Racy Sizemore photos stolen, put online
November 30, 2009
CLEVELAND (AP)—Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore(notes) has contactedinvestigators from Major League Baseball to stop publication of steamyphotographs that he says were stolen from his girlfriend’s e-mail account andthen posted online.
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Sizemore took the photos, which first appeared Sunday on a Web site, with acell phone standing in front of a bathroom mirror. He is partially nude in a fewof them.
“We fully support Grady as he deals with this personal matter,” theIndians said in a statement Monday. “The posted photos were stolen from hisgirlfriend’s e-mail account and a legal investigation is under way.”
Sizemore told The Plain Dealer of Cleveland the photos were intended for hisgirlfriend. The team said Sizemore wouldn’t make any further comment on thephotos.
The 27-year-old Sizemore is the Indians’ most popular player. His fan baseincludes “Grady’s Ladies,” and several other women’s groups devoted to thethree-time All-Star.
With a rare combination of speed and Sizemore, acquired from Montreal in a2002 trade, has developed into one of baseball’s best all-around players, but hewas limited to just 106 games last season because of injuries.
He is one of only two players in club history to hit 30 homers and steal 30bases in one season. A two-time Gold Glove winner, Sizemore has endeared himselfto Cleveland fans with his hustle and durability. In 2006 and 2007, he played inall 162 regular-season games.
Sizemore suffered an elbow injury and sports hernia during spring trainingin 2009 and was never 100 percent. He batted a career-low .248 with 18 homersand 64 RBIs before he deciding to stop playing on Sept. 4. He underwent twooffseason surgeries.
Jeter named SI’s sportsman of year
November 30, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Derek Jeter(notes) has been selected Sports Illustrated’s sportsmanof the year, becoming the first member of the New York Yankees to win the award.
Jeter led the Yankees to their first World Series title since 2000 and hisfifth overall while having one of the best seasons of his career. He batted .334and made a career-low eight errors in winning his fourth Gold Glove.
The 35-year-old Yankees captain also was the recipient of the RobertoClemente Award for excellence on and off the field and passed Lou Gehrig’s clubrecord for hits.
The magazine made the announcement Monday. Sports Illustrated Group editorTerry McDonell said Jeter “brings a dignity and elegance to the game.”
The award has been given out since 1954. Michael Phelps won it in 2008.
Alomar, McGriff among new Hall finalists
November 27, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Roberto Alomar is among 15 first-time candidates of this year’sHall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire, Andre Dawson and BertBlyleven.
Edgar Martinez(notes), Barry Larkin and Fred McGriff also are new to the ballotthis year. There are 26 candidates, three more than last year when RickeyHenderson was elected in his initial appearance and Jim Rice made it on his 15thand final try. Dawon fell 44 votes shy of the 75 percent needed and Blyleven was67 short.
Also on the ballot for the first time are Kevin Appier, Ellis Burks, AndresGalarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Shane Reynolds,David Segui, Robin Ventura and Todd Zeile.
Other holdovers on the list announced Friday include Harold Baines, DonMattingly, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Lee Smith and AlanTrammell.
McGwire, hired last month as hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, is onthe ballot for the fourth time. While he hit 583 homers, eighth on the careerlist, he has been stigmatized since his 2005 congressional testimony, when heevaded answering whether he had used steroids. He received 118 votes (22percent) in last year’s vote, down from 128 in each of his first two tries.
Segui has admitted he used steroids.
Alomar, a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove second baseman, had a .300batting average, 210 homers and 474 steals in 17 major league seasons.
Martinez spent all 18 seasons with Seattle, winning two AL batting titlesand finishing with a .312 average and 309 homers. A seven-time All-Star, he wasa designated hitter in 1,412 of 2,055 career regular-season games.
Larkin was a 12-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove shortstop in 19seasons, all with Cincinnati. He had a .295 career average with 198 homers andwon the 1995 NL MVP award.
McGriff is tied with Lou Gehrig for 26th on the career home run with 493 andhad a .284 average in 19 seasons. He led the AL in homers for Toronto in 1989and the NL for San Diego in 1992.
Reporters who have been in the BBWAA for 10 or more consecutive years areeligible to vote, and results will be announced Jan. 6. Inductions, which willinclude anyone elected by the Veterans Committee, are scheduled for July 25 atCooperstown. The Veterans Committee vote will be announced Dec. 7.
The complete ballot: Roberto Alomar, Kevin Appier, Harold Baines, BertBlyleven, Ellis Burks, Andre Dawson, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, MikeJackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly,Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines,Shane Reynolds, David Segui, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile
Ohlendorf interns with US Agriculture
November 27, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP)—An e-mail requesting an internship arrived at theAgriculture Department this summer with an impressive resume: PrincetonUniversity degree in operations research and financial engineering, 3.8 collegeGPA, 1520 SATs.
Ross Ohlendorf didn’t mention his 95 mph sinking fastball, but it probablywouldn’t have hurt his chances. Department officials were impressed that thePittsburgh Pirates pitcher wanted to work for them in the offseason.
Doug McKalip, confidential assistant to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,recalled the secretary’s reaction when told of Ohlendorf’s e-mail: “Are youserious? A major league player wants to do this?”
Good location is key to both pitching and landing a job, and Ohlendorf hadmastered that this summer, arranging to catch Vilsack’s opening pitch at aPirates game in Pittsburgh because of the pitcher’s interest in agriculture.
“I talked to him briefly afterward and told him my family raisedlonghorns,” Ohlendorf recalled in an interview at his USDA office. “A littlewhile later, it came into my head that it would be a great opportunity to internhere in the offseason.” He followed that up with an e-mail to McKalip.
Ohlendorf said he and his father are involved in their longhorn cattlebusiness outside Austin, Texas—the pitcher works on the ranch’s Web site, evenduring the baseball season—and that he’s been developing an interest in howgovernment works.
“So this was a really good opportunity to combine the two,” he said.
Now, Ohlendorf shows up every day at the office for his internship in a kindof throwback to earlier times when baseball players had to supplement theirincome working offseason jobs. Except that Ohlendorf isn’t getting paid, and heusually takes afternoons off to work out. He typically logs a little more than20 hours a week, and plans to extend his 8-week internship, which began lastmonth, by two weeks.
Ohlendorf, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds, shares a smalloffice with another USDA employee. His work is mainly focused on animalidentification—the nationwide tracking system intended to pinpoint an animal’slocation after a disease is discovered.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. “In addition to learning a lot ofthings and meeting a lot of neat people, I’ve gotten to do some cool eventstoo.” He mentioned one at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to theWhite House, focused on youth sports, and another at a local elementary schoolwith first lady Michelle Obama, a fellow Princeton grad, aimed at promotinghealthy eating among children.
“If you know Ross,” said Ohlendorf’s baseball coach at Princeton, ScottBradley, “everything about his life is always about making himself better andmaking himself more educated. He’s not someone who wants to sit and not doanything. This is a perfect fit for him.”
Ohlendorf said he’s also picking up some insights that might help thebusiness back home.
“We haven’t sold our beef directly to consumers very often,” he said.“But longhorn beef’s very healthy, and our meat for the most part is grass-fed.I’m becoming more familiar with the demand for grass-fed and local products.There’s more of a market that we can explore. … I’m just learning aboutcertification programs that USDA runs, where you can becomeorganically-certified, or grass-fed certified.”
Many of the cattle on the ranch are sold to people who want to raiseregistered longhorns, Ohlendorf said, “because they like the way they look, andthey want to get enjoyment out of raising them, more so than for the endproduct.”
Ohlendorf, 27, had a breakout season this year, winning 11 games as astarter for the last-place Pirates and posting a 3.92 ERA. He was drafted in2004 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who traded him to the New York Yankees as partof the deal that brought Randy Johnson back to Arizona. New York later shippedhim to Pittsburgh in another multiplayer trade.
Ohlendorf’s college thesis was on the investment return for major leagueteams on draft choices. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian has written that Ohlendorf “may bethe smartest player in baseball and the smartest person in almost any room heenters.”
His teammate, pitcher Zach Duke, said he wasn’t surprised that Ohlendorf isspending his offseason interning with the government.
“He’s a guy who has an unquenched thirst for knowledge,” Duke said in atelephone interview. “This is something he’s very passionate about, and if hecan learn more about the industry and things that can affect his business in apositive way, he’s going to do it.”
“He’s kind of a geek, as we refer to him,” Duke added with a laugh. “I’mkind of jealous of him after talking to him because he told me he’s doing allthis stuff, getting to meet people” like Michelle Obama. Duke said he’sspending his own offseason “just kind of hanging out.”
Ohlendorf said he might consider a career in public service after playingbaseball.
“At this point, there are a lot of things that interest me, but it iscertainly one of them,” he said. But like a pitcher careful not to telegraphhis pitches, Ohlendorf declined to share any views on public policy—except tosay he’s impressed with the USDA’s efforts at promoting healthier lifestyles forkids.
Now that’s good politics.
On the Net:
Ohlendorf’s baseball statistics, biography: http://tinyurl.com/crnr39
Pirates pitcher digs spikes into farming
November 27, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP)—An e-mail requesting an internship arrived at the AgricultureDepartment this summer with an impressive resume: Princeton University degree inoperations research and financial engineering, 3.8 college GPA, 1520 SATs.
Ross Ohlendorf didn’t mention his 95 mph sinking fastball, but it probablywouldn’t have hurt his chances. Department officials were impressed that thePittsburgh Pirates pitcher wanted to work for them in the offseason.
Doug McKalip, confidential assistant to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,recalled the secretary’s reaction when told of Ohlendorf’s e-mail: “Are youserious? A major league player wants to do this?”
Good location is key to both pitching and landing a job, and Ohlendorf hadmastered that this summer, arranging to catch Vilsack’s opening pitch at aPirates game in Pittsburgh because of the pitcher’s interest in agriculture.
“I talked to him briefly afterward and told him my family raisedlonghorns,” Ohlendorf recalled in an interview at his USDA office. “A littlewhile later, it came into my head that it would be a great opportunity to internhere in the offseason.” He followed that up with an e-mail to McKalip.
Ohlendorf said he and his father are involved in their longhorn cattlebusiness outside Austin, Texas—the pitcher works on the ranch’s Web site, evenduring the baseball season—and that he’s been developing an interest in howgovernment works.
“So this was a really good opportunity to combine the two,” he said.
Now, Ohlendorf shows up every day at the office for his internship in a kindof throwback to earlier times when baseball players had to supplement theirincome working offseason jobs. Except that Ohlendorf isn’t getting paid, and heusually takes afternoons off to work out. He typically logs a little more than20 hours a week, and plans to extend his 8-week internship, which began lastmonth, by two weeks.
Ohlendorf, who is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds, shares a smalloffice with another USDA employee. His work is mainly focused on animalidentification—the nationwide tracking system intended to pinpoint an animal’slocation after a disease is discovered.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. “In addition to learning a lot ofthings and meeting a lot of neat people, I’ve gotten to do some cool eventstoo.” He mentioned one at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to theWhite House, focused on youth sports, and another at a local elementary schoolwith first lady Michelle Obama, a fellow Princeton grad, aimed at promotinghealthy eating among children.
“If you know Ross,” said Ohlendorf’s baseball coach at Princeton, ScottBradley, “everything about his life is always about making himself better andmaking himself more educated. He’s not someone who wants to sit and not doanything. This is a perfect fit for him.”
Ohlendorf said he’s also picking up some insights that might help thebusiness back home.
“We haven’t sold our beef directly to consumers very often,” he said.“But longhorn beef’s very healthy, and our meat for the most part is grass-fed.I’m becoming more familiar with the demand for grass-fed and local products.There’s more of a market that we can explore. … I’m just learning aboutcertification programs that USDA runs, where you can becomeorganically-certified, or grass-fed certified.”
Many of the cattle on the ranch are sold to people who want to raiseregistered longhorns, Ohlendorf said, “because they like the way they look, andthey want to get enjoyment out of raising them, more so than for the endproduct.”
Ohlendorf, 27, had a breakout season this year, winning 11 games as astarter for the last-place Pirates and posting a 3.92 ERA. He was drafted in2004 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who traded him to the New York Yankees as partof the deal that brought Randy Johnson back to Arizona. New York later shippedhim to Pittsburgh in another multiplayer trade.
Ohlendorf’s college thesis was on the investment return for major leagueteams on draft choices. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian has written that Ohlendorf “may bethe smartest player in baseball and the smartest person in almost any room heenters.”
His teammate, pitcher Zach Duke, said he wasn’t surprised that Ohlendorf isspending his offseason interning with the government.
“He’s a guy who has an unquenched thirst for knowledge,” Duke said in atelephone interview. “This is something he’s very passionate about, and if hecan learn more about the industry and things that can affect his business in apositive way, he’s going to do it.”
“He’s kind of a geek, as we refer to him,” Duke added with a laugh. “I’mkind of jealous of him after talking to him because he told me he’s doing allthis stuff, getting to meet people” like Michelle Obama. Duke said he’sspending his own offseason “just kind of hanging out.”
Ohlendorf said he might consider a career in public service after playingbaseball.
“At this point, there are a lot of things that interest me, but it iscertainly one of them,” he said. But like a pitcher careful not to telegraphhis pitches, Ohlendorf declined to share any views on public policy—except tosay he’s impressed with the USDA’s efforts at promoting healthier lifestyles forkids.
Now that’s good politics.
Report: Yanks PA voice Sheppard retiring
November 26, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Bob Sheppard says he has no plans to return to his longtime jobas the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium.
MLB.com reported Thursday that Sheppard, who is in his late 90s, doubts verymuch that he’ll be able to resume his duties for even one New York Yankees gamenext season. Sheppard hasn’t worked a game since late in the 2007 season due toillness.
When contacted by The Associated Press, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo saidthe team had no announcement or comment at this time.
Famous for his resonant tones, Sheppard became the PA announcer at the oldYankee Stadium in 1951. Years later, Reggie Jackson gave Sheppard the nickname“The Voice of God.”
Sosa sued for $203K in Dominican court
November 26, 2009
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)—Sammy Sosa(notes) is being sued for $203,000by a businessman in the Dominican Republic who says the former Major Leaguerowes him for—among other things—commission on a house sale.
Carim Abu Nabaa alleges that Sosa has not paid him a commission of $150,000on a house sale, $43,000 for a luxury watch, and $10,000 for getting Reggaetonsinger Don Omar to perform at Sosa’s 41st birthday party.
In legal documents obtained by The Associated Press, Sosa has been orderedto appear in a Dominican court on Dec. 2.
Sosa played for the Chicago Cubs from 1992 to 2004 and became one of theleague’s best hitters. He also played for the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Soxand Baltimore Orioles.
Calls to Sosa’s representatives in the Dominican Republic were not returned.
Jose Enrique Alevante, a lawyer for Abu Nabaa, told AP his client helpedSosa sell a $3 million house in the Dominican Republic to the actor Vin Dieseland that he was owed a 5 percent commission on the sale.
Jays sign SS Gonzalez to 1-year deal
November 26, 2009
TORONTO (AP)—The Toronto Blue Jays signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to aone-year deal worth $2.75 million on Thursday, which includes a club option for2011.
The move came a day after backup shortstop John McDonald(notes) agreed to a$3-million, two-year deal that effectively marked the end of free agent MarcoScutaro’s(notes) time with the club.
The 32-year-old Gonzalez split last season between Cincinnati and Boston,batting .238 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs. The Venezuelan was an All-Star in1999, and is a career .247 hitter with 114 home runs and 521 RBIs.
His club option would be worth $2.5 million if exercised.
Jays re-sign INF McDonald for 2 years
November 25, 2009
TORONTO (AP)—Shortstop John McDonald(notes) has decided to remain with the TorontoBlue Jays, agreeing to a $3 million, two-year contract.
The 35-year-old hit .258 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 151 at-bats lastseason for Toronto. He made 35 starts, including 19 at shortstop, nine at third,five at second and two in left.
McDonald has spent 11 seasons in the major leagues, the past five with theBlue Jays. He became a free agent after the season.
His deal announced Wednesday includes annual salaries of $1.5 million.
Royals trade INF Hulett to Red Sox
November 25, 2009
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—The Royals have traded infielder Tug Hulett(notes) to theBoston Red Sox for cash or a player to be named.
The 26-year-old infielder had been designated for assignment last week.
Hulett was claimed off waivers from Seattle last offseason and played in 15games for Kansas City in this year, going 2-for-18 at the plate.
