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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Orioles, Anderson Iron Out Five-Year, $31 Million Deal

Compiled From Wire Services

Orioles center fielder Brady Anderson, a free agent, agreed to terms over the weekend on a deal that will keep him in Baltimore into the next century.

The five-year, $31-million agreement followed a series of meetings between Anderson and owner Peter Angelos at Baltimore area restaurants. The sessions, according to Angelos, were friendly in spirit and enjoyable to both.

Anderson, who turns 34 in January, said he would take less money from the Orioles than any other team if Angelos would offer him a five-year deal.

“The truth is, I wanted to stay in Baltimore,” Anderson told The Sun. “I realize that I signed under my market value. But (the Orioles) have other things that mean just as much or more than money.”

Anderson hit 50 home runs two seasons ago. Although he hit only 18 this season, he showed his mettle by playing with a variety of injuries, including a cracked rib. He hit .288 with a career-high 39 doubles and made the All-Star team for the third time.

Thousands of Cleveland Indians fans stood in line over the weekend to buy single-game tickets for the 1998 season.

About 900,000 tickets went on sale Saturday at 9 a.m. By Saturday night, nine home games had only limited tickets left. The Indians sold out their last two seasons before opening day.