Bungled Promo Leaves Williams Waiting At Plate

Spring training

The intention was good, but the execution wasn’t.

Several weeks ago, the Philadelphia Phillies thought it might be a nice idea to invite Hall of Famer Ted Williams out to Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Fla., when his old team, the Boston Red Sox, came to town to play the Phillies.

Williams’ two favorite young players are Scott Rolen and Nomar Garciaparra, the reigning rookies of the year from the National and American Leagues, respectively.

Williams accepted the invitation, and the Phillies planned a little home-plate ceremony involving him, Rolen and Garciaparra.

But at 1 p.m. Tuesday, only Williams and Rolen were standing at home.

“Obviously, there’s been a miscommunication,” vice president of public relations Larry Shenk said. “We thought we had let the Red Sox know. But we never put it in writing. Looking back, we should have sent a letter. Nomar is not to be blamed.”

Garciaparra, who played against the Yankees the night before in Tampa, was 130 miles away in Fort Myers, the Red Sox’ home base.

Williams was clearly disappointed that Garciaparra was not there. He even said, “This is the last Red Sox game I’ll ever go to,” although he later said he was joking.

Agents pursue defectors

A pair of baseball agents aren’t even waiting for the latest Cuban defectors to leave detention camp in Nassau, Bahamas, before trying to sign them as clients.

Joe Cubas and Gus Dominguez, who have previous Cuban defectors as clients, are battling over four players who escaped the communist island last week. Dominguez spoke with pitching coach Enrique Chinea, who defected along with the players.

“We were contacted by family members and by Mr. Chinea to come and try to help and that’s what we’re doing,” Dominguez said. “The players have the option. They can go with Joe or they can come with us.”

Cubas represents Orlando Hernandez, who earlier this month signed a $6.6 million, four-year contract with the New York Yankees. Dominguez represents Rene Arocha, a pitcher who signed with St. Louis in 1991 and played in the San Francisco Giants’ organization last season.

DL for Bonilla

Florida Marlins veteran third baseman Bobby Bonilla will start the season on the disabled list to allow him to recover from off-season wrist surgery.

The move is retroactive to March 22, meaning Bonilla will be eligible to return on April 6.

Appier has surgery

Kansas City Royals ace Kevin Appier will likely be sidelined through the All-Star break after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in Kansas City, Mo., to repair a tear in his right shoulder.

The Royals said Appier is expected to begin soft tossing in six weeks.

Los Angeles Dodgers cleanup hitter Eric Karros will be sidelined at least 4-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in Los Angeles.

On the diamond

Gary Sheffield looked nearly good as new in his first start of spring, hitting a two-run homer as the Florida Marlins overcame Mark McGwire’s sixth home run to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4.

At Jupiter, Fla., Montreal ended its 14-game losing streak, beating Los Angeles 6-2 behind five shutout innings from Javier Vazquez.

Ken Caminiti hit his first homer of the spring and Tony Gwynn extended his hitting streak to 11 games, helping San Diego defeat San Francisco 7-4.