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News Archive for January 16-31, 2002
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January 31, 2002
Beantown Confidential
Chris Colston, Baseball Weekly
In Boston they say this Red Sox sale stinks. They’re calling it a bag job. That the fix was in from the start.
New Sox owners order own study of Fenway Park
Scott Van Voorhis, Boston Herald
Incoming Red Sox owner John Henry is feeling “upbeat” about the potential for rebuilding creaky Fenway Park after spending part of the day examining the old ballpark with a top architectural expert.
January 28, 2002
You don’t know him: Greg Montalbano, Red Sox
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
In his first professional season, Greg Montalbano went 9-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) with the Class-A Sarasota Red Sox of the Florida State League. After racking up 77 strikeouts in 91.1 innings for the SaraSox, the 24-year-old southpaw was promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder in July. He finished the 2001 season by going 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 10 starts for the Thunder.
January 26, 2002
The Red Sox announced 18 non-roster invitees to Spring Training
mlb.com, AP and Boston Globe
Outfielders: Edgard Clemente, Damon Buford
Infielders: Carlos Baerga, James Lofton, Todd Betts, Bryant Nelson, Freddy Sanchez
Catchers: Luis Rodriguez, Kelly Ramos, Steve Lomasney
Left-handed pitchers: Butch Henry, Tim Young, Rolando Viera
Right-handed pitchers: Jamie Brewington, Ryo Kumagai, Michael Drumright, Derek Hasselhoff, Santos Hernandez
Williams said to be stable — Hospital says he’s resting comfortably
Jim McBride, Boston Globe
Red Sox legend Ted Williams was ”resting comfortably” last night, according to a statement released by Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he has spent the last two nights.
January 25, 2002
Cause for concern — Williams hospitalized, but improving after scare
Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe
When you’re an aging, infirm legend, every trip to the hospital can cause overreaction. Just ask Ted Williams. Williams, 83, who has suffered two strokes and requires daily kidney dialysis, had a 100-degree temperature and low blood pressure yesterday when he was examined at his Florida home. Family members thought it would be best if the former Red Sox slugger went to the hospital, so he was transferred, via ambulance, to Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.
Williams was given fluids and antibiotics in the intensive care unit, and his vital signs improved. But by late afternoon, the Red Sox and Williams’s son were hearing reports the Splendid Splinter was dead.
Williams back in hospital: Red Sox legend ‘not in danger’
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
Red Sox legend Ted Williams was hospitalized yesterday, but his condition was reportedly not serious. … “It looks as if his low blood pressure was caused by a cold,” said a baseball source who spoke to John Henry Williams after Ted Williams was admitted. “He’s doing fine. This is just a bad cold. He’s just resting comfortably. His condition is fair, I believe. He’s not in any danger right now. Hopefully, he’ll be fine.”
The Numbers (Part Five): National and Other Local Expenses
Doug Pappas, baseballprospectus.com
The black hole of MLB’s financial disclosures is titled “National and Other Local Expenses.” This category includes all operating expenses other than those associated with players on the 40-man roster. Legitimate expenses in this category include salaries for managers, coaches, and scouts; signing bonuses for draftees and foreign free agents; the farm system; stadium expenses; front-office payrolls; and the cost of operating Major League Baseball’s central office in New York.
Amazin’ Aide Bosox Bound?
Michael Morrissey, New York Post
Met assistant general manager Jim Duquette is reportedly on a short list of candidates for the GM job with the Red Sox. And although the new Boston ownership group has yet to take control of the club, it’s believed incoming Red Sox president Larry Lucchino wants to fire current GM Dan Duquette and possibly interview his cousin, Jim, for the opening within the next few weeks.
January 23, 2002
Garces fed up, asks Sox for trade
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
Rich “El Guapo” Garces asked to be traded yesterday. Upset with the Red Sox for not following through on their assurance to ink him to a long-term deal and dreading the prospect of going through the arbitration process for the third year in a row, the reliever decided that asking out now makes the most sense. “… It’s like I haven’t done anything for the team these last few years. Every year it’s the same thing – arbitration. You never know, I might have to go to Australia or Africa this year for a hearing. … I’ve proven every year I can get anyone in the major leagues out.”
Hefty ticket hike on deck for Red Sox
Scott Van Voorhis, Boston Herald
The cost of going to Fenway Park could take a dramatic leap in the next few weeks, as Red Sox brass weigh a hefty hike to what are already Major League Baseball’s most expensive tickets, sources say.
Q&A With Roger Clemens — He’s not planning to retire soon but has an idea what cap he’ll wear in the Hall of Fame
Mike Hiserman, Los Angeles Times
Q: What are your main goals before you retire, and how would you like to be remembered?
A: Hopefully I can get to 300 [victories]. And if I do it in the Yankee uniform, that’s going to say a lot about what hat I wear in the Hall. …
Too bad Roger. The cap decision remains solely with the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
January 22, 2002
Charting The Brewers’ Future: Brewer Scout Tommy Tanous
Jim Goulart, brewerfan.com
Tommy Tanous scouts throughout the six New England states, much of New York state, portions of New Jersey, and up into eastern Canada. Tommy’s been with the Brewers since 1996, and earned his first job in the professional scouting ranks with the Brewers at that time as a 25-year-old. Tommy relayed numerous anecdotes with us during our in-depth conversation, and his passion and knowledge of the game he so loves was clearly evident.
Pucketts separated as wife files police report against him
Jim Adams, Pam Louwagieand La Velle E. Neal III, Minneapolis Star Tribune
According to police records, Tonya Puckett, 36, said that when she talked about her husband’s [Kirby Puckett’s] alleged infidelity he screamed over the phone that he would kill her. …
In her police report, Tonya Puckett also alleged that nine years ago, when they lived in Brooklyn Park, Puckett had choked her with a clock cord and at another time put a pistol to her face as she held their 2-year-old daughter. In a third incident, she told police, he used a power saw to cut through a door to reach her. …
Asked if he had threatened his wife with a gun nine or 10 years ago, Puckett replied, “Not that I recall.”
January 21, 2002
On wrist watch, Nomar OK
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Say this for John Henry: Just like those fans, the new Sox owner said he couldn’t wait to check on the status of shortstop Nomar Garciaparra … ”I know I’m going to be ready,” Garciaparra said. …
Shortly after the start of the new year, Garciaparra went to Arizona, where he has been putting himself through the same arduous regimen devised by his former college trainer, Mark Verstegen, that he has in previous winters. Garciaparra is 2½ weeks into the program, one he intends to follow virtually right up to the reporting date next month.
So far, he said, he has experienced no problems with the wrist. He has been hitting off a tee and occasionally against a batting machine. He has been fielding balls bounced off a wall, and has been throwing with no difficulty. ”Playing catch, normal catch,” he said. ”It’s great knowing I can just throw and not have to think about it.”
Garciaparra acknowledged that the situation surrounding the ball club was ”definitely bad” by the end of last season … [but] made a point of saying suspended outfielder Carl Everett wasn’t the problem. … ”There were other teams here that had less cohesiveness. ‘We all got along phenomenally. We all got along. It was a team that would hang out together. It was a good group of guys. … It cracks me up, people talk about looking for a leader. Is a leader someone who goes and talks to you guys [the media]? That’s not the case.” …
AG throws warning at team’s brass
Scott Van Voorhis, Boston Herald
Attorney General Tom Reilly’s … office had uncovered evidence suggesting that the Sox chief and his legal advisers undercut two additional higher bids. … [but] faced with potential years of costly litigation at taxpayer expense, Reilly has said he believes a negotiated solution was the right course. …
Charles Dolan told the attorney general that he was told by a Sox lawyer to bid $660 million in order to win the team. Dolan did, but that number simply brought him up to match Henry’s bid. … Reilly and his staff also had gathered evidence that Harrington had knocked out another potential high bidder, concessions king Joseph O’Donnell, through another behind-the-scenes maneuver.
Dolan makes another bid for the Sox
Jack Sullivan, Boston Herald
Cablevision billionaire Charles Dolan, in an attempt to get back in the game and blow up the intended Red Sox sale to a group of baseball insiders, upped his offer for the team another $40 million today, according to sources. … The billionaire will notify Sox chief John L. Harrington of the $740 million cash bid …
January 20, 2002
Which pitchers turn out quality nearly every trip to the mound?
Thom Henninger, STATS. Inc./ESPN Insider
Leaders in Quality Start Percentage — 1997-2001
GS QS Pct
Pedro Martinez, Bos 140 112 80.0
Kevin Brown, LA 155 117 75.5
Randy Johnson, Ari 167 125 74.9
Greg Maddux, Atl 169 122 72.2
Tom Glavine, Atl 171 118 69.0
Curt Schilling, Ari 158 107 67.7
Roger Clemens, NYY 162 108 66.7
Al Leiter, MYM 147 97 66.0
Chan Ho Park, LA 165 108 65.5
Mike Mussina, NYY 161 105 65.2
(minimum 100 GS)
January 19, 2002
Sox Come to Terms with Urbina and Nixon
Ugueth Urbina: 1 year, $6.7 million
Trot Nixon: 1 year, $2.7 million
Arbitration cases:
Asked Offered
Rolando Arrojo $2.8 $1.9
Rich Garces $2.6 $1.8
Brian Daubach $2.5 $2.15
Where have you gone, George Scott?
Mike Petraglia, redsox.com
His majestic home runs over Fenway Park’s Green Monster in the 1960s and ’70s gave him the nickname, “Boomer,” and his bubbling personality and powerful bat kept Red Sox teammates and fans smiling. Today, George Scott, 57, is preparing for another baseball season and a return to New England. The native of Greenville, Miss. will be the field manager of the Berkshire Bears (Pittsfield, Mass.) of the independent Northern League in 2002.
January 18, 2002
Yankees remain the class of AL East
Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News
The Yankees have left the rest of the American League East with no reason to believe they have anything to play for except a possible wild-card playoff spot. …
Boston general manager Dan Duquette didn’t get involved in the high-priced bidding in an off-season muddled by the pending sale of the team, finally approved Wednesday.
But the off-season medical reports are positive for the recoveries of right-hander Pedro Martinez and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. And the clubhouse outlook is upbeat with the trade of talented but troubled outfielder Carl Everett to Texas.
Duquette attempted to address a rotation that lost its most consistent starter of a year ago — Hideo Nomo — to free agency by trading for right-hander Dustin Hermanson and left-hander Darren Oliver, and signing right-hander John Burkett.
He took advantage of the slow marketplace to fill a glaring need for a center fielder/leadoff hitter by signing Johnny Damon. He took a gamble with the waiver claim of first baseman Tony Clark from Detroit, where there were growing concerns about his back problems. And Boston still could have a major move in the offing with a willingness to trade closer Ugueth Urbina.
Q & A with John Henry
Jim Street, mlb.com
For the first time in almost 70 years, the Boston Red Sox will not have anyone in the front office connected with the Tom Yawkey family. A new era began Wednesday afternoon when the Major League Baseball owners overwhelmingly approved the sale of the Red Sox to a group of investors headed by John Henry, who must first sell the Florida Marlins before “officially” becoming a Red Sox owner. As the two-day meetings ended Thursday afternoon, Henry took a few minutes to discuss his future with one of the most storied franchises in the game.
Harrington’s legacy
Steve Bailey, Boston Globe
John Harrington is the luckiest accountant who ever lived, the man who made a career out of sucking up to Mrs. Yawkey and then, with a 2.4 percent stake in the Red Sox, got to call himself an ”owner” of a Major League Baseball team. He was a caretaker, regularly putting a team on the field just good enough to lose and jacking up ticket prices 10 percent every year.
Sox may try to lure A’s GM Beane
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
The dismissal of general manager Dan Duquette by the Red Sox’ new owners is a near certainty. The matter of who will replace him is far less certain, but clues are beginning to emerge. … sources said the name believed to be at the top of that list is current Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane. Beane is signed to a contract through the 2005 season … but there were indications out of the Bay Area yesterday that he could get out from under it if the three parties – the Red Sox, A’s and Beane – worked hard enough at it.
January 17, 2002
Baseball OKs $700-million Red Sox sale
Sean McAdam, Providence Journal
Ending an at-times tumultuous and contentious process, Major League Baseball yesterday overwhelmingly approved the sale of the Boston Red Sox to a group led by John Henry for $660 million, plus the assumption of another $40 million in debt. With the purchase, Henry, along with partners Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino and former Sen. George Mitchell, gain control of one of four American League charter franchises, 89-year-old Fenway Park and 80 percent of New England Sports Network cable channel.
In a meeting of owners that lasted nearly 2½ hours, the vote was 29-0 in favor of the transfer. The New York Yankees, citing Henry’s 1-percent ownership in their franchise, abstained from the vote.
The sale ends nearly 70 years of ownership by the Yawkey family.
1901-02 Charles W. Somers
1903-04 Henry Killilea
1904-11 John I. Taylor
1912-13 James R. McAleer
1913-16 Joseph J. Lannin
1917-23 Harry H. Frazee
1923-33 J.A. Robert Quinn
1933-76 Thomas A. Yawkey
1976-77 Jean R. Yawkey
1978-80 JRY Corporation (Jean R. Yawkey, Haywood C. Sullivan, Edward G. LeRoux, Jr.)
1981-86 Jean R. Yawkey Trust, Haywood C. Sullivan, Edward G. LeRoux, Jr.
1987-93 Jean R. Yawkey Trust, Haywood C. Sullivan
1994-02 Jean R. Yawkey Trust
Baseball OK’s Red Sox sale to Henry — Reilly, Harrington increase charities’ share
Meg Vaillancourt and Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
Early yesterday morning, Reilly sent a letter to Major League Baseball asking owners to delay any action on Henry after the talks between Reilly and the team stalled. Reilly revoked the letter several hours later, however, when he and Red Sox chief John Harrington reached a last-minute deal giving the Yawkey Trust $10 million more for its controlling stake in the team. As a result, the trust and its charitable foundation will receive a total of $420 million.
Sox sale OK’d: Harrington’s role with trust reduced
Jack Sullivan, Boston Herald
Baseball owners last night approved the controversial sale of the Red Sox to a group led by John W. Henry after Attorney General Tom Reilly forced the team’s current and future owners to cough up $30 million more and severely diminished CEO John L. Harrington’s control over the Yawkey charities. “I’m happy with the final result,” said Reilly. “I’m looking forward to just being a fan again, quite frankly.”
As spring nears, changes on deck
Gordon Edes, Boston Globe
There was little doubt among associates of both John Henry and Larry Lucchino yesterday that they intend to make sweeping changes. … Lucchino, who was called the “Pedro Martinez of baseball operations” by Henry in a recent interview, said last night there will be a transition period until the sale closes sometime in mid-to-late February. … Henry said one of the first things he intended to do after winning official approval was to call Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, and Henry and Lucchino have discussed making a trip to the Dominican Republic to visit with pitcher Pedro Martinez.
Mirabelli will stick with the Sox
Steven Krasner, Providence Journal
The Boston Red Sox yesterday signed veteran catcher Doug Mirabelli to a one-year contract worth $650,000, avoiding arbitration. Mirabelli, 31, threw out 42 percent (27 of 64) of baserunners attempting to steal last year, the second-best percentage in the American League. Mirabelli hit .270 with 9 homers, 26 RBI and a .518 slugging percentage in 141 at-bats with the Sox.
Reliever wants long-term deal
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
Reliever Rich Garces wants long-term security from the Red Sox. And if he cannot get a multi-year deal from the ballclub before his pending arbitration case is settled, his 2002 season with the Red Sox will be his last one here, his agent said yesterday.
Urbina relents … but Garces vents: Closer withdraws trade request
Michael Silverman, Boston Herald
Ugueth Urbina has had a change of heart about the Red Sox: He wants to stick around for a few more years after all. … Last Thursday, for a number of reasons that included encouragement to stay from Pedro Martinez, Urbina withdrew that trade request and indicated he would like to sign a multi-year deal with the ballclub. … “He spent a lot of time with Pedro this winter and Pedro told him, ‘Be patient, good things will happen.'”
January 16, 2002
This just in: Giuliani, Steinbrenner are sleazebags!
Allen Barra, salon.com
Why is everyone in the New York area pretending to be so outraged at the revelation that Rudy Giuliani amended the Yankees lease in the team’s favor before leaving office? Isn’t that just the logical extension of the crap we were handed all through the fall? … Or, to turn the argument around a bit, how could anyone familiar with Steinbrenner’s or Giuliani’s personal ethics pretend to be surprised at the extent of the sleaziness involved in this deal?
[T]hat’s all Steinbrenner’s threat to move the Yankees can ever be, a bluff. … They’re tied to their enormous local TV revenues, which means they’re tied to the New York area. There’s no getting around that, and it amazes me that the New York area press and politicians don’t ever seem to understand it. Essentially, they don’t have to offer George Steinbrenner anything at all in order to keep him there; in point of fact, after the Yankees took in an estimated $120 million in postseason ticket and merchandise sales, New Yorkers ought to be asking what Steinbrenner is going to give back in order to maintain such an incredible sweetheart deal. Incredibly, they never do.
January 1-15, 2002
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