Angels (1997-99). He led teams to second-place finishes in each of his first five seasons, then resigned during a nine-game losing streak with players complaining about his managing style and the Angels in fourth.
Melvin managed Seattle (2003-04) and Arizona (2005-09) to a 493-508 record. He was voted NL Manager of the Year after the Diamondbacks won the NL West in 2007; after sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the playoffs, they were swept by the Colorado Rockies in the NL championship series. Arizona fired him in 2009 following a 12-17 start, with then GM Josh Byrnes saying the team lacked a positive "vibe."
Backman was hired to manage the Diamondbacks in November 2004, then was fired four days later after The New York Times reported he had been arrested twice and had financial problems. He managed the South Georgia Peanuts of the independent South Coast League in 2007, resigned that August following run-ins with umpires and a press box argument with another team's radio announcer, then returned three days later and managed the team to the league title. He managed the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League in 2008.
Before the Mets hired him a year ago, Hale was third base and infield coach for the Diamondbacks for three seasons. He managed their Triple-A Tuscon farm team from 2004-06.
-- Ronald Blum
Westbrook agrees to $16.5M, 2-yr deal with Cards
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Right-hander Jake Westbrook decided to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing Tuesday to a $16.5 million, two-year contract.
His deal, the first for a starting free-agent pitcher this offseason, includes an $8.5 million mutual option for 2013.
The 33-year-old was acquired from Cleveland on July 31 and was 4-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 12 starts for the Cardinals. Overall, he was 10-11 with a 4.22 ERA for the Cardinals and Indians.
A 2004 AL All-Star, Westbrook has a 73-75 career record with a 4.29 ERA in 10 major league seasons. He pitched three games for the New York Yankees as a rookie in 2000, then spent his entire career with Cleveland before this year's trade.
"Having Jake signed is a great start to our offseason," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We witnessed firsthand last season what a terrific competitor he is and how well he fits in with our pitching staff."
Rather than test the free-agent market, left-hander Ted Lilly agreed to a $33 million, three-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 19.
Westbrook gives the Cardinals depth in a rotation headed by 21-game winner Adam Wainwright and 2005 NL Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter and lefty Jaime Garcia, who won 13 games and was third in the NL rookie of the year balloting. Kyle Lohse has been dogged by injuries most of the last two seasons but was a 15-game winner in 2008.
Westbrook was 3-1 with a 2.92 ERA the final month of last season. He won 14 or more games three consecutive seasons from 2004-06, topping 200 innings each time, but missed all but five starts in 2008 and '09 after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery.
The Cardinals sent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to the Padres as part of a three-team deal that brought Westbrook to St. Louis.
-- Ronlad Blum
San Jose cheering Posey's NL rookie of year award
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — He's not just the National League Rookie of the Year. Buster Posey is a world champion with the San Francisco Giants.
He's also a special source of pride in San Jose. Sure, Posey may have been born in Georgia and played college ball at Florida State, but San Jose claims Posey as one of their own.
It's there that Posey started out in the minor leagues, playing for the San Jose Giants.
Team president Jim Weyermann tells KNTV he remembers watching as Posey got drilled in the head with a 92 mph fastball. Not long after, Posey spent more than 90 minutes signing baseballs and taking pictures with fans. The now 23-year-old left a lasting impression in San Jose.
The Giants dugout store expects new merchandise soon honoring Posey's rookie achievement.
No criminal charges in Mets GM father's death
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — St. Petersburg police say no criminal charges will be filed against the driver who struck and killed the 87-year-old father of New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson.
Police spokesman Mike Puetz told the St. Petersburg Times Tuesday there is no evidence that 21-year-old Jeffrey W. Lachance did anything that would warrant a criminal charge. Traffic homicide investigators concluded he was not driving recklessly or impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time.
Traffic investigators are still examining other evidence, such as skid marks, which might show that Lachance was speeding or made an improper lane change. Lachance could then receive a traffic ticket.
John Alderson was struck Saturday night while crossing the street. He died at the hospital.
Padres hire Ausmus as special assistant
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The San Diego Padres have hired former big league catcher Brad Ausmus as a special assistant in baseball operations.
Ausmus, who retired after playing 21 games for the Dodgers this season, will work with catchers throughout the Padres' system.
Ausmus played parts of 18 major league seasons with the Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .251 with 80 home runs and 607 RBIs. Ausmus was a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and was an All-Star with the Tigers in 1999.
AP source: Buck and Marlins near $18M, 3-year deal
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that All-Star catcher John Buck and the Florida Marlins are close to agreement on an $18 million, three-year contract.
The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final. The person said the sides were working to wrap it up.
Buck was a first-time All-Star this year, when he hit .281 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs for the Toronto Blue Jays.
-- Ronald Blum
American League
Talks between Jeter and the Yankees continue
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner says contract talks between the team and shortstop Derek Jeter are going well.
Steinbrenner, who was at the general manager's meetings on Tuesday, said the negotiations are in the initial stages.
Jeter, his agent Casey Close and Yankees officials including Steinbrenner got together last week in Tampa, Fla. There have been additional discussions over the past week.
Jeter is a free agent for the first time after completing a 10-year contract this season. The Yankees have also held talks with the agents for closer Mariano Rivera, who is also a free agent.
"We do this every year," Steinbrenner said. "It's nothing out of the ordinary. Circumstances are a bit out of the ordinary. We know what we're dealing with here. We're dealing with two great Yankees. Nevertheless, the process is the same. We'll just continue talking to them."
Also, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman continues the search for a pitching coach after Dave Eiland was fired following the season. Candidates include bullpen coach Mike Harkey, Oakland Athletics roving pitching instructor Gil Patterson and Yankees minor league coach Scott Aldred.
Cashman didn't rule out making a small deal this week, and hasn't heard yet from left-hander Andy Pettitte, who hasn't decided whether to play next season or retire.
House passes resolution honoring Yankees’ Sheppard
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is honoring the late Yankee Stadium public-address announcer Bob Sheppard.
New York congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy introduced the resolution on Tuesday in tribute to his lifetime achievement. It was passed by the House of Representatives.
Sheppard died in July at 99. He started as the Yankees’ PA announcer in 1951 and worked his last game in 2007. He also served as the stadium voice of the NFL’s New York Giants from 1956-05.
McCarthy praised Sheppard’s majestic tone and noted how he introduced more than 70 Hall of Famers during his career.
McCarthy thanked 52 co-sponsors of the resolution, saying they included members who rooted for other teams.
League News
Expanded MLB playoffs more likely for 2012
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Baseball management is more likely to consider expanded playoffs for 2012 than for next year.
After discussing upcoming collective bargaining Tuesday with major league general managers, MLB executive vice president Rob Manfred said adding wild-card teams for 2011 would be "a difficult trick to pull off" because it would have to be a modification of the current labor contract, which runs through next season.
Manfred said the proposal would have to be made by the owners' labor policy committee, then endorsed by owners and agreed to by the players' association.
"In the middle of a contract, we can't act unilaterally," said Manfred, baseball's chief labor negotiator.
Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry favors additional wild cards. He credited commissioner Bud Selig with pushing through the initial wild-card playoffs, which began in 1995.
"It turns out the commissioner was right on," he said.
Hendry thinks a majority of GMs would back more playoffs.
"It's all about postseason baseball. That's what fans like," Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said.
Detroit Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said the sentiment of the group isn't that clear cut.
"There was definitely a split on the topic when it came up. It's not per se that everybody's for it," he said.
GMs were to discuss bargaining some more Wednesday, and owners gather Thursday for the final day of meetings.
In the first trade of the session, two-time All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla was dealt from the Florida Marlins to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn. Uggla is eligible for free agency after next season, and the Marlins couldn't reach an agreement on a longterm contract.
Florida is close to replacing some of the lost power with free-agent catcher John Buck, who is nearing agreement on an $18 million, three-year contract.
Among free agents, right-hander Jake Westbrook decided to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals, agreeing to a $16.5 million, two-year contract. Also, Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels said he met with Cliff Lee and his agent on Monday in Arkansas, where the left-hander lives. The top starting pitcher on the market, Lee also is being pursued by the New York Yankees.
Last month, union head Michael Weiner said players were open to considering additional playoffs as part of collective bargaining, and Selig said the concept intrigued him. Baseball would have to gauge the interest of its television partners before deciding whether to add more postseason games.
Baseball doubled its playoff teams to four in 1969 and again to eight for 1995, a year later than intended because of a players' strike. If there were additional wild-card teams, baseball would have to decide the length of the new round.
"I think best-of-one would be a little short, but I don't see how you go more than best-of-three given the need for travel and all the other playoffs that have to take place," New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. "But somebody may be able to figure it out on a best-of-five basis."
Management also seems intent on proposing a slotting system for amateur draft picks to eliminate individual negotiations.
"There are reasons why major league players should want a slotting system, because what's not spent in the draft arguably could be or would be spent on major league players," Alderson said.
Having worked for MLB in the Dominican Republic before joining the Mets last month, Alderson said a worldwide draft remains another possible proposal. Currently, the draft is limited to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, but baseball may propose expanding it. That would eliminate large free-agent deals for Latin American players and problems caused by buscones who have taken cuts of signing bonuses. MLB also has struggled with age and identity fraud.
"Based on what I've heard from the commissioner, that's an option still on the table," Alderson said. "If we can clean up some of these problems, there's a less likelihood of a draft being instituted."
While the NFL, NBA and NHL are facing potentially acrimonious labor negotiations, MLB remains confident it can reach another deal without strife. Since the 7½-month strike that wiped out the World Series, players and owners have learned to deal with each other with more harmony.
"Of all the sports, I'd say we are the least likely to experience a work stoppage," Alderson said.
-- Ronald Blum
Tommy John gets another chance at Hall of Fame
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — To some, Tommy John is best known for the surgery that carries his name.
Next month, he hopes to add another distinction — Hall of Fame pitcher.
John, who went 288-231 in a 26-season career that ended in 1989, is on the 12-man Veterans Committee ballot. Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, former manager Billy Martin and one-time players’ union head Marvin Miller are among those also eligible for the Hall.
Voting results will be announced Dec. 6 at baseball’s winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
"It would mean more to me getting in, being voted in my peers," John said Tuesday while taking part in a Yankees’ fantasy camp. "I’ll be Tommy John whether I get in or I don’t get in. If I get in, I’ll be a happy camper."
The results will come on son Travis’ 32nd birthday.
"I would call him and say, ‘Send the gifts that I sent you back,"’ John said with a laugh. "It would be neat to have that come out on his birthday. It would be a good birthday present."
John hurt his left elbow in 1974 and it was feared the injury would end his career. He underwent what was considered a revolutionary ligament replacement procedure later that year, returned in 1976 and kept pitching.
Tommy John surgery has helped dozens of top players resume their careers at a top level over the years.
Watson to retire as MLB VP of discipline
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Bob Watson will retire at the end of the year as baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline.
Watson has decided penalties for brawls, intentional hit batters and other matters since 2002 in his role as VP of on-field operations. The retirement was announced by the commissioner’s office Tuesday.
The 64-year-old Watson was a two-time All-Star as a player. He was general manager of the Houston Astros and New York Yankees. He became the first black GM in baseball to win a World Series title, with the Yankees in 1996.
He also was the U.S. Baseball Federation’s selection committee chairman, helping staff Olympic baseball teams.
Elsewhere
Cubs chairman pushes plan for state aid
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts on Tuesday trotted out everyone from iron workers to restaurant owners, saying they will benefit from his proposal to use $200 million in state bonds to help renovate Wrigley Field.
Flanked by representatives of unions and civic groups, Ricketts tried to dispel any suggestion that his proposal would cost the public — unless they come through the turnstiles — any money at all.
"This is not a new tax, not an increased tax and a tax only paid by people who come to Cubs games and buy Cubs tickets," he said. "Taxpayers are being asked for nothing."
Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley say they can't back a plan that calls for the state to issue the bonds, not when Illinois is mired in billions of dollars worth of debt. Ricketts says the team would pay off the bonds over 35 years with higher taxes paid by fans when they come to Wrigley.
The overall $400 million renovation plan for the 96-year-old stadium would include a major overhaul of aging clubhouses, among other things. Ricketts contends the work would create 1,000 construction jobs and those would give way to hundreds of permanent jobs, generating more than $450 million in tax revenue for Chicago, Cook County and the state over the next 35 years.
Others, though, have been skeptical. The Chicago Tribune's editorial page called the proposal a "lopsided arrangement under which taxpayers assume the costs and risks to upgrade a privately owned stadium for one of baseball's most profitable franchises — at a time when the city, county and state are worse than broke."
Quinn wondered about issuing the bonds at a time when the state is faced with a budget shortfall that could reach $15 billion. Not only that, but he seemed miffed that the Cubs talked to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan before they talked to him.
"Apparently, they don't think I'm as important as some others," Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Daley, who is not seeking a seventh term, said the deal that calls for the city's cut of the amusement tax to remain the same for 35 years should not be his decision but his successor's.
Ricketts, a lifelong Cubs fan whose family bought a 95 percent stake in the team from Tribune Co. in 2009 for $845 million, said the revenue benefits far outweigh the losses
"It is a real no-brainer from the economic standpoint," he said.
Ricketts said that the iconic park is in desperate need of renovation and not the kind of "patchwork" efforts that have been going on for years.
"We're going to have to address this one way or another," he said.
But Ricketts, who sounded like he may have been suggesting that the team might have to abandon Wrigley, later said that wasn't the case.
"That's not an option for the Ricketts family," he said. "We're staying at Wrigley Field (and) we're doing everything we can to preserve it."
