La Russa angry with ESPN move

NOTES

Tony La Russa is miffed that ESPN moved the St. Louis Cardinals’ last game before the All-Star break in San Francisco to a night game.

La Russa was so disgruntled Tuesday that he implied he hopes the home run derby Monday night on ESPN is a dud.

“I’m saying this a little bit tongue in cheek: It wouldn’t bother me to disrupt that home run event because ESPN just pulled a clueless move,” La Russa said. “I don’t know how they can do that. Do you know what time these guys are getting in?”

As manager of the N.L. champions, La Russa will manage the team in the July 12 game in Detroit. He said he was more concerned about the effects of travel fatigue on his players than himself.

Boss names successor

With his 75th birthday approaching next week, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made it official: Son-in-law Steve Swindal will follow him as head of baseball’s most storied team.

Steinbrenner did not say when Swindal would take over.

Swindal, 50, is married to Steinbrenner’s daughter, Jennifer. He said he would not be as hands-on as the Boss.

Biggio ties HBP record

Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies, tying a modern major league record.

Biggio was hit in the lower back by Colorado’s Jason Jennings, matching Don Baylor (267) for the most times being hit by a pitch since 1900.

Clearing the bases

Pittsburgh put pitcher Oliver Perez on the 15-day disabled list, two days after he broke his toe while kicking a laundry cart in the clubhouse in St. Louis. … Two days after lasting just 2 2/3 innings in a 16-0 loss to the Oakland A’s, Brett Tomko was demoted to San Francisco’s bullpen. … Arizona activated outfielder Luis Terrero from the DL and optioned outfielder Scott Hairston to Triple-A Tucson.