Kruk Bids Farewell In Middle Of Game
American League
John Kruk left baseball not with a bang, but with a single.
Kruk, 34, retired from the Chicago White Sox on Sunday during a game against the Baltimore Orioles.
The husky, bearded designated hitter got a single in the top of the first, was stranded at third and began clearing out his locker soon after that.
Kruk was packing his gear as Frank Thomas hit for him in the third inning. He left Baltimore’s Camden Yards well before the conclusion of Chicago’s 8-3 loss.
“The desire to compete at this level is gone. When that happens, it’s time to go,” Kruk said in a statement that was released after the game.
It was not a sudden decision; he made up his mind Friday and shared the news with his teammates Saturday.
“Yeah, he wanted to go out with a hit,” Chicago manager Terry Bevington said. “If he wouldn’t have gotten a hit today, he would have waited until he got a hit.”
In his 10-year career with San Diego, Philadelphia and Chicago, Kruk hit .300 with 100 homers and 592 RBIs. He batted .308 with two homers and 23 RBIs in 49 games for the White Sox this year.
Rangers 7, Red Sox 6
Arlington, Texas
Otis Nixon’s line drive to left field clanked off the glove of Mike Greenwell, helping Texas score two runs off a Boston error and beat the Red Sox.
Matt Whiteside (3-3), who got one out after relieving starter Kenny Rogers with two outs and two on in the eighth, got the victory.
Royals 3, Tigers 2
Kansas City, Mo.
Vince Coleman hit a two-run homer to help former replacement player Scott Anderson get his first major league victory as Kansas City beat Detroit.
Coleman broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with his fourth homer.
Angels 8, Brewers 3
Milwaukee
Rookie Garret Anderson continued his torrid hitting against Milwaukee, knocking in a career-best five runs as California swept a four-game series from the Brewers.
Tim Salmon also drove in three runs as the Angels won their sixth straight.
Athletics 11, Blue Jays 3
Toronto
Geronimo Berroa homered and drove in four runs as Oakland, getting no help from Danny Tartabull in his Athletics debut, beat Toronto.
Tartabull went 0-for-5 and struck out three times.
Yankees 7, Twins 4
Minneapolis
Mike Stanley benefited from the quirky Metrodome, driving in four runs on two odd extra-base hits as New York beat Minnesota.
Davis snaps at fan
California designated hitter Chili Davis of the poked a fan in the face during the Angels’ game with Milwaukee. He was charged with disorderly conduct which carried a $287 fine.
Davis was being taunted as he stood in the on-deck circle in the third inning. Witnesses said Davis walked over to the first row of box seats on the third-base side and said to a 26-year-old fan: “You got a problem with me, say it to my face,” said Sgt. David Iushewitz of the sheriff’s office.
Davis then poked the fan in the left side of his face with his left index finger and “sort of slapped the guy’s face as he was poking,” Iushewitz said.
The fan who was struck was not heckling Davis, witnesses told the sheriff. The actual hecklers were nearby.
Clearing the bases
Toronto placed pitchers Danny Cox and Darren Hall on the 15-day disabled list and moved pitcher Duane Ward to the 60-day disabled list… . Texas placed third baseman Steve Buechele on waivers… . Kansas City designated hitter Bob Hamelin was sent to the minors for the second time this year.