MLB – News Stories About MLB - Page 57

Nov 12, 2007 11:55 AM CST

Why Major League Umps Are 91% White

Low turnover, endless stints in the minors scare minority talent away

(Newser) - Wonder why minority umpires are about as common in Major League Baseball as inside-the-park home runs? Incredibly low turnover and 10- to 12-year, poorly paid minor-league apprenticeships, that's why, the LA Times reports. Only seven umps have have been called up from the minors since 2000, helping account for the...

Phillies Trade for Lidge

Nov 8, 2007 5:28 AM CST

Phillies Trade for Lidge

Will take over closer role held by Brett Myers

(Newser) - The Phillies acquired former All-Star Brad Lidge along with utility man Eric Bruntlet from the Astros yesterday in exchange for Michael Bourn, reliever Geoff Geary and minor-league third baseman Mike Costanzo.

Will the Rocket Finally Retire?

Nov 8, 2007 3:02 AM CST

Will the Rocket Finally Retire?

Clemens to develop new talent for the Astros —unless new pitching gig comes along

(Newser) - Roger Clemens looks to be retiring at long last, as he prepares to honor his post-retirement contract with the Houston Astros by working to scout and develop young pitchers. But wait—if a team "has a need for Roger" and the Rocket feels up to it, his agent "...

Fans Livid Over Blocked Baseball Vids

Nov 7, 2007 11:49 PM CST

Fans Livid Over Blocked Baseball Vids

MLB switches DRM provider; purchased content now defunct

(Newser) - Now that Major League Baseball has switched its DRM provider, fans who purchased videos and other baseball content in '06 can no longer access their downloads. A representative for the league explained that they had made one-time purchases, although a blogger says based on a phone interview with MLB officials...

Clinic Tries to Block Steroid Revelations

Nov 7, 2007 11:07 PM CST

Clinic Tries to Block Steroid Revelations

Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center wants to protect clients

(Newser) - The Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center has filed suit to seal the results of a sweeping probe into its operations, an investigation in which 10 individuals have already pleaded guilty to abetting illegal prescription drug distribution. Leaks from the case have implicated several baseball players as customers, including Indians pitcher...

GMs Vote for Instant Replay in Baseball 25-5

Nov 6, 2007 10:44 PM CST

GMs Vote for Instant Replay in Baseball 25-5

Plan still needs approval of MLBPA, umps, owners, Selig

(Newser) - Baseball’s general managers voted 25-5 in favor of using instant replay to aid umpires with boundary calls. The GMs recommended that replay be used to determine whether a possible homer was fair or foul, whether a ball went over the fence or bounced back and whether a fan has...

Schilling Sticks with Sox
for $8M

Nov 6, 2007 10:34 PM CST

Schilling Sticks with Sox for $8M

1-year contract for 39-year-old includes hefty $2M weight clause

(Newser) - The champion Red Sox locked up aging ace Curt Schilling with a one-year, $8 million contract with an additional $6 million in incentives, including $2 million if he stays below a certain weight. Schilling opined on his blog that he could net up to $15 million on the open market,...

MLB Stars Bought 'Roids From Fla. Clinic

Nov 6, 2007 2:38 PM CST

MLB Stars Bought 'Roids From Fla. Clinic

Latest leak names three, including Matt Williams, Jose Guillen

(Newser) - Three more baseball players, including outfielder Jose Guillen and retired third baseman Matt Williams, have been named as buying steroids from a Florida anti-aging clinic that has since been raided for suspected illegal drug sales, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, citing records. Prescriptions at the clinic were written by a...

Pettitte Ponders Retirement

Nov 5, 2007 10:33 PM CST

Pettitte Ponders Retirement

New York hurler declines $16M option, but will likely pitch for Yankees if at all

(Newser) - In the latest development of a tumultuous Yankees offseason, star pitcher Andy Pettitte declined his $16 million option for 2008. However, his agent stressed that Pettitte's choice was between the Yankees or retirement, saying, "If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the...

Pirates Have New Manager at the Helm

Nov 5, 2007 9:58 PM CST

Pirates Have New Manager at the Helm

Russell, former Bucos third base coach, is club's new skipper

(Newser) - On a day when Joe Torre was introduced as the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates also found themselves a new lead in John Russell. Russell spent the past two years managing the Phillies' Class AAA affiliate. Pirate GM Neal Huntington cited Russell’s energy, passion...

Dodgers Usher In New Era

Nov 5, 2007 9:44 PM CST

Dodgers Usher In New Era

Hoopla, record turnout surrounds Torre's inaugural press conference

(Newser) - The Joe Torre Era began in Los Angeles with a festive news conference in Dodger Stadium's capacious center field, reports the Los Angeles Times. The surefire Hall of Famer reported that longtime sidekicks Larry Bowa and Don Mattingly would also be joining his staff, Mattingly after losing out to Joe...

Yanks $100M Short on A-Rod

Nov 3, 2007 7:39 AM CDT

Yanks $100M Short on A-Rod

The all-star wanted a deal with $350 million

(Newser) - Not even close. The Yankees fell more than $100 million short of what A-Rod and agent Scott Boras demanded, ESPN reports. Before opting out of his contract, Alex Rodriguez told the Yanks he wanted a deal worth a staggering $350 million over eight years, but the team figured on about...

Bonds: It's Ball* or Me* in HOF

Nov 2, 2007 6:10 AM CDT

Bonds: It's Ball* or Me* in HOF

Slugger will boycott Hall of Fame if branded 756th homer ball is exhibited

(Newser) - Barry Bonds won't show up for his own induction if the Baseball Hall of Fame exhibits his record-breaking No. 756 ball with an asterisk, he said in a TV interview last night. "There's no such thing as an asterisk in baseball," the slugger complained, arguing that people shouldn't...

Zumaya Tears Shoulder in Freak Accident

Nov 1, 2007 9:52 PM CDT

Zumaya Tears Shoulder in Freak Accident

Detroit fireballer was packing up Chula Vista home as wildfires threatened

(Newser) - After a heavy box fell on Joel Zumaya's pitching shoulder, causing a tear in the AC joint, Detroit's flamethrowing reliever will be rehabbing from surgery until at least the middle of the 2008 season, reports the Detroit Free Press. Zumaya was helping his family prepare for evacuation from their Chula...

Go West, Yankee:
Torre Signs With Dodgers

Nov 1, 2007 5:20 PM CDT

Go West, Yankee: Torre Signs With Dodgers

LA reportedly offers $4M per season for three-year deal as manager

(Newser) - After an expedited courtship period, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially signed ex-Yankee Joe Torre as their manager for the next three years, replacing Grady Little, who stepped down Tuesday. While the details are yet to be disclosed, Torre is expected to haul in $4 million a season, the Los ...

So Long? Schilling Files for Free Agency

Oct 31, 2007 9:51 PM CDT

So Long? Schilling Files for Free Agency

Aging ace wants 1-year deal but price may be too steep for Boston

(Newser) - On the same day that duck boats paraded the World Series champion Red Sox around Boston the team’s veteran hurler, Curt Schilling, filed for free agency. Schilling was part of two championship teams in Boston, including the club’s first in 86 years, but told a radio audience that...

New GM in the Cards: Mozeliak

Oct 31, 2007 9:23 PM CDT

New GM in the Cards: Mozeliak

St. Louis promotes from within after ousting Jocketty; outsiders wanted more control

(Newser) - After having forced out Walt Jocketty, St. Louis hired his protege, John Mozeliak, as their new general manager, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The move surprised some in the industry who expected 33-year-old Mark Antonetti, assistant general manager with Cleveland, to take the job. Antonetti apparently differed with the Cardinals...

Padres CF Suspended for Speed

Oct 31, 2007 4:17 PM CDT

Padres CF Suspended for Speed

Cameron will have to sit out first 25 games of next season

(Newser) - Mike Cameron, Gold Glove-winning center fielder for the Padres, was suspended today for 25 games starting next season, the AP reports. Cameron tested positive twice for a stimulant banned by MLB, although he denies actual abuse, chalking the test results up to a tainted nutritional supplement. Cameron plans to file...

Boston Fetes Triumphant Sox

Oct 30, 2007 9:44 PM CDT

Boston Fetes Triumphant Sox

Victory parade kicks off potentially tumultuous offseason

(Newser) - Tens of thousands of raucous Bostonians cheered at the victory parade today for their beloved World Series champion Red Sox. Bekilted by the Dropkick Murphys, an Irish-influenced punk band, excitable closer Jonathan Papelbon delighted and bemused the crowd with his inimitable jigging. Many signs in particular congratulated Series MVP Mike...

Girardi Accepts 3-Year Offer to Manage Yanks

Oct 30, 2007 9:32 PM CDT

Girardi Accepts 3-Year Offer to Manage Yanks

Ex-catcher beat out Mattingly because of experience as a skipper

(Newser) - Joe Girardi has agreed to a three-year, $6 million contract to accept the unenviable task of succeeding Joe Torre, and his four championships, as the Yankees manager. Girardi is no slouch in the hardware department, however. He won three championships as a player for the Yankees and was the 2006...