Threat Stops Belle Appearance

Free-agent outfielder Albert Belle canceled an autograph session at a suburban Cleveland shopping mall because of a threatening telephone call made to mall security, his marketing agent said.

Belle was scheduled to sign posters of himself at the Euclid Square Shopping Mall. The threatening call was made to mall security that afternoon, said Paul Garofolo, Belle’s marketing agent.

“There are no leads and we probably won’t be developing any,” Euclid police Detective Raymond Jorz said. “It was an anonymous call that was untraceable.”

Thomas Howard is on the free-agent market and Jose Rijo is headed for another operation.

The Cincinnati Reds made another move aimed at reducing their payroll by placing Howard, a valuable backup outfielder, on unconditional release waivers.

Rijo, the 1990 World Series MVP, is headed for his third operation in 15 months. He may need to have his right elbow rebuilt for a second time.

Jimmy Key, who won the World Series clincher for the New York Yankees three weeks ago, will be back with the team next season.

The Yankees offered salary arbitration to Key, making him a signed player.

Key was among 31 players who faced a Saturday midnight deadline that determined whether they can become free agents.

The players were in a group of 34 who had filed for free agency conditionally but reverted to their former teams Friday following the collapse of the proposed collective bargaining agreement.