Alderson hired at San Diego

around the horn

Sandy Alderson was hired as chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and given a clear directive by owner John Moores.

“My expectations for Sandy are modest. I want him to turn this into the best baseball franchise in America,” Moores said of Alderson, who more than a decade ago built the Oakland Athletics into consistent World Series contenders.

Moores hired Alderson away from the commissioner’s office, where he’s been executive vice president for baseball operations since September 1998.

Sox fans face charges

Boston police are seeking misdemeanor criminal charges against two fans who were involved in a scuffle with New York Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield during the eighth inning of a Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway Park last Thursday.

The police did not name the fans, but Red Sox officials have revoked season tickets from Christopher House, a Boston man who appeared to make contact with Sheffield while he was chasing down a ball in the right-field corner of Fenway Park.

The team also banned a fan who spilled beer on Sheffield from buying tickets this season. The Red Sox did not release his name.

“Tim Wakefield, the longest-tenured player on the Red Sox, agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract extension through 2006 that gives the additional option years at the same salary as long as it wants to retain him.

“Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, the 2003 NL CY Young winner, played catch from 60 feet on flat ground before the game and had no discomfort in his right elbow or his sprained knee.

“Former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star catcher Darren Daulton remained in jail without bond after being arrested for failure to appear in court on a probation violation.

“Alfonso Soriano wasn’t in the Texas Rangers’ starting lineup and didn’t play because of a bruised left knee.

“Catcher Benito Santiago was placed on the 15-day disabled list by Pittsburgh.

Associated Press