A’s to retire Jackson’s 1st number
Reggie Jackson might be best known as the brash slugger who clashed with George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin and forever became “Mr. October” with three World Series home runs at Yankee Stadium.
But Jackson rose to prominence in Oakland and had his biggest success with the Athletics, who will finally retire his No. 9 today — 11 years after New York gave him the honor by retiring his No. 44.
“It’s probably overdue, but the A’s didn’t have anything to do with that,” Jackson said this week. “That’s me. There were some bad feelings with one of the executives. We didn’t see eye to eye. I let it go.
“Here we are getting things on the right track. The A’s have always treated me as good as you can treat a guy.”
The 58-year-old Jackson played his first nine seasons with the A’s and also finished his career in Oakland in 1987.
Anderson will begin rehab Thursday
Garret Anderson, the MVP of last year’s All-Star game and home run derby, must wait until Thursday before he can begin his rehabilitation from the arthritis that has plagued him since late April and has forced him to miss 27 games — six more than he sat out over the previous six seasons combined.
• Angels slugger Troy Glaus had surgery on his right shoulder Friday, an operation that might sideline him for the rest of the season.
Red Sox sign Ortiz to two-year extension
The Boston Red Sox signed first baseman-designated hitter David Ortiz to a $12.5 million, two-year contract extension, which includes a club option for a third season.
The deal could keep Ortiz with Boston through 2007. It also reduces the large contingent of Red Sox players eligible for free agency after the season, a list headed by Pedro Martinez and Nomar Garciaparra.
Ortiz said he wanted to focus on playing rather than contract negotiations.
“I just told my agent that I don’t want to be into it at all,” he said. “I just want to be playing ball. All I’m worried about right now is winning some games.”
• The Red Sox placed reliever Scott Williamson on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation and recalled right-hander Anastacio Martinez from Triple-A Pawtucket. The move was retroactive to Wednesday.
A-Rod returns home with homer
With one swing, Alex Rodriguez silenced the booing fans who greeted his return to Texas.
Rodriguez lined a 2-1 pitch into the left-field seats for a two-run homer in his first at-bat in Arlington since he was traded to the New York Yankees. The drive stunned the Rangers fans who’d turned against him and delighted the few who stuck with him.
Silence turned to mild cheers as Rodriguez rounded the bases. When he cleared third base, he cocked his right fist and softly pumped his arm.
Rodriguez wasn’t as successful in his second at-bat. He backed out of the box on an up-and-in pitch, then hit a grounder to second base. He was thrown out by Alfonso Soriano, the player he was traded for, then was booed again as he slowly made his way back to the bench.
Clearing the bases
Despite his sore back, Barry Bonds returned to the starting lineup for the Giants’ series opener against the Expos. … Designated hitter Frank Thomas was taken out of the White Sox’s starting lineup shortly before the team’s game against the Twins because of an upset stomach. … Rangers rookie catcher Gerald Laird will have surgery to reattach a torn ligament in his left thumb today, and will be sidelined approximately three months. … The Mets agreed to allow right-hander Grant Roberts to have surgery on his ailing shoulder after he was examined by three doctors. No date has been set for the operation. … Reliever Rod Beck rejoined the Padres, more than two months after leaving the team to deal with an unspecified personal problem.