Woman hit by thrown chair files lawsuit

around the horn

The woman whose nose was broken last year when she was hit by a chair thrown by Texas reliever Frank Francisco filed a lawsuit Thursday against the pitcher, two of his teammates and the Rangers.

The suit filed by Jennifer Bueno seeks damages for battery, assault and negligence. Also named in the lawsuit are Texas pitchers Doug Brocail and Carlos Almanzar, the Texas Rangers Baseball Company, and Staff Pro Inc. – the company hired by the Oakland Athletics to provide security at the game.

Brocail and Almanzar declined to comment while Francisco was unavailable as he was preparing to undergo season-ending ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow today.

Bueno’s attorney, J. Gary Gwilliam, said at a news conference that the incident was the fault of the players involved, and repeatedly maintained that Bueno’s husband, Craig, did nothing wrong to incite the players.

Craig Bueno was among a group of fans who heckled the Texas bullpen during the Sept. 13, 2004, game at the Coliseum.

Hansen signs with Mariners

Infielder Dave Hansen agreed to a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

The 36-year-old Hansen, who spent last season with Seattle and San Diego, was invited to spring training with the Chicago Cubs but was released at the end of camp.

Hansen hit .282 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 57 games for the Mariners last year, and was traded to the Padres on July 30. He went 4 for 28 for San Diego.

Hansen has 137 pinch-hits, fifth all-time.

Rocker returns to baseball

John Rocker once said retirement would beat playing for a New York team. Now, the metropolitan area he slammed so hard provides the setting for a comeback bid.

Rocker, who missed nearly two years after undergoing surgery for a torn rotator cuff, is back in baseball with the suburban Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

While pitching for the Atlanta Braves in 1999, the left-handed reliever made derogatory remarks in Sports lllustrated about gays, minorities and foreigners. Rocker later tried to explain himself by saying he was baiting New York fans.

Now they’re his fans – theoretically.

“Life’s funny like that,” Rocker said.

Ankiel activated at Double-A

Rick Ankiel, the St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher turned outfield prospect, was activated by Double-A Springfield (Mo.) after being sidelined by a back injury since the end of spring training.