Guerrero a triple crown contender

Could Vladimir Guerrero be headed toward a coronation in which he trades his ugly, pine-tar-smeared batting helmet – “If he ever gets hit by a pitch there, the ball will stick,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia says – for a Triple Crown?

Any such celebration would be the first since Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski won the American League Triple Crown in 1967.

Although seldom mentioned in the same context with the 64-year drought since Ted Williams became the last player to hit .400 and Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games during that same summer of 1941, leading a league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in is proving to be almost as difficult and elusive.

It has been done only 11 times since the RBI became an official statistic in 1920, and it has been 36 years since Yastrzemski and 66 since 1937, when Joe Medwick became the last to do it in the National League.

The multitalented Guerrero began the weekend series with the Dodgers among the league leaguers in each of the three categories. His pace projects to a .354 batting average, 42 homers and 149 RBIs.

“Home runs and RBIs tend to go together, but getting the batting average, getting that third part, is probably the toughest aspect,” said Yastrzemski.

Now 64, Yaz batted .326 with 44 homers and 121 RBIs during a memorable season in which he catapulted toward the Hall of Fame and helped the surprising Red Sox win a pennant.

Among current Triple Crown candidates, he said, Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Albert Pujols share two factors that were critical to him as well: Protection in the lineup.

“I can’t think about the Triple Crown right now,” Guerrero said. “I’m just focused on doing a good job, and we’ll see where my stats are at the end of the year. I think it would be difficult to lead the league in all three of those categories because there are so many good hitters.”

Aaron Boone signs with Indians

Free-agent infielder Aaron Boone signed a two-year contract with an option for 2006 and said the Indians’ prospects for a resurgence with a talented core of young players was a key factor in his decision.

The Indians signed Boone to a $3.6 million, two-year contract with a team option for 2006 that could turn into a three-year deal worth $11.1 million.

Ventura’s debut on mound a success

Robin Ventura hopes his pitching career started – and finished – on the same day.

Ventura, a big leaguer since 1989, worked a scoreless ninth inning Friday night in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 13-0 loss to the Anaheim Angels.

“Pretty uneventful. It’s down pretty close to the bottom,” Ventura, 36, said when asked where the experience ranked on his personal highlights list.

Ventura retired three batters on flyballs and allowed a single to Darin Erstad.

Affeldt injures ribs

Royals closer Jeremy Affeldt has either strained or torn muscles in his right rib cage and could be out as long as six weeks.

The Medical Lake left-hander (Northwest Christian HS) stabilized the bullpen after being shifted from the starting rotation. He got just one out in the ninth inning of a 3-1 loss to St. Louis before indicating to the bench that something was wrong.

“The location is pretty consistent with where we normally see the oblique (muscle) problem, being on the front side when you pull down,” trainer Nick Swartz said.

“Best-case scenario, this is a muscle strain — you’re looking at a couple of weeks. Best case,” Swartz said.

“Worst case, it’s an oblique in a pitcher. If there’s any type of tearing there, you’re probably looking at four to six weeks.”

Since moving to the bullpen, the left-hander is 8 for 10 in save opportunities.

Clearing the bases

Oakland’s Rich Harden left his start Saturday against San Francisco in the third inning after partially dislocating his non-throwing shoulder while trying to cover first base… . Detroit outfielder Alex Sanchez left Saturday’s game against Arizona with a mild strain of his right hamstring. He’s listed as day to day… . Cleveland starter C.C. Sabathia left the Indians’ game against Colorado after the first inning with left-shoulder pain. He threw eight pitches. The Indians also placed right-hander Rafael Betancourt on the 15-day disabled list, and recalled left-hander Jeriome Robertson from Triple-A Buffalo. The Indians also released right-hander Jeff D’Amico.