Baywatch put on hold with rainout
Appropriately enough on a day their ballpark was inundated with water, the Pittsburgh Pirates issued a Baywatch.
The Milwaukee Brewers-Pirates game Wednesday night was canceled because of daylong rain and will not be rescheduled. The Pirates’ only regret is it is one fewer game for outfielder Jason Bay to pad his statistics.
The Pirates have never had an N.L. Rookie of the Year in the award’s 57-year history, but Bay is one of their strongest candidates. Despite missing the first month of the season following shoulder surgery, Bay leads all major league rookies with 22 home runs, 67 runs batted in and a .581 slugging percentage.
But Bay, who played for Gonzaga University, doesn’t lead in recognition – understandably, considering the Pirates (63-75) are headed for a 12th consecutive losing season. That’s why publicist Jim Trdinich is starting “Baywatch,” updates on Bay’s season he will regularly distribute to writers and broadcasters.
Bay welcomes the publicity, especially since the other top candidate, shortstop Khalil Greene, is waging his campaign amid the attention of the contending San Diego Padres’ September stretch drive. Bay and Greene were roommates for Triple-A Portland last season, before the Padres dealt Bay in the Brian Giles trade.
Japanese owners’ approved merger sets up strike
Setting the stage for the first players’ strike in the history of Japanese baseball, the owners of Japan’s 12 professional teams voted to approve the merger between the Orix BlueWave and Kintetsu Buffaloes.
In a meeting that lasted almost three hours, the owners approved the merger, a decision that will leave the Pacific League with five teams next season. The owners also said they will maintain the two-league format that has been in place since 1950.
“We hope to hold meetings with the players up until the last minute,” Yomiuri Giants owner Hakuo Takihana said.
On Monday, the Japanese players’ association said that if the merger between the Pacific League teams was approved, they would refuse to play all weekend games between now and the end of September. They have said three conditions, including a one-year freeze on the proposed merger, must be met by Friday to avoid a strike.
It is widely believed the merger, which could cost 100 players and team personnel their jobs, could lead to other mergers in the Pacific League and the formation of a single 10-team league.
Clearing the bases
The Florida Marlins signed free-agent pitcher David Weathers. To make room on the roster, the Marlins designated minor league outfielder Chip Ambres for assignment. … Cincinnati Reds third baseman Brandon Larson accepted a demotion to the minor leagues. … The Tampa Bay Devil Rays released first baseman-designated hitter Randall Simon and recalled outfielder Midre Cummings from Triple-A Durham. … The Kansas City Royals purchased the contract of catcher Paul Phillips from Triple-A Omaha. To make room on the roster for Phillips, a former Spokane Indians player, second baseman Tony Graffanino was transferred from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list.