Piniella Adds Another Award To Growing List Of Accolades

Lou Piniella, who led the Seattle Mariners to their first playoff appearance, was voted Associated Press manager of the year on Wednesday.

Piniella received 27 of 66 votes in nationwide balloting by sportswriters and broadcasters. Colorado manager Don Baylor was second with 13 votes, followed by Cleveland’s Mike Hargrove with 10. Atlanta’s Bobby Cox and Boston’s Kevin Kennedy each had six votes.

Earlier this month, Piniella was voted A.L. manager of the year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. The AP began selecting one major league manager of the year in 1984.

“I’m very humble about it because I know I’m just a figurehead for the organization,” Piniella said from his home in Tampa, Fla. “When players play well, when coaches do a good job, when the front office gets you players, the manager reaps the reward. In my case, my players did an outstanding job for me, as did my staff.”

Free-agent infielder Randy Velarde and the California Angels agreed to a $2.45 million, three-year contract.

In Miami, Florida Marlins right fielder Gary Sheffield underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove excess material from his right shoulder joint.

Montreal Expos catcher Tim Laker had ligament transfer surgery on his right elbow and will miss the entire 1996 season.