Brawls could end Jays’ cheap ticket promotion
The Blue Jays are considering scrapping a promotion that offers fans upper deck tickets for $2 after several brawls broke out in the stands during a game Tuesday night.
Team president Paul Godfrey said Wednesday that no alcohol will be sold in the upper deck for the three remaining $2 games this season.
The Blue Jays will also increase security in the stands and pat down some fans in a bid to prevent the smuggling of hard liquor and beer into the stadium.
Nearly 100 fans were ejected from Rogers Centre in both last Friday’s opener against Boston and Tuesday’s game against Oakland, mostly for “alcohol-related” incidents, Godfrey said.
Agents included in indictment
A federal indictment unsealed charged that unidentified agents for baseball players steered clients to a California physician linked in media reports to supplying Troy Glaus and Scott Schoeneweis with illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
No players or agents were mentioned by name in the 11-count indictment returned by a grand jury against Dr. Ramon Scruggs and two of his alleged associates at the New Hope Health Center in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Schoeneweis is represented by Scott Boras, and Glaus by Mike Nicotera.
“I have no knowledge of this medical practitioner or any relationship that he has with any of our clients,” Boras said. “We have never referred any of our clients to a wellness center.”
•Jose Guillen’s 15-day suspension was put on hold through Tuesday by MLB and the players’ association, an indication they are nearing an agreement that would eliminate the penalty and toughen the sport’s drug rules.
•Brian McNamee’s lawyers told a federal judge that Roger Clemens’ lead lawyer should be removed from the case because he might be forced to attack the credibility of Andy Pettitte, a former client of the same attorney.
Clearing the bases
St. Louis’ Albert Pujols and Houston’s Brandon Backe had a heated exchange as the Astros left the field after batting practice. The exchange, which happened in front of Astros manager Cecil Cooper, lasted a few minutes. The incident apparently revolved around Pujols sliding into Astros catcher J.R. Towles in the eighth inning of the Cardinals’ 5-3 win over the Astros on Tuesday. … San Francisco outfielder Dave Roberts is considering knee surgery that could sideline him indefinitely. … Tampa Bay outfielder Cliff Floyd was put on the 15-day DL and will have surgery Friday to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee. … Left-hander Doug Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Arizona Diamondbacks.