Baseball Capsules: AP Poll: Ballpark figures are too high, fans say

Take me out to the ballgame ... because I can't afford it.

The high price of going to a game is now the No. 1 problem in Major League Baseball, a new Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll of fans shows.

Soaring salaries and steroids dominated fans' worries in past AP surveys. But with opening day less than a week away, the nation's recession is delivering the biggest blow.

"Like every election, it's the economy," said New York Yankees star Mark Teixeira, who signed a $180 million, eight-year contract in the offseason. "In tough times, disposable income may not be there."

In other poll results released Tuesday:

- Nearly 60 percent of fans said no player who used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs should get into the Hall of Fame.

- 85 percent said all 104 names on the list of players who tested positive for drugs in 2003 should be made public. So far, only Alex Rodriguez has been identified.

- 60 percent said they were not interested in the World Baseball Classic - the preseason tournament involving major leaguers that was won by Japan for the second time.

But the cost of tickets, concessions, parking and everything else added up to fans' main concern. The toll of attending a game was tops at 45 percent, followed by player salaries (29 percent), steroids/drugs (19 percent) and the length of games (6 percent).

"It's gone up like everything else. The last game we went to, we paid $50 for a seat. That's pretty steep," Robert Neel, a retired director of admissions at the University of Cincinnati, said at spring training in Florida.

That would make for a cheap seat at either of the two new ballparks opening in New York. At the $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium, a ticket in the lower deck between the bases goes for a minimum of $350 and tops out at $2,625.

At the Mets' Citi Field, it's $18 just to park.

The average ticket price in the majors was $25.43 last year - up 11.7 percent over the previous season, according to The Team Marketing Report. The 2009 cost hasn't been determined, but the increases typically outpace the inflation rate.

MLB said two-thirds of the 30 teams lowered either their average ticket price or some level of seats. The Toronto Blue Jays went even further, offering a season ticket in the upper deck for $76 - less than $1 per game for all 81 home dates.

"The prices at the concession stands are insane," Cleveland fan Larry Jameson complained at spring training in Goodyear, Ariz. "Eight bucks for a beer. My wife bought a T-shirt. It cost her 22 bucks. She was going to get me a golf shirt. It was 55 bucks. I said forget about it, we need a plane ticket home."

Margaret Costello, a retired teacher from Sandusky, Ohio, assessed blame across the board.

"I'm not happy about the prices," she said this week at the Indians' new camp. "Every sports team in America, every professional athlete, is out of line.

"We have people losing their jobs, and CC Sabathia - I love him, he was my favorite - he gets more millions than a third-world country's national budget?" she said.

"I'm here for spring training, but I think this is the last time. Every year, I get more disillusioned with the millionaire players. Now, with Americans really in a financial bind, these guys keep getting richer? It has to stop."

Sabathia, who signed a $161 million, seven-year deal with the Yankees, accepted that sentiment.

"I'm not surprised with the economy being so bad and the way things are, the price of a ticket is probably going to be high. Hopefully they'll still come out and support us," he said.

Overall, almost 60 percent of poll respondents said going to a game was more expensive than other entertainment they might consider. Yet there was no indication they would stay away because of the prices - only 11 percent who went to a game in 2008 said they aren't likely to go back this year.

"It might affect the seat price that you opt for. Instead of buying more expensive seats, you might buy less-expensive seats. But probably not the number of games," said Richard Holmes of Anderson Township, a Cincinnati suburb.

Seattle designated hitter Mike Sweeney saw plenty of small crowds in Kansas City and Oakland in a 14-year career. This season, it could be worse.

"In light of the economic status of our country, there are many blue-collar Americans that probably won't be able to afford taking their son out to a ballgame, and that's understandable," Sweeney said.

In AP-AOL polls in April 2005, October 2005 and October 2006, fans said player salaries were the main problem.

Steroids were a concern, too, in those past polls. Five of the top 12 home run hitters in history - Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Rodriguez - have been tainted by allegations of steroid use.

In the current poll, 57 percent said no player who used steroids or performance-enhancing drugs should make the Hall of Fame.

"As far as the records of the players like Bonds and some of those things, I don't think they should be recognized. I don't think they should let them in," said Robert Mooore of Clearwater, Fla.

The poll was conducted March 24-29 and involved online interviews with 719 adults who said they were interested in Major League Baseball. It has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

The poll was conducted over the Internet by Knowledge Networks, which initially contacted people using traditional telephone polling methods and followed with online interviews. People chosen for the study who had no Internet access were given it for free.

Methodology for the AP-Knowledge Networks poll

The Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll on baseball was conducted between March 24-29, 2008 and is based on interviews of 719 adults who said they are interested or very interested in Major League Baseball.

The national survey was conducted online by Knowledge Networks of Menlo Park, Calif., under the direction and supervision of AP's polling unit.

Knowledge Networks initially contacted people using traditional telephone polling methods and followed with an online interview. People chosen for the study who had no Internet access were given it for free. With a probability basis and coverage of people who otherwise couldn't access the Internet, the Knowledge Networks online surveys are nationally representative.

Results were weighted, or adjusted, to reflect the adult population by demographic factors such as age, sex, region, race, and education.

No more than one time in 20 should chance variations in the sample cause results to vary more than plus or minus 3.7 percentage points from the answers that would have been obtained if all adults in the U.S. who are interested in Major League Baseball were surveyed.

There are other, potentially greater, sources of variability in surveys, including the wording and order of the questions.

The questions and results for this poll are available at http://surveys.ap.org.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Veteran Yankees voice Sheppard to miss opening day

NEW YORK - The new Yankee Stadium won't sound nearly the same on opening day.

Bob Sheppard, the longtime voice of the New York Yankees, will miss the start of the season while he continues to recover from a bronchial infection.

Now in his late 90s, Sheppard became the public-address announcer at the old Yankee Stadium in 1951. He missed last season because of his illness.

"I will not be able to be at Yankee Stadium for the series with the Cubs or opening Day," Sheppard said in a statement Tuesday. "My personal physician advised me to wait until I am ready. I am looking forward to doing games in the new stadium."

The Yankees host exhibition games with the Chicago Cubs on Friday night and Saturday. The regular-season opener is April 16 against Cleveland.

His resonant tones have called out names from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to Derek Jeter over the years, and Reggie Jackson gave Sheppard the nickname "the voice of God."

Sheppard made his debut at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 1951, when New York beat Boston 5-0 on opening day.

For the final game at the old park last year, he recorded a greeting to fans and the introduction of the Yankees' starting lineup.

Chamberlain arraignment postponed in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain's arraignment on a drunken-driving charge has been rescheduled a fourth time.

His lawyer requested the postponement. The Nebraska hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday and was reset for Wednesday.

"I'm going to show up and we're going to take care of business," Chamberlain said Tuesday after pitching 5 1-3 innings in New York's 6-3 win over the Reds.

Chamberlain had been granted delays earlier this month and in December and January.

Chamberlain, who played for Nebraska in college, is charged with first-offense drunken driving and having an open alcohol container. He was pulled over Oct. 18 by police on the outskirts of Lincoln.

A-Rod making progress in rehab

TAMPA, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez is making progress in rehab after hip surgery and could soon move his workouts from Colorado to the New York Yankees' spring training complex.

A firm date for the switch to Tampa, Fla., is not set, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday. But he said the latest it would be is April 13.

"We're still talking about it," Cashman said.

The Yankees open a three-game road series at Tampa Bay on April 13.

"Everything is going well," Cashman said. "He's working extremely hard. Everything is going as planned."

Rodriguez had surgery in Vail, Colo., on March 9 and the Yankees don't expect the third baseman to rejoin the team until about May 15. Cashman added that the three-time AL MVP has indicated he hopes to be back sooner.

Rodriguez has started lightly swinging a bat, and manager Joe Girardi received a message from the star slugger saying he was set to resume throwing this week.

"He was going to up his work level a little bit more," Girardi said. "His rehab is taking another step. Seemed like he was in a good frame of mind. We miss him and he misses us."

Rodriguez is also lifting weights, riding a stationary bike, working out in a pool and doing range of motion drills.

Albaladejo wins bullpen spot

TAMPA, Fla. - Jonathan Albaladejo won the competition for the final spot in the New York Yankees' bullpen.

Albaladejo beat out three long-relief candidates, who were sent to the minors on Tuesday.

Alfredo Aceves and Dan Giese were optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Brett Tomko was reassigned to the Triple-A club. Catcher Kevin Cash also was reassigned to New York's top farm team.

"It was a tough decision," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "Albie has pitched well. He throws strikes. He's tough."

Tomko had been considered the front-runner for the spot but the Yankees opted to keep Albaladejo instead of any of the possible long relievers. Albaladejo and Phil Coke can throw multiple innings and could fill that void.

"I'm extremely disappointed," Tomko said. "I respect their decision. I feel like I pitched my way onto this team. They said they wanted to go with a short (inning) guy and not a long man. I can do that. That's what the frustration comes from."

Tomko can opt of his contract in June.

Cashman said Tomko and Giese likely will work out of the bullpen. The projected Triple-A rotation is Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Kei Igawa, Jason Johnson and Aceves.

Damaso Marte and Brian Bruney will be the setup men for Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez also will work in relief.

The competition for a backup infielder spot between Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena might not be decided until late this week.

Tigers release Sheffield, who's 1 HR away from 500

LAKELAND, Fla. - Gary Sheffield's next home run will be his 500th in the major leagues.

The question is: What uniform will he be wearing when he hits it?

The Detroit Tigers released the nine-time All-Star on Tuesday, leaving him without a team as he closes in on becoming the 25th player to reach the milestone.

Sheffield left camp as the rest of his former teammates were reporting for an afternoon game against the Washington Nationals.

"I wouldn't say I'm shocked, but I am surprised," Sheffield told The Oakland Press of Pontiac. "To do this when somebody is one home run away ... I don't know how to react to it."

"Jim (Leyland) said, ‘We're going to go with versatility.' When he said that word I thought to myself, ‘I'm probably the most athletic guy on this team.' But they're entitled to their opinion," Sheffield said.

Marcus Thames, who will take Sheffield's place in the lineup as designated hitter, also was surprised by the move.

"Somebody told me he was released, and I couldn't believe it," he said. "(Miguel) Cabrera looked like he was in a state of shock."

Leyland, the Tigers manager, said he had a hard time sleeping Monday night, knowing he was going to release a future Hall of Famer.

"I lit two Marlboros at the same time," Leyland said. "I couldn't sleep. But I feel better that it's over with than I did at 3 in the morning."

Leyland said it wasn't a personality issue and still was struggling over the decision after Sheffield packed up his locker and left.

"It doesn't mean it's right, but I feel good. This thing has been eating at me. We need to be a more (versatile) team, and that's why it happened."

The slugger's stay in Detroit was a disappointing one. The team was hopeful Sheffield would be a powerful presence at the plate in the final season of the $28 million, two-year contract extension it gave him after acquiring him from the Yankees for prospects.

But Sheffield failed to deliver in large part because he often was injured. Any team can sign him for the $400,000 minimum, with Detroit paying the rest of his $14 million salary.

The move came a day after the Tigers acquired outfielder Josh Anderson from Atlanta, forcing the team to make some tough decisions about its roster a week ahead of opening the season in Toronto.

The 40-year-old Sheffield had a .178 batting average in 18 spring training games this year. The designated hitter had eight hits - including five home runs - in 45 at-bats.

"It's one of those things where you move on, you know?" Sheffield told the Detroit Free Press. "I was surprised. I thought I was getting ready for the season. I never thought that I wasn't going to be playing with the Detroit Tigers this year. It's probably a blessing."

In other moves Tuesday, the Tigers placed starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman on the 15-day disabled list and optioned the contract of outfielder Clete Thomas to Triple-A Toledo.

The team said Bonderman's placement on the DL was retroactive to Monday as the right-hander continues to recover from shoulder surgery that sidelined him for most of last season.

Infielder Will Rhymes and outfielder Timo Perez were assigned to minor league camp.

The moves leave Detroit with 31 players remaining in camp.

Shoulder and assorted other injuries - and perhaps age - limited Sheffield to 114 games and a .225 average last year and 133 games and a .265 average two seasons ago with the Tigers.

Sheffield said he didn't need surgery in the offseason for the first time in several years, making him feel better during spring training than he has been since 2001.

His uncle, Doc Gooden, and other family members had planned to attend Detroit's season-opening series, hoping to watch him reach 500.

Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Frank Robinson and Reggie Jackson are the only players in baseball history with as many home runs as Sheffield, plus at least 2,500 hits, 1,500 RBIs and 200 stolen bases.

In All-Star games, he has represented San Diego, Florida, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta and the Yankees since making his debut two decades ago in Milwaukee.

The career .292 hitter has 1,633 RBIs, putting him 27th on the all-time list.

Sheffield said he doesn't believe his career is over.

"No," he told The Detroit News. "It ain't close."

Royals option right-hander Hochevar to Omaha

PHOENIX - The Kansas City Royals have optioned right-hander Luke Hochevar to Triple-A Omaha, increasing the chances Sidney Ponson will fill a slot in the starting rotation.

Hochevar, the first player picked in the 2006 draft, had a 3.86 ERA in five spring training games, allowing 17 hits and four walks in 16 1-3 innings. He was 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA in 22 starts for Kansas City last season after starting the year with Omaha.

Kansas City announced the move on Tuesday.

The Royals signed Ponson to a minor league contract on March 17 after he pitched well for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Giants' Burriss to start at 2nd base

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Emmanuel Burriss will open the season as the starting second baseman for the San Francisco Giants as the team moved closer to finalizing its 25-man roster.

The Giants optioned Kevin Frandsen to Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday, giving the job to Burriss after a strong competition in spring training.

"(Burriss') all-around play was very solid," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. "It was a unanimous opinion from all involved - front-office, coaching staff, scouts. He had a tremendous spring."

In other roster developments, manager Bruce Bochy said that Bengie Molina may be the only true catcher on the roster, with starting third baseman Pablo Sandoval serving as the backup.

Sandoval, who leads the majors with 31 hits this spring, caught three innings in the Giants' 10-3 victory over Texas on Tuesday. Sandoval, a catcher in the minors, hadn't been behind the plate all spring as Steve Holm has served as Molina's backup.

"We're taking a look at it," Bochy said of opening with Sandoval as the backup catcher. "He's been doing some work there. Is it a risk? Yeah, a slight one. But Sandoval did it last year. He played first, third and caught. With days off in April, we looked at that, and that's why it's something that will be considered."

The Giants have five off days in April before beginning a stretch of games on 17 consecutive games in May.

"I just want to play every day," Sandoval said. "Wherever they need me, I want to play."

Burriss, 24, had two hits Tuesday and is hitting .360 with four doubles, four stolen bases and nine RBIs. Frandsen hit .274 with a homer and six RBIs.

"He's earned it to start the season out there every day," Bochy said. "He's swung the bat well and played great defense. They both played well."

Burriss was selected by the Giants in the 2006 draft as a shortstop, but he played both shortstop and second base as a rookie last season after opening the year at Fresno.

In 94 games with the Giants, Burriss hit .283 with 18 RBIs and 16 stolen bases, finishing second among NL rookies in stolen bases and third in batting average. He played 47 games at shortstop after an injury to Omar Vizquel and played 41 games at second, getting a crash course there after Vizquel returned.

"Every day is a learning day," Burriss said earlier in camp. "I want to say I'm pretty comfortable (at second), but I have to get better. There is always room for improvement."

Frandsen, 26, missed all but one game in 2008 after suffering a ruptured Achilles' tendon in spring training on March 24. He made one pinch-hit appearance, against Los Angeles on Sept. 28.

Frandsen hit .269 with five homers and 31 RBIs for the Giants in 2007 and entered last spring in a competition with Ray Durham before going down with his Achilles' injury.

Nonroster invitees Rich Aurilia and Juan Uribe appear guaranteed to make the opening day roster with Frandsen's demotion.

Uribe hit two home runs Monday and appears to be the primary backup ay both shortstop and third base. Aurilia is the primary reserve at first base, and he also has played third this spring. Both have played second base in their careers.

In another move, the Giants reassigned Jesus Guzman to the minor-league camp, leaving them with 30 players.

The Giants are expected to carry 12 pitchers and 13 position players.

They have 14 position players remaining in camp, with infielder-outfielder Eugenio Velez and outfielder Andres Torres believed to be competing for the final spot.

Velez, who can play second base and the outfield, is hitting .328 with four doubles, three triples, one home run, 11 RBIs and seven stolen bases.

Torres, a nonroster invitee, is hitting .397 with two doubles, two triples, a homer, five RBIs and four stolen bases. He is considered better defensively.

As for the pitching staff, Bochy said nonroster right-handers Brandon Medders and Justin Miller will probably not make the club. That means Luis Perdomo, Merkin Valdez and Alex Hinshaw will likely start the season in the bullpen along with closer Brian Wilson and setup men Bobby Howry and Jeremy Affeldt.

Rookie Joe Martinez has also emerged as a strong candidate to be the long reliever with Keiichi Yabu and Ramon Ortiz also in the mix. Martinez led the Eastern League with a 2.44 ERA last season.

"We like the way (Martinez) throws," Bochy said. "It's a way to develop young pitchers. He holds runners and does all the little things on the mound. He handles the bat. He throws strikes. He has a good sinker."

Chipper Jones agrees to $42M, 3-year extension

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves agreed Tuesday to a $42 million, three-year contract extension through 2012, a deal with an option that could become worth up to $61 million over four seasons.

The agreement virtually guarantees that the 36-year-old Jones will play his entire career in an Atlanta uniform.

A six-time All-Star, Jones was the NL's Most Valuable Player in 1999. His .310 career batting average ranks second among switch-hitters, trailing only Frankie Frisch's .316. He has 408 home runs, trailing only Mickey Mantle (536) and Eddie Murray (504) in homers by a switch-hitter.

He is the only switch-hitter with at least 300 homer and a .300 career batting average.

Due $10 million this season in the option year of a contract that began in 2006, Jones gets a $3 million signing bonus as part of the new deal, payable in $1 million installments each Jan. 15 starting next year.

Jones receives annual salaries of $13 million from 2010-12 and can earn $1.5 million a year in performance bonuses: $750,000 each for 135 and 140 games.

His contract contains a $9 million option for 2013 that would become guaranteed if he plays in 123 games in 2012 or averages 127 games in 2011-12. The option price could increase by up to $4 million: $1 million each for 128, 133, 138 and 140 games in 2012 (or averages of 132, 137, 138 and 140 in 2011-12). In addition, he could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on the earlier criteria.

If the vesting option fails to become guaranteed, the club would hold a $7 million option.

MINOR LEAGUE

Warning label urged for team's monster burger

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps say they have no plans to put a warning label on an enormous new hamburger they're selling this season - despite a vegan advocacy group's request to do just that.

Susan Levin, a staff dietitian for the Washington-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, sent a letter to the Grand Rapids minor-league team on Tuesday. She's asking that the 4,800-calorie burger be labeled a "dietary disaster" that increases the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The 4-pound, $20 burger features five beef patties, five slices of cheese, nearly a cup of chili and liberal doses of salsa and corn chips - all on an 8-inch bun.

Whitecaps spokesman Mickey Graham says the burger is a gimmick that's being promoted as a very unhealthy menu item.