Delgado’s protest no longer quiet

Fervently anti-war, Carlos Delgado quietly carried out his personal protest this season, refusing to stand when “God Bless America” was played at ballparks across the majors.

Most fans never saw him disappearing up the dugout tunnel or staying in the dugout. Teammates who disagreed with the Toronto slugger’s political stance accepted his right to call the United States’ invasion of Iraq “the stupidest war ever.”

This week, though, a lot more people might notice.

The Blue Jays played at Yankee Stadium for the first time this year Wednesday. It’s the only park in the majors where “God Bless America” has been played every game since the Sept. 11 attacks, a fiercely patriotic place where active military members are still admitted free.

“I don’t think that will be received too well,” Yankees manager Joe Torre predicted before the opener of the two-game series. “Just when Bob Sheppard starts announcing ‘God Bless America,’ they start applauding. If you do call attention to that, it won’t be popular.”

Delgado was greeted with scattered boos when he batted in the first inning. No telling whether that was related to his off-the-field opinions, or his status as an opposing star player.

While big leaguers usually come to the top step of the dugout or on to the field to stand in silence during “God Bless America,” Delgado does not make a public show of his stance.

In fact, until the first baseman spoke about the issue in early July to the Toronto Star, many people were not aware of how strongly he felt.

“It’s a very terrible thing that happened on Sept. 11. It’s (also) a terrible thing that happened in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Delgado said at the time. “I just feel so sad for the families that lost relatives and loved ones in the war.

“But I think it’s the stupidest war ever. Who are you fighting against? You’re just getting ambushed now. We have more people dead now after the war than during the war. I don’t support what they do. It’s just stupid.”

Delgado, from Puerto Rico, also opposed the U.S. military’s longtime use of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques for weapons testing.

Delgado politely declined to elaborate before Wednesday night’s game, though he said he stood by his previous remarks.

His opinion became more well known to New York fans in a column in The New York Times. In it, he said, “It takes a man to stand up for what he believes.”

“I am not pro-war; I’m anti-war,” he said. “I’m for peace.”

Red Sox acquire Gutierrez

The Boston Red Sox obtained infielder Ricky Gutierrez from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named or cash.

Earlier in the day, Boston put infielder Pokey Reese on the DL with a strained ribcage. In addition, starting shortstop Nomar Garciaparra still is working himself back after missing much of the first half of the season.

“We have some injuries at Triple-A middle infield as well, so we had to get on the phone the last couple of days and find a utility player who we feel comfortable playing shortstop,” Boston GM Theo Epstein said.

Gutierrez, 34, was hitting.368 with 10 runs batted in during 20 games for Triple-A Iowa. He signed a minor-league contract with Chicago on June 14.

A career .266 hitter, the 12-year veteran played in 24 games for the New York Mets and was hitting .175 before he was cut May 13. He also has played for San Diego, Houston, the Cubs and Cleveland.

Mets’ super-prospect makes debut

Third baseman David Wright arrived at Shea Stadium six hours before the Mets played Montreal, about as excited as a 21-year-old ought to be after being called up to the major leagues.

“I didn’t get much sleep,” said Wright, who was recalled after Mike Piazza sprained his wrist Tuesday night.

An MRI showed no structural damage in Piazza’s wrist and the Mets chose not to put him on the disabled list.

Piazza, who has struggled with his transition from catcher to first base this season, said there had been some improvement in his wrist.

Wright batted seventh and went 0 for 4.

Clearing the bases

The Blue Jays say they are losing less money this season for owner Rogers Communications Inc. and could raise their payroll next season, with or without Delgado, an impending free agent. … The San Diego Padres lifted the suspension of overall No. 1 draft pick Matt Bush, who was arrested last month and accused of assaulting a bouncer removing him from a bar. … Infielder Shane Halter was designated for assignment by Anaheim. … The Cubs recalled right-hander Jon Leicester from Triple-A Iowa and optioned reliever Francis Beltran to the minors.