Perseverance pays off for pitcher

Nov 11, 2005
Chris Carpenter was ready to call it quits.
Toiling in Double-A two years ago, trying to work his way back from shoulder surgery, he pitched a game in Tennessee just before the All-Star break and couldn't even play catch afterward because his right arm hurt so much.
Carpenter knew something was wrong again, even though the doctors didn't think so. He hadn't seen his infant son in about a month, and all he wanted to do was go home to New Hampshire with his wife, Alyson.
"I'll never forget the night we sat here until about 3 o'clock in the morning crying and talking about my career," Carpenter said. "I was ready to be done. And she didn't think I was, that I would regret it if I didn't take that one more step and try to come back again. And the next thing you know, I got my second surgery and here we are today. And I know that if it wasn't for her I wouldn't be here."
All that hard work and patience was rewarded when Carpenter won the National League Cy Young Award on Thursday.
After going 21-5 with a 2.83 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals, he received 19 of 32 first-place votes and finished with 132 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
He beat out Florida left-hander Dontrelle Willis, becoming the first Cardinals pitcher to claim the honor since Hall of Famer Bob Gibson in 1970.
"I can't believe I won," Carpenter said. "My son did a little dance for me and my wife gave me a big hug. We were really excited about it."
Willis, who was 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA, was listed first on 11 ballots, second on 18 and third on three for 112 points. Seven-time winner Roger Clemens got the other two first-place votes and came in a distant third at age 43.
The Rocket led the majors with a 1.87 ERA, but a lack of run support from his NL champion Houston Astros limited Clemens to a 13-8 record, which surely cost him votes.
Willis was all class in shrugging off any disappointment.
"I can always tell my kids, even when they stop listening to their old dad, that I was in the running with Roger Clemens and Chris Carpenter to win a prestigious award," Willis said. "It's not that bad to be the second-best pitcher in the league."
DODGERS TO TALK TO COLLETTI: The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to interview San Francisco Giants vice president and assistant general manager Ned Colletti for their vacant GM job.
Team spokesman Josh Rawitch confirmed Thursday that Colletti would be interviewed but said he didn't know when.
Kim Ng, the Dodgers' assistant GM, interviewed for the position Saturday. If hired to succeed Paul DePodesta, she would become Major League Baseball's first female GM.
In addition, the Dodgers remain interested in John Hart, who resigned as the Texas Rangers' general manager Oct. 4 but remains under contract as a consultant.
DEVIL RAYS SIGN BALDELLI: Piece by piece, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are laying the foundation for what new ownership expects to be a bright future.
Center fielder Rocco Baldelli signed a long-term contract Thursday that could be worth more than $32 million over six years, a move reflecting principal owner Stuart Sternberg's commitment to keep a promising core of young talent together.
"He and Carl Crawford represent two premier building blocks of the organization," team president Matt Silverman said.
In April, Crawford signed a similar six-year deal that could be worth up to $32.5 million. Baldelli's contract is designed to keep the young outfielders in the same lineup well into what the last-place Devil Rays expect to be a dramatic turnaround on the field.
VALENTINE LIKELY TO RETURN TO JAPAN: Bobby Valentine probably won't be returning soon to manage in the major leagues, saying Thursday that he's close to signing a new contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Valentine, mentioned as a candidate to fill managerial openings with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, just completed his second season with the Marines. Last month, he guided the team to its first Japan Series championship in 31 years.

Source: http://www.newsobserver.com/

Phils' Howard, A's Street cream of rookie crop

11/7/2005
Neither Oakland Athletics reliever Huston Street nor Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was expected to play a major role for their respective teams this past season. But both stepped in and stepped up when incumbents at their positions sustained serious injuries and they became indispensable cogs in their teams' run for a playoff spot.
On Monday, Street and Howard were rewarded for their efforts by being named the American League and National League rookies of the year, respectively.
Street received 15 out of a possible 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, totaling 97 points to beat out New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, the runner-up with 57 points. Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes finished third with 39 points.
Street became the second consecutive Athletic to be named Rookie of the Year, after shortstop Bobby Crosby in 2004, and the sixth since the franchise moved to Oakland in 1968. Two other A's rookies, outfielder Nick Swisher and pitcher Joe Blanton, also received votes in this year's balloting, and a third one, first baseman Dan Johnson, was a contributor as well.
"Sharing this year with the four guys," Street said in a conference call, "just to be able to come up together, was a really special experience. It not only made it easier as a player because you're not the only rookie in the clubhouse, but also off the field it gives you guys to hang out with, not only teammates but great friends."
Less than a year removed from the University of Texas, Street (the son of former Longhorns quarterback James Street) became Oakland's closer when Octavio Dotel went down in May with an elbow injury that required surgery. Not only did the right-hander handle the pressure-packed role, he excelled at it, saving 23 games in 27 chances to go along with a 5-1 record and a 1.72 ERA. Only Mariano Rivera's 1.38 ERA for the Yankees was better among AL relievers. Street had 72 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings, and opposing hitters batted only .194 against him.
"Coming into the season my goal was just to stay," Street said. "Coming out of spring training, it didn't even look like I was going to have a chance to make the team."
Asked late in the season about making the leap from the college ranks so smoothly, Street said, "I think more than anything making that jump is about trusting your stuff, and then trying to learn and get better. It's a constant effort."
Howard, who did not play in the majors in April or June, became the Phillies' everyday first baseman in early July when Jim Thome was sidelined for the season with an elbow injury. The left-handed hitting Howard, who led all rookies with 22 home runs, also posted a .288 average and 63 RBI in 312 at-bats.
Howard received 19 out of a possible 32 first-place votes and compiled 109 points to edge out Houston Astros center fielder Willy Taveras, who finished with 78 points. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur, another midseason call-up, was third with 60 points.
The left handed-hitting Howard made a lasting impression with his tape-measure home runs, especially late in the season. He had 11 homers and 27 RBI in September and October as the Phillies battled the Houston Astros for the wild card until getting eliminated in the last day of the season.
Home runs were down 8% in the majors this year, the first one when players who tested positive for steroids were penalized, but Howard pointed out the power game still plays a large role in baseball.
"It's very important," said Howard, the fourth Phillies player to be chosen Rookie of the Year and the first since Scott Rolen in 1997. "One swing of the bat can change the whole flow of the game and it can change the outcome of the game."
Of course, Thome has long been one of the game's premier power hitters. Neither he nor Howard play another position, so can they coexist next season?
"I'm on vacation right now. I don't know," Howard responded in his conference call. "That stuff is always hard, what happens next year. Right now I'm just trying to relax."
Street became the second consecutive AL Rookie of the Year from the A's, winning a year after Bobby Crosby earned the award. Street is the fifth Oakland player honored, joining Crosby, Ben Grieve, Walt Weiss, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco.
Howard is the fourth Phillies player to win the award, joining Rolen, Dick Allen and Jack Sanford.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/

UPI NewsTrack Sports

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Notre Dame and Navy Midshipmen Thursday announced the two schools have agreed to a 10-year contract extension.
The deal means the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in the country -- which began in 1927 -- will continue until at least 2016.
The 2006 game will be played in Baltimore and already is under contract.
"This extension is important for both schools for a number of reasons," said Navy director of athletics Chet Gladchuk. "I am pleased we have been able to continue the series which is a highlight for our student-athletes and fans every fall."
The Irish will host the game every other year starting in 2007, and Navy will be the home team for four of the even-year contests. The sites for those contests are yet to be determined.
The 2012 game will be played in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 1.
Notre Dame has won the last 41 games in the series.

Source: http://www.upi.com/

Cardinals sign 14 players to minor league contracts

Tue, Nov. 15, 2005
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals signed 14 players to minor league contracts on Monday and added one of them, catcher Michel Hernandez, to the 40-man roster.
Hernandez, 27, spent all last season at Triple-A Portland in the San Diego Padres system and batted .288 with three home runs and 31 RBIs in 82 games. He played six years in the Yankees organization from 1998-2003 and played five games in the major leagues in 2003 with New York.
Five players from the team's minor league system were re-signed, including right-hander Andy Cavazos, left-fielder Randy Leek, infielders Juan Diaz and Milko Jaramillo, and outfielder Brian Martin.
Cavazos was 2-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 51 relief appearance for Class A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield. Leek, a starter, was 15-7 with a 3.83 ERA at Springfield. Diaz, a first baseman/DH at Springfield, batted .308 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs.
Jaramillo played 55 games at Springfield before a late season call-up to Triple-A Memphis where he batted .395 in 20 games. Martin hit .297 with five homers and 38 RBIs in 60 games for Palm Beach.
Others agreeing to contracts were left-handers Rich Rundles and Sam Walton, right-handers Brad Voyles and John Webb, catchers Brent Cordell and Brian Esposito, infielder Ramon Nivar and outfielder Prentice Redman.
Devil Rays
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have hired Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon as manager, six weeks after beginning their search to replace Lou Piniella.
The team confirmed Maddon's hiring Monday. The St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune reported in Monday editions that the team selected Maddon over incumbent Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren the day before.
"I'm very happy, excited, eager, all those things," Maddon told the Times. "It's a great situation and I'm really looking forward to it."
The Devil Rays scheduled a news conference for today. Maddon did not immediately return phone messages left by The Associated Press.
Maddon, 51, inherits a team with a promising nucleus of young talent that made the job attractive.
Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay's new executive vice president of baseball operations, interviewed nine candidates and also had discussions with former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
The selection of Maddon over McLaren brings yet another fresh face to the Devil Rays, who have undergone a massive overhaul in the front office in the past six weeks. He has been was been a coach with the Angels for the past 12 seasons, with much of that time spent as manager Mike Scioscia's right-hand man.
The other candidates were Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, former Detroit manager Alan Trammell and Atlanta batting coach Terry Pendleton.
Former New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi also interviewed with Tampa Bay before the Florida Marlins hired him as their manager.
Dodgers
Texas Rangers executive John Hart has withdrawn as a candidate for the Los Angeles Dodgers' general manager's job.
The 57-year-old Hart resigned as GM of the Rangers on Oct. 4. He had talked with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in early November.
"I want to thank Frank McCourt for the opportunity to speak with him regarding his opening. I enjoyed speaking to him," Hart said. "However, I have indicated to Texas owner Tom Hicks my desire to remain with the Rangers. Therefore, I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the general manager's job with the Dodgers."
Current Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng and assistant San Francisco Giants GM Ned Colletti are believed to be the leading candidates to succeed Paul DePodesta, fired as general manager of the Dodgers on Oct. 29.
Dodgers spokeswoman Camille Johnston said Monday the team has "narrowed the field, and the general manager's search is moving forward."
Yankees
Hideki Matsui's agent and the New York Yankees neared agreement Monday on a four-year contract worth about $50 million.
Arn Tellem and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman faced an end-of-Tuesday deadline to reach a deal. Matsui's first contract with the Yankees states that if there is no agreement by then, New York must place the outfielder on unconditional release waivers, which would mean the Yankees could not re-sign him until May 15.
Matsui is coming off a three-year contract that guaranteed him $21 million, and Cashman and Tellem have been optimistic about striking a deal by the deadline. Matsui hit .305 with 23 homers and 116 RBIs last season.

Source: http://www.belleville.com/

Palmeiro will not face prosecution

Rafael Palmeiro will not be prosecuted on perjury charges after lawmakers said yesterday there isn't enough evidence to prove he lied when he told Congress under oath that he had ''never used steroids" -- six weeks before failing a steroid test.
The investigation did not conclude whether the former Baltimore Orioles slugger had actually ever used performance-enhancing substances prior to his testimony before the House Government Reform Committee.
''We couldn't find any evidence of steroid use prior to his testimony," chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., said in releasing a 44-page report. ''That's not a finding of innocence, but it's a finding that we could not substantiate perjury."
At issue was Palmeiro's statement at a March 17 hearing: ''I have never used steroids. Period." On May 4, he failed a Major League Baseball drug test, coming up positive for an anabolic steroid. In August, shortly after baseball suspended Palmeiro for 10 days, Davis said Congress would look into whether the player committed perjury.
''We have a responsibility, an obligation, to investigate it, and that's what we've done," Davis said.
Davis said the steroid for which Palmeiro tested positive is detectable for three to four weeks, shorter than the gap between his failed test and Capitol Hill appearance, and therefore ''could not have been in his system the day he testified."
Shortly after the report's release, Palmeiro, 41, issued a statement.
''I am pleased that after a thorough investigation -- one in which I cooperated fully -- the committee has chosen to drop this matter," he said. ''I want to express my gratitude to the committee for the fairness and professionalism with which they conducted their business. I have never intentionally taken steroids and I strongly oppose the illegal use of steroids by athletes or anyone else."

Source: http://www.boston.com/

Notes: Rays players are hot topics

11/11/2005
ST. PETERSBURG -- Devil Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recapped the just-concluded general managers meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., by saying there was a lot of interest in Rays players.
Among the more prominent rumors circulating is a potential deal that has reliever Danys Baez and outfielder/first baseman Aubrey Huff going to the Mets for a package including several young pitchers. Another rumor has shortstop Julio Lugo going to the Braves, where incumbent shortstop Rafael Furcal is set to test the free agent market.
"We had a lot of interest in a lot of our players," Friedman said. "It's hard to say who drew the most interest -- Lugo's up there, Joey Gathright, Baez [and] Huff. At this point, it's hard to determine how much of it is genuine interest."
Friedman said he worked well together during the meeting with Gerry Hunsicker, the team's newly appointed senior vice president of baseball operations.
Keeping touch with the top prospects: Friedman left the general managers meetings Thursday to talk to top prospect Delmon Young, who expressed negative sentiments toward the organization in September after not being called up to the Majors in September.
Friedman said the meeting went well and "it wasn't about reflecting on the past."
Friedman also talked with B.J. Upton's agent, Larry Reynolds, about his client's situation.
"I feel good about our relationship with [each of the prospects]," Friedman said.
While both prospects are likely to start the 2006 season in the Minor Leagues, gauging how far each is from the Major Leagues will be a big offseason decision for the Rays. Remaining in the Minor Leagues might be critical for Upton if he wants to continue playing shortstop. There has been a lot of talk about moving him to third base.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Pirates set 40-man roster

11/18/2005
The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have added the following players to their 40-man roster:
Yurendell DeCaster (INF) - Selected in minor league Rule 5 draft from Tampa Bay on 12/11/00...Originally signed by Devil Rays as a free agent on 8/2/96...Spent entire 2005 season with Indianapolis, where he made 28 appearances at third base, 25 at first base, 13 at second base and 58 in the outfield...Hit .280 with 11 home runs and 61 RBI...Led club in games played (122) and doubles (31)...Native of Curacao, was one of three players to hit three home runs in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, while playing with Team Netherlands.
Javier Guzman (INF) - Signed by Pittsburgh as a non-drafted free agent on 8/19/00...Split 2005 season between Lynchburg (A) and Altoona (AA) and batted .279 with eight home runs and 59 RBI in 137 games with the two clubs...Was named to Carolina League mid-season All-Star team...Led league with seven triples...Rated by Baseball America as having the "Best Infield Arm" in the Pittsburgh minor league system prior to the 2005 campaign.
Josh Sharpless (RHP) - Pittsburgh's 24th round selection in 2003 June draft...Beaver County (PA) native began 2005 season with Lynchburg (A) and went 3-0 with five saves and a 0.00 ERA in 17 relief appearances...Surrendered just one unearned run in 27.0 innings of work before being promoted to Double-A Altoona, where he went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA (9.1ip/3er) in seven outings...Graduate of Freedom (PA) High School led North Coast Athletic Conference with 84 strikeouts during his senior season at Allegheny College...Has gone 11-3 with a 2.35 ERA in 90 professional appearances over the last three seasons.
Craig Stansberry (INF) - Pittsburgh's 5th round selection in 2003 June draft...Three-year pro who batted a combined .258 with 21 home runs and 86 RBI in 140 games between Lynchburg and Altoona in 2005...His 11 triples at the Double-A level ranked second among Eastern League leaders...Ranked first among all Pittsburgh farmhands in games played and third in RBI. ...Also made one appearance with Indianapolis during the International League Championship Series...Was a member of the 2003 NCAA champion Rice University baseball team.
The Pirates also announced today that they have designated for assignment pitcher Jeff Miller, infielder Bobby Hill and outfielders Tike Redman and Michael Restovich. In addition, the club reinstated pitchers Sean Burnett and John Van Benschoten, along with infielder Jose Castillo and outfielder Chris Duffy from the 60-day disabled list.
The 40-man roster now contains 40 players (20 pitchers, 3 catchers, 10 infielders and 7 outfielders).

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/

Washington reels in Marlon

11/18/2005
In a move to strengthen their bench, the Nationals signed free agent infielder Marlon Anderson to a two-year, $1.85 million contract on Friday.
The left-handed-hitting Anderson played for the Mets last season and hit .264 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. But it was his work off the bench that stood out. A career .308 (45-for-146) hitter with seven home runs in the pinch, Anderson went 18-for-56 (.321) with one home run and six RBIs off the bench last season for the Mets.
Anderson, 31, ranked among National League leaders in both pinch-hits and pinch-hit batting average. He also hit .351 (13-for-37) with one home run and three RBIs against the Nationals.
"I consider Marlon like Lenny Harris," general manager Jim Bowden said. "He has adjusted from being an everyday player to a guy coming off the bench. He also has good makeup."
Anderson, who was an everyday player with the Phillies and Devil Rays, said he was able to adjust to the role as a pinch-hitter starting in 2004 because of Mitchell Page, who is now the Nationals' Minor League hitting coordinator. Anderson and Page worked together in 2004 when they were with the Cardinals.
"It's the mental adjustments," Anderson said. "It's accepting the role. After not playing every day, I could have easily given up and jeopardized my career. Mitch is a hard-working guy. He will do whatever you need and he is positive. You can't beat that. He was a guy that was willing to work with everybody from me to Albert Pujols."
The Anderson signing was made in part because Washington didn't have a pinch-hitter who could hit for power and drive in runs off the bench. Anderson can play first base, second base and the outfield, and a player of his caliber was needed this past season when second baseman Jose Vidro and first baseman Nick Johnson went on the disabled list.
The Nationals had to use Jamey Carroll to replace Vidro and Carlos Baerga to play in Johnson's spot. Neither Carroll nor Baerga had the consistency that Anderson provided for the Mets. Washington even tried to use Ryan Church as one of its main pinch-hitters, but he had a tough time adjusting to the role.
The Anderson signing also means that the Nationals have a plethora of backup infielders, including Carroll, Damian Jackson, Bernie Castro, Junior Spivey, Brendan Harris, Rick Short and Tony Blanco. This gives Washington the leverage to trade some of these backup infielders. Carroll and Spivey are the two players most likely to be dealt before the start of Spring Training.
Carroll, a Frank Robinson favorite, said he realizes he is in for some stiff competition if he isn't dealt.
"It makes it tougher to find a spot and see where I fit on this team," Carroll said. "We signed a couple of infielders. For the team, it strengthens the club. Anderson is a good role player. He has done a great job wherever he has been."
Anderson said he signed with the Nationals because the team showed interest in him the moment he filed for free agency.
"They let it be known that they had interest in me. Things with New York didn't pan out the way I thought," Anderson said. "The Nationals gave me an offer. With the things that I do [off the bench], I thought it was a fair deal. It was more than anybody else was offering."
"We made a good attempt to sign him," Mets GM Omar Minaya said. "We brought him in last year as a non-roster guy and he was a guy who did a good job for us. Washington went to two years with him and we felt that for that kind of role, we'd like to stay with one year."

Source: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/

Piniella not interested in Dodgers' job

11/20/2005
Former Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella will not be a candidate for the Dodgers' managerial vacancy. Piniella, whom the Devil Rays let out of his contract last month, told Dodgers GM Ned Colletti on Saturday that the timing isn't right for him to return to the dugout. "He was very flattered that we were considering him," said Colletti, who spoke with Piniella by phone for about 15 minutes. "I don't want to put words in his mouth, but the way he put it was that he feels his tank is empty right now. He doesn't think he can do the job the way he wants to do it.
"He said if this was a year from now, he would have been all over it."
Colletti and three high-ranking members of his staff met with Atlanta special assistant Jim Fregosi on Saturday, making Fregosi the first candidate to be formally interviewed for the job since Colletti was named the Dodgers' GM on Wednesday. The meeting took place in the Tampa Bay area, where Fregosi lives and where Colletti attended San Francisco GM Brian Sabean's wedding on Friday night.
Colletti also met privately with Dodgers player development director Terry Collins, another Tampa Bay resident. He was former GM Paul DePodesta's choice for the job, but that ended when DePodesta was fired on Oct. 29.

Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/

Maddon to leave Halos for T.B.

11/14/2005
Long time Angels bench coach Joe Maddon is expected to be named the new manager of the Devil Rays on Tuesday, according to a report on the team's Web site.
Maddon, bench coach from 1996 to 2005, is a former minor league catcher who has been in the Angels organization for 28 years.
He has been a Major League coach for the last 12 seasons and was a candidate for the Red Sox job before Terry Francona was hired in 2003.
Before his first interview, Maddon said he received a 47-page e-mail from Tampa Bay explaining the team's direction and he came away impressed.
"Athletically (the Devil Rays are) among the best in the American League," said Maddon, who called the team an "interesting group of talent."
-- From staff reports
Busch suspended
Roush Racing put up with Kurt Busch's reputation for reckless driving on the track. When the defending Nextel Cup champion was accused of doing it in his own car, the team had seen enough.
Busch was suspended Sunday for the remainder of the NASCAR season after his run-in with police, who said he smelled of alcohol and was belligerent during a traffic stop Friday night.
"It's the last straw for Roush Racing," team president Geoff Smith said Sunday. "We're officially retiring as Kurt Busch's apologists, effective today."
Federer wins opener
Not quite sure what to expect of his game, Roger Federer began his bid for a third straight Tennis Masters Cup title in Sganghai with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over David Nalbandian.
Federer, recovering from a sprained ankle, was playing his first match in seven weeks and moved smoothly against the eighth-seeded Argentine in the season-ending championship.
In the day's other match, sixth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia defeated fourth-seeded Guillermo Coria of Argentina 6-2, 6-3. Ljubicic, making his Masters Cup debut, has reached the final in four of his last five tournaments.
Briefly
Geno Auriemma, who has coached Connecticut to five national titles, will enter the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame this spring with one other coach and four players.
The MLS is closer to expanding into Canada. The league's board of governors approved an expansion application from Toronto-based Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the eve of the league's 10th championship.

Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/

Options and uncertainties for Epstein

November 2, 2005
In the basement offices at the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Yawkey Way, Theo Epstein and members of his baseball operations department gathered at about 8 Monday night. They opened a beer and reminisced about Epstein's brief and celebrated 35-month tenure as the 11th general manager in the Red Sox' 105-year existence.
Up the stairs, and just outside, camera crews gathered, seeking to capture Epstein leaving Fenway Park on the day he rejected a lucrative offer to extend his contract for three years at $1.5 million per season, choosing personal happiness over prestige and wealth. As the collection of young men brought together by baseball and bound by shared experience recounted their time together, they came to a most pressing question: How could they get Epstein out of the building without facing the camera crush?
Conveniently, Monday night happened to be Halloween night, and someone in the office happened to have a gorilla costume handy. Epstein, according to a baseball operations employee, slipped into the suit, walked out of Gate D, and strolled by the cameras, a smile on his concealed face.
That said, do not be shocked to see Epstein entering or leaving the glass door at 4 Yawkey Way this week. In his statement Monday night, Epstein said he would continue working for several days in preparation for the general managers' meetings, which begin Monday in Palm Springs, Calif. He was at Fenway yesterday and is expected to be working this week, both out of his Boston residence and his former Fenway office.
He is not, however, expected to attend the GM meetings, meaning that at some point this week -- Sunday is the likeliest day -- he'll leave Fenway feeling that his relationship with the club has indeed come to an end.And then what? What comes next for the son of Brookline with an impeccable resume and a World Series ring, who turns 32 Dec. 29?
A baseball executive with a relationship with Epstein said last night that he believes there's only a ''10-20 percent chance" Epstein is completely out of baseball for the coming year. The executive said there's a ''60-70 percent chance" Epstein works in baseball this year in a non-GM capacity.
''Time off may be somewhat appealing to him," the executive said. ''That said, he realizes GM jobs are few, and he is far from burned out."
As of last night, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Associated Press were reporting that Pat Gillick had accepted the Phillies' GM job, leaving only two openings, in Los Angeles (the Dodgers) and Tampa Bay.
Does Epstein work with a team in an advisory role, to remain plugged into the game until a GM job to his liking opens? Or, does he leave baseball entirely, and do something less glamorous but personally satisfying, such as social work, the occupation of his twin brother, Paul?

Source: http://www.boston.com/

Devil Rays to add former Houston GM to front office

Nov. 2, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are expected to hire former Houston general manager Gerry Hunsicker as a team executive, the latest move in their front-office makeover.
The Devil Rays, who began discussions with Hunsicker last month, scheduled a Thursday afternoon announcement "regarding the team's new baseball operations department."
Tampa Bay is looking for a new general manager, but it's unclear what role Hunsicker would fill. Indications are that he would not assume the title of GM, a position that has been vacant since the Devil Rays fired Chuck LaMar last month.
Hunsicker, who was with the Astros for nine seasons before resigning last year, did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Hunsicker helped assemble a Houston team that reached the NL Championship Series in his final season of 2004. The Astros won the pennant this year before being swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.
New principal owner Stuart Sternberg took over control of the Devil Rays from former managing general partner Vincent Naimoli last month. Among Sternberg's first moves were to fire LaMar and expand the duties of young executives Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman.
Silverman, 29, and Friedman, 28, have been leading the search for a new manager. They trimmed the list of candidates to three finalists on Tuesday, and Hunsicker is expected to help them decide between former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon and incumbent Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren.
The 55-year-old Hunsicker was in the running to become Philadelphia's GM until Pat Gillick was hired by the Phillies on Wednesday.

Source: http://cbs.sportsline.com/

New Devil Rays owner making right moves -- and I'm buying in

November 6, 2005
You may not know Stuart Sternberg from Steve Guttenberg, but just know the new Tampa Bay Devil Rays owner has done something previously considered impossible.Sternberg's accomplishment is more amazing than the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to shut down Terrell Owens.It's more amazing than Coca-Cola's decision to nix Vanilla Coke.It's more amazing than the idea of Allen Iverson having to purchase dress slacks.Sternberg's feat?He has made baseball relevant in Tampa Bay.On Thursday, Sternberg introduced Gerry Hunsicker as the Devil Rays' senior vice president, just one of several perfect strikes the new owner has thrown since taking over a month ago.Sternberg convinced a guy who spent nine seasons with the Astros to join an organization that made the Washington Generals look like the New York Yankees.That should tell you something about Sternberg's charisma and the unbelievable progress he has made in altering the perception of the D-Rays.First, he sweet-talked fans by announcing there would be free parking at D-Rays games, and fans could bring in their own food. And now the 46-year-old principal owner has hired an experienced baseball guy with a solid reputation.For an owner, this is being "in the zone.""Stuart Sternberg is a breath of fresh air," Hunsicker said.Fresh air and Devil Rays?Excuse us if we clutch our chests, a la Fred Sanford, because nobody around here is used to Tampa Bay's baseball team being associated with anything other than futility.It's usually not wise to sip the Kool-Aid that is poured by any new management team. They all promise to spend more money, strengthen community ties and turn the team into a contender. Sternberg is no different.But in this case, I'm sipping it. There is hope and belief in Tampa, which Vince Naimoli destroyed after a horrible eight-year reign.Now, this doesn't mean the D-Rays will appear in the World Series in 2006, but Sternberg already has made Tampa Bay the most improved team in Major League Baseball.Take that, Vince the Grinch."Our goal is to transform the Rays into a premier organization," Sternberg said last month.The only way things were going to change in Tampa Bay is if an owner was daring enough to make decisions without feeling obligated to tradition.

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/

UPI NewsTrack Sports

11/10/2005
SOUTH BEND, Ind., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Notre Dame and Navy Midshipmen Thursday announced the two schools have agreed to a 10-year contract extension.
The deal means the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in the country -- which began in 1927 -- will continue until at least 2016.
The 2006 game will be played in Baltimore and already is under contract.
"This extension is important for both schools for a number of reasons," said Navy director of athletics Chet Gladchuk. "I am pleased we have been able to continue the series which is a highlight for our student-athletes and fans every fall."
The Irish will host the game every other year starting in 2007, and Navy will be the home team for four of the even-year contests. The sites for those contests are yet to be determined.
The 2012 game will be played in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 1.
Notre Dame has won the last 41 games in the series.

Source: http://www.upi.com/

Street expected to nab honors for top rookie

Monday, November 7, 2005
Bobby Crosby got the big prize one year ago, and now one of his teammates is the favorite to follow him as the American League Rookie of the Year.
A's closer Huston Street, 22, already has pocketed the top AL rookie honors given this fall (the Baseball America, Sporting News and Players' Choice awards), but he is facing strong competition. The league had a standout class of first-year players, including four in Oakland: Street, starter Joe Blanton, outfielder Nick Swisher and first baseman Dan Johnson.
Other candidates: Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, Toronto starter Gustavo Chacin and Tampa Bay outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Street, however, might stand alone. He broke camp with the A's less than a year after being drafted, a compensation-round pick out of Texas. When Octavio Dotel's season ended in May because of an elbow injury, Street took over the closer role and was one of the tops in the game, saving 23 of 27 opportunities (including 18 in a row at one point) and finishing third in ERA (1.72) among all major-league relievers. His 23 saves established an Oakland record for rookies.
"It's unbelievable what Huston did this season,'' A's manager Ken Macha said. "With a young pitcher, you just hope he'll be able to handle soft situations, but to do what he did, handle the toughest situations, including in the pennant race, it's absolutely tremendous.''
Blanton had an excellent season, too, going 12-12 with a 3.53 ERA, tops among rookie starters and 10th-best overall in the league.
"I'd give (the award) to Huston, but Blanton should get a lot of votes,'' Macha said. "He's being totally ignored, and what he did was amazing.''
Street has spent the past five weeks at home in Austin, Texas, trying not to think too much about today's award.
"You try not to focus on it,'' Street said by phone on Sunday, "but you are. It's not like you don't want to win it. ... I'll keep my fingers crossed I get good news.''
Most of the offseason, Street has been concentrating on working out, which he does five times a week with a personal trainer, and watching his younger brother, play strong safety -- Hanson Street's Westlake High School won a 31-30 thriller with 31 seconds for the district championship Friday, Huston Street reported proudly.
Elsewhere, Billy Beane will be in Indian Wells (Riverside County) today and Tuesday for the annual general managers' meetings. Oakland is on the lookout for a right-handed hitter, particularly one with power, so the A's front office is likely to begin laying the foundation for trade talks. The A's usually go the trade route rather than examining the free-agent market, especially seeking players they can retain at relatively low cost for several years.
In order to get a productive bat, then, the A's might need to deal 2002 Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, who is entering his final season before free agency. The Mets might dangle hotshot outfield prospect Lastings Milledge, and the Diamondbacks have young outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson (from Cal) and outfielder Carlos Quentin (from Stanford) who have intrigued the A's in previous years.
Tampa Bay needs pitching and wouldn't require someone of Zito's caliber in return; a package that included Kirk Saarloos might do the trick.
The Devil Rays are shopping left-handed hitter Aubrey Huff, but Huff will be owed $6.75 million in the final year of his contract, so another possibility might be Gomes, who is from Petaluma.
There are also some free agents on the downside of their careers who might come at a reduced rate, such as Frank Thomas or Mike Piazza, but the A's signed Eric Karros in such circumstances two years ago and it was not a success. They then passed on Juan Gonzalez last year.

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/

MLB Trade Rumor: Julio Lugo

Word on the street is that Julio Lugo will be on the move this winter. According to the Tampa Tribune:
"While the Rays received several inquiries about closer Danys Baez and outfielder Aubrey Huff at the GM meetings, shortstop Julio Lugo drew the most intense interest from the Braves, who are not expected to re-sign shortstop Rafael Furcal."
Given the weak shortstop market, it makes a lot of sense for the Devil Rays to trade Lugo now. Lugo is under contract for a very reasonable $4.95MM for 2006. He's evolved into a decent leadoff hitter. Last year he put up a .295/.362/.403 mark and went 39 for 50 in stolen base attempts.
Just as the Braves needed to have a proven Closer in tow before the 2005 season, they'll probably want a known commodity at shortstop in '06. While Lugo can't quite match Furcal, he's still a top five shortstop.
For fantasy baseball purposes, I would expect Lugo to steal 30 bases again as a Brave. I'm not so sure about Lugo maintaining the .290 batting average. He's a career .276 hitter, and batting averages fluctuate year to year. I project Lugo to right at his career average in 2006. (Bold, huh?) Given that he'd probably only help your fantasy team in steals, you should pursue a more offensively well-rounded shortstop.
Speaking of well-rounded shortstops, I have to assume that a Lugo trade would pave the way for B.J. Upton. You may recall that I picked Upton as the #1 impact rookie in fantasy baseball for 2006.
Upton has incredible plate discipline and good power for a shortstop. In a full 2006 season, I expect him to hit .290 with 15 HR, 25 steals, and 90 runs scored. That's my conservative projection based on his minor league record. A lot depends on whether the new D-Rays manager has faith in Upton and lets him work through his defensive problems. Hopefully B.J. will bat near the top of the order, in the #2 spot.

Source: http://www.rotoauthority.com/

Valentine to sign fresh three-year contract with Japan's Lotte

Fri Nov 11,2005
TOKYO (AFP) - American baseball manager Bobby Valentine has all but signed a fresh, three-year contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines worth an estimated 10 million dollars, keeping him in Japan after reported US offers.
"Details are still being discussed by the lawyers of the both sides, but they are only a formality," Lotte representative Ryuzo Setoyama said Friday, according to Jiji Press.
Valentine led the Marines to sweep the Japan Series last month for the first time in 31 years in an effort that Japanese baseball fans called "Bobby Magic."
"We want him to lead the team for the second and third championship for fans in Chiba prefecture and in Japan," Setoyama said.
The 55-year-old former New York Mets manager had been reportedly eyeing the
Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the next season.
For his contribution to Japanese baseball, Valentine was awarded the prestigious Shoriki Award, the first time that the award went to a person born outside of Japan.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/

Rays homegames put kink in Pinellas graduation plans

November 11, 2005
Just as most Pinellas County high schools were warming to the idea of using Tropicana Field for graduation ceremonies, Major League Baseball threw them a curve.
Baseball's decision to schedule a mid-May 2006 series of home games for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays has forced nine schools that held commencement there last year to scramble for other venues.
Five schools have opted for Progress Energy Park, which is close to Tropicana Field and near the downtown waterfront. One school will host graduation at its home field, and one will use Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Two schools will travel to the University of South Florida Sun Dome in Tampa.
It will be the first time Pinellas schools have used Progress Energy Park for commencement, said Jan Rouse, an associate superintendent who is overseeing graduations this year. It also will be the first time a school has held a graduation outside of Pinellas County.
Devil Rays officials told the district about the scheduling conflict in August.
"It was the second call we made," said Rick Vaughan, vice president of public relations for Tropicana Field. "The first was to the league to see if there was any way it could reconsider."
But while the league has tried to accommodate the school district in the past, it has 30 ball clubs to satisfy, Vaughan said.
"Some years we've gotten that window granted to us and certain years we haven't," he said. "Unfortunately, 2006 is one of those years when we didn't get it."
To provide an alternative, the Devil Rays helped arrange for schools to use Progress Energy Park, the club's spring training complex.
"It was kind of like saying, "My living room is taken, but maybe you can use my back yard,' " said Caren Gramley, Tropicana Field's booking coordinator.
Long a graduation venue for a few schools, Tropicana Field became the location of choice for nine of the district's 16 high schools last year after the Times Arena at Bayfront Center, another popular graduation site, was demolished in 2004.
The 1.1-million-square-foot "Trop" met the schools' two main criteria: adequate seating and shelter from unpredictable spring weather.
Dixie Hollins High assistant principal Deb Fabrizio said she was disappointed the school couldn't get Tropicana Field this year. But she is pleased with Progress Energy Park.
"Other than the air conditioning, it shouldn't be one bit different," she said. "There is plenty of parking, plenty of seating, and it's got a beautiful setting right on the water. It's perfect."

Source: http://www.sptimes.com/

Maddon to leave Halos for T.B.

11/14/2005
Long time Angels bench coach Joe Maddon is expected to be named the new manager of the Devil Rays on Tuesday, according to a report on the team's Web site.
Maddon, bench coach from 1996 to 2005, is a former minor league catcher who has been in the Angels organization for 28 years.
He has been a Major League coach for the last 12 seasons and was a candidate for the Red Sox job before Terry Francona was hired in 2003.
Before his first interview, Maddon said he received a 47-page e-mail from Tampa Bay explaining the team's direction and he came away impressed.
"Athletically (the Devil Rays are) among the best in the American League," said Maddon, who called the team an "interesting group of talent."
-- From staff reports
Busch suspended
Roush Racing put up with Kurt Busch's reputation for reckless driving on the track. When the defending Nextel Cup champion was accused of doing it in his own car, the team had seen enough.
Busch was suspended Sunday for the remainder of the NASCAR season after his run-in with police, who said he smelled of alcohol and was belligerent during a traffic stop Friday night.
"It's the last straw for Roush Racing," team president Geoff Smith said Sunday. "We're officially retiring as Kurt Busch's apologists, effective today."

Federer wins opener

Not quite sure what to expect of his game,Roger Federer began his bid for a third straight Tennis Masters Cup title in Sganghai with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over David Nalbandian.
Federer, recovering from a sprained ankle, was playing his first match in seven weeks and moved smoothly against the eighth-seeded Argentine in the season-ending championship.
In the day's other match, sixth-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia defeated fourth-seeded Guillermo Coria of Argentina 6-2, 6-3. Ljubicic, making his Masters Cup debut, has reached the final in four of his last five tournaments.
Briefly
Geno Auriemma, who has coached Connecticut to five national titles, will enter the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame this spring with one other coach and four players.
The MLS is closer to expanding into Canada. The league's board of governors approved an expansion application from Toronto-based Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the eve of the league's 10th championship.

Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/

Big manager's chair belongs to Maddon

Tue, Nov. 15, 2005
Joe Maddon was a baseball player. So what was he doing walking past the baseball field? Going to football practice, sure. He was a freshman at Lafayette College and the quarterback on the freshman team. And it was fall in Easton, Pa. The leaves were turning. The air was chilly.
Hut one. Hut two. Hike.
There was fall baseball, the team was practicing.
"And I said that's not right. I should be over there playing baseball," Maddon recalled Sunday. "So I retired from football."
He was a baseball player whose career lasted four years in the California Angels' organization before he took off the catcher's gear for good and became a coach.
What Maddon really is is a baseball man.
A minor league coach. A minor league manager. A big league coach, first down in the bullpen then later on the bench. He filled in as major league manager on several occasions, working as an interim skipper. You couldn't say he was keeping the seat warm until the big guy returned or until another was hired because Maddon wouldn't sit in the chair behind the desk in the manager's office out of respect for the position.
No, when Maddon finally fills that seat, it will be because that seat is his.
There's a high-back, swivel chair in the spacious manager's office inside the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' clubhouse. For the past three summers, it belonged to Lou Piniella. Now it belongs to Maddon, who will be introduced at noon today as the fourth manager in the team's history.
The overwhelming reaction is: Joe who?
And it's natural since the Rays just hired a man who spent the last 31 years operating in the background of the Angels' organization. Say this about the 51-year-old Maddon, he is loyal.
Check out his favorite football team - the Arizona Cardinals.
"I've been a Cardinals fan since 1962 or '64," Maddon said.
So . . . you're the one.
Bigger names interviewed for the Rays' job. Former Detroit Tigers manager Alan Trammell and Atlanta Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton. Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt was a late entry. Joe Girardi, who served as Joe Torre's bench coach with the New York Yankees last season, appeared the early favorite before taking the job with the Florida Marlins.
The Rays even flirted with Bobby Valentine, who managed the Texas Rangers and took the New York Mets to the 2000 World Series and just won the Japan series with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
They decided on Maddon because he better fits the organization's new concept. Outside of the four in-house candidates, Maddon was the best-prepared, bringing a thick binder to his initial interview stuffed with the findings of his research on the Rays.
Maddon was the Angels' bench coach when they won the 2002 World Series, so he knows a little about winning. He's also been a member of some bad Angels teams, so he knows what losing smells like.
He's been a part of a staff that was able to move from one end of the standings to the other, which is what the Rays' new front office swears is their intention.
Maddon's reputation is that of someone who's part old school, part new school. He knows his way around a computer and can interpret data, but he can also read a player's mannerisms. He won't need a computer to figure out when Aubrey Huff is in a slump or a printout to show him which buttons to push to get a little more out of Toby Hall. He's supposed to be a whiz working with younger players, and we know the Rays have cornered the market on those.
Maddon comes from outside the organization, which keeps in step with the "Under Construction" theme. The team could have hired Piniella's bench coach, John McLaren, and kept a little continuity in the manager's office. This way, they import fresh ideas and maybe create a little uneasiness in the clubhouse come spring training.
Goodness knows that won't hurt.
The Rays hand him a team that will have a small payroll and needs much work, and Maddon knows this. It was included in the binder he brought to his first interview last month.
Maddon left that meeting and declared he and the Rays a perfect fit.
Time will tell, but for now it feels good. Just like fall baseball practice 33 years ago at Lafayette and the high-back, swivel chair in the manager's office that awaits the new manager.

Source: http://www.bradenton.com/

Cardinals sign 14 players to minor league contracts

Tue, Nov. 15, 2005
ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals signed 14 players to minor league contracts on Monday and added one of them, catcher Michel Hernandez, to the 40-man roster.
Hernandez, 27, spent all last season at Triple-A Portland in the San Diego Padres system and batted .288 with three home runs and 31 RBIs in 82 games. He played six years in the Yankees organization from 1998-2003 and played five games in the major leagues in 2003 with New York.
Five players from the team's minor league system were re-signed, including right-hander Andy Cavazos, left-fielder Randy Leek, infielders Juan Diaz and Milko Jaramillo, and outfielder Brian Martin.
Cavazos was 2-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 51 relief appearance for Class A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield. Leek, a starter, was 15-7 with a 3.83 ERA at Springfield. Diaz, a first baseman/DH at Springfield, batted .308 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs.
Jaramillo played 55 games at Springfield before a late season call-up to Triple-A Memphis where he batted .395 in 20 games. Martin hit .297 with five homers and 38 RBIs in 60 games for Palm Beach.
Others agreeing to contracts were left-handers Rich Rundles and Sam Walton, right-handers Brad Voyles and John Webb, catchers Brent Cordell and Brian Esposito, infielder Ramon Nivar and outfielder Prentice Redman.
Devil Rays
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have hired Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon as manager, six weeks after beginning their search to replace Lou Piniella.
The team confirmed Maddon's hiring Monday. The St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune reported in Monday editions that the team selected Maddon over incumbent Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren the day before.
"I'm very happy, excited, eager, all those things," Maddon told the Times. "It's a great situation and I'm really looking forward to it."
The Devil Rays scheduled a news conference for today. Maddon did not immediately return phone messages left by The Associated Press.
Maddon, 51, inherits a team with a promising nucleus of young talent that made the job attractive.
Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay's new executive vice president of baseball operations, interviewed nine candidates and also had discussions with former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.
The selection of Maddon over McLaren brings yet another fresh face to the Devil Rays, who have undergone a massive overhaul in the front office in the past six weeks. He has been was been a coach with the Angels for the past 12 seasons, with much of that time spent as manager Mike Scioscia's right-hand man.
The other candidates were Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, former Detroit manager Alan Trammell and Atlanta batting coach Terry Pendleton.
Former New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi also interviewed with Tampa Bay before the Florida Marlins hired him as their manager.
Dodgers
Texas Rangers executive John Hart has withdrawn as a candidate for the Los Angeles Dodgers' general manager's job.
The 57-year-old Hart resigned as GM of the Rangers on Oct. 4. He had talked with Dodgers owner Frank McCourt in early November.
"I want to thank Frank McCourt for the opportunity to speak with him regarding his opening. I enjoyed speaking to him," Hart said. "However, I have indicated to Texas owner Tom Hicks my desire to remain with the Rangers. Therefore, I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the general manager's job with the Dodgers."
Current Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng and assistant San Francisco Giants GM Ned Colletti are believed to be the leading candidates to succeed Paul DePodesta, fired as general manager of the Dodgers on Oct. 29.
Dodgers spokeswoman Camille Johnston said Monday the team has "narrowed the field, and the general manager's search is moving forward."
Yankees
Hideki Matsui's agent and the New York Yankees neared agreement Monday on a four-year contract worth about $50 million.
Arn Tellem and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman faced an end-of-Tuesday deadline to reach a deal. Matsui's first contract with the Yankees states that if there is no agreement by then, New York must place the outfielder on unconditional release waivers, which would mean the Yankees could not re-sign him until May 15.
Matsui is coming off a three-year contract that guaranteed him $21 million, and Cashman and Tellem have been optimistic about striking a deal by the deadline. Matsui hit .305 with 23 homers and 116 RBIs last season.

Source: http://www.belleville.com/

MLBPA, owners nearing steroids agreement

NEW YORK (AP) -- After repeated prodding by Congress, baseball players and owners are nearing an agreement that would toughen the penalties for using steroids.
Negotiators would not discuss the talks, which began last spring. Several player agents said in recent days that the sides were making progress toward a deal, though they did not have direct knowledge of the bargaining.
"Last I heard, the sides were really close," Kansas City Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney said Monday.
Representatives of management and the union will head to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for a meeting with House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., to discuss their progress toward a stiffer testing agreement, Davis spokesman Dave Marin wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Davis' committee held the March 17 hearing at which Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco and other players and baseball officials testified -- and where lawmakers soundly criticized the sport's steroid penalties as too lax.
Yankees, Matsui nearing
agreement

Source: http://www.poconorecord.com/