Cubs honor Maddux for 300th win
It was fitting that the Sunday ceremony was short and simple, because that’s the way Greg Maddux likes things.
In fact Maddux helped keep the festivities honoring his 300th victory brief with his remarks that thanked his family and described his feelings for Wrigley Field and its fans.
“It’s always been a special place for me,” he said during the pregame ceremony. “It’s an honor to come and play every day here.”
Those in the audience of 39,079 who were expecting more should have known better.
“I just want to say thank you, it’s an honor and privilege to be here,” the veteran Cubs starting pitcher said, then concluding, “I guess that’s it.”
Before the ceremony Maddux talked about signing with the Cubs during the off-season.
“It’s just nice to be welcomed back to the city,” he said. “It’s always pretty special to be appreciated.”
He called the declaration of “Greg Maddux Day” in Illinois by Gov. Rod Blagojevich an “unexpected treat” and a full-page ad placed in the Chicago Tribune by the Atlanta Braves “classy.”
Maddux has a contract with the Cubs that could last two more seasons but said he could pitch even longer than that.
“Who knows?” the 38-year-old right-hander asked. “As long as I feel like I’m not embarrassing anybody by wearing their jersey, I’d like to continue doing it.”
Maddux won 194 of his 300 games with the Braves between his first and 300th victory with the Cubs.
Giambi increasing workouts
Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi ran outside for the first time Sunday since being diagnosed with a benign tumor last month.
Giambi arrived at the team’s spring training complex last Tuesday to begin working himself back into playing shape. He is also lifting weights as part of an indoor program.
“It’s going in the right direction,” Giambi said. “Got on the field today and ran a little bit. I did OK. Nothing exciting.”
Giambi expects to rejoin the Yankees this season.
•A smiling Alex Rodriguez clutched a bottle of water in his hand as he talked about his bout with the flu this weekend.
“This is the first day in three days I’ve been out of bed,” the New York Yankees’ All-Star third baseman said with a smile. “I think this is the 23rd bottle of water I’ve had.”
Rodriguez, who has 29 homers and 71 RBIs, was back in the locker room talking to teammates — and the media — before New York lost to the Seattle Mariners.
He said it was easy for him to drop his appeal of a four-game suspension and start serving the penalty Saturday. He said he made the call Saturday morning in a phone conversation with manager Joe Torre.
He said Dr. Mitch Storey, the Mariners’ medical director, told him he had a three-day flu. The flu knocked him out of the lineup before Friday night’s series opener with Seattle and Torre sent him back to the team hotel to go to bed.
Matsui latest Met on disabled list
Mets shortstop Kaz Matsui was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of back spasms, joining Mike Piazza and Jose Reyes as the third key member of New York’s lineup to succumb to an injury in a week.
Matsui hasn’t played since leaving the Mets’ 6-2 loss at St. Louis last Sunday in the fifth inning. The move is retroactive to Aug. 9, and was made to add a healthy player to the roster.
“Playing a man short-handed is definitely a disadvantage to the team,” Matsui said through an interpreter. “I feel bad that I got hurt.”
The Mets purchased the contract of first baseman Craig Brazell from Triple-A Norfolk to fill Matsui’s spot.
Originally, Matsui was expected to play Tuesday when the Mets start a three-game series in Colorado, but his recovery has taken longer than expected.
Clearing the bases
The Dodgers placed right-hander Brad Penny on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right bicep. … Outfielder J.D. Drew missed Atlanta’s game against the Cardinals with a sore right quadriceps. … Eric Chavez was a late scratch from the Athletics’ game against Kansas City because of stiffness in his back. … The Brewers optioned left-hander Jorge de la Rosa to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled right-hander Ben Hendrickson.