Red Sox Lose Infielder Frye
Spring training
Jeff Frye’s knee punctuated Boston’s spring training with a loud pop.
In the middle of a rundown drill, the second baseman fell to the ground, his left knee apparently damaged.
“I heard something pop,” said Darren Bragg, the runner on the play. “It definitely didn’t sound good. It definitely didn’t look good.”
Frye, coming off his best season and signed to a $7 million, three-year contract, was driven off the field on a golf cart.
Test results are expected to be released today.
Mets won’t pursue Phillips
The New York Mets reported they are no longer interested in signing Tony Phillips, the dynamic leadoff hitter whose career has been sidetracked by disciplinary problems including a cocaine arrest.
Mets general manager Steve Phillips issued a statement saying the club will no longer pursue Phillips, 38, who will retire if he doesn’t get any more offers.
“There are a lot of issues involved in this matter,” the Mets’ GM said. “One of them is Tony’s perceived role on our club. We view Tony as a valuable commodity, but not an everyday player. This was our philosophy throughout our discussions with his representatives.”
Phillips’ agent, Tony Attanasio, said Tuesday was seeking a $500,000 contract that would grow to $1 million with incentives - $100,000 each for 200, 300 and 400 plate appearances plus a $200,000 buyout on a $2 million mutual option for 1999.
The Mets’ best offer was a $400,000 base salary that would grow to $1 million if Phillips reached 650 plate appearances.
Caray funeral plans set
Thousands of fans interested in offering a final salute to Harry Caray will be invited to line the streets after the funeral of the legendary broadcaster Friday morning in Chicago.
Plans are being finalized by the family to set up a processional route from Holy Name Cathedral to Harry Caray’s Restaurant after the 10 a.m. funeral mass.
The Caray family has been offered the services of the world-renowned Clydesdales from St. Louis, but a decision has not been made to deploy them. Caray broadcast St. Louis Cardinals games for 25 years before coming to Chicago.
Reggie Smith glad to be back
Reggie Smith is back where he belongs, hanging around batting cages and patiently instructing Los Angeles Dodgers hitters.
Smith, the Dodgers’ hitting instructor since 1994, had surgery on July 14 to remove a disk in his neck then missed the remainder of the season.
Rockies injured in accident
Colorado Rockies pitchers Roger Bailey and Mike Munoz were injured in an auto accident less than 2 miles from Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz., while returning home from Tuesday’s workout.
Bailey was the most seriously injured, diagnosed with severe whiplash. He was taken to the University of Arizona Hospital after complaining of soreness in his neck and shoulder. Munoz declined treatment for minor soreness.