Santo awaiting Hall fate
MESA, Ariz. – Ron Santo plans to hold off on any early Hall of Fame celebration.
Santo is hoping to hear good news today when the Hall’s Veterans Committee announces its vote. The late Gil Hodges and Roger Maris also were on the ballot, along with old-time pitchers Smoky Joe Wood and Carl Mays.
In 2003, Santo threw a big party at his home near Phoenix right before the Vets’ decision day. Needing 75 percent for election, the former Chicago Cubs star third baseman fell short with 56.8 percent.
“I feel the same way I did two years ago, hoping I get in,” Santo said this week during a visit to the Cubs’ training camp.
Joe Torre, Tony Oliva and Luis Tiant also were among the 25 players on the ballot. Reconfigured to include mostly Hall of Famers, the Veterans Committee did not pick anyone in 2003.
Santo played for the Cubs from 1960-73 before spending one season with the Chicago White Sox. He retired with a lifetime .277 average, 342 home runs and 1,331 RBIs.
Santo won five Gold Glove awards and was a nine-time All-Star. At 65, he currently works as an analyst on Cubs radio broadcasts.
Big Unit scratched from start
Randy Johnson will miss his first scheduled spring training start with the Yankees on Thursday because of tightness in his left calf.
The problem is not considered serious, and the left-hander is expected to be ready for what would have been his second start next Tuesday.
“I’m not concerned about him … not at all,” Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said. “Joe (Torre, the manager) knows what he’s doing, and Randy is a good man.”
Hudson, Braves agree to contract
The Atlanta Braves completed a $47 million, four-year contract extension with Tim Hudson, locking up a former 20-game winner who could have become a free agent at the end of the season.
He will make $6.75 million this year. His new deal calls for a $10 million signing bonus, payable when the contract is approved by the commissioner’s office, and salaries of $4 million in 2006, $6 million in 2007 and $13 million each in 2008 and 2009.
Orioles’ Ponson due in court
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson was expected inside an Oranjestad, Aruba courthouse Thursday morning to face three assault charges for allegedly punching a local judge during an altercation last Christmas.
Ponson left spring training in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after pitching in an intrasquad game.
If convicted, Ponson faces a maximum sentence of four years in jail, a fine and community service.
Clearing the bases
Ken Griffey Jr. sat out the Reds’ intrasquad game because he’s still not up to full speed in his recovery from a torn hamstring. … Mets pitcher Victor Zambrano showed no signs of discomfort while throwing two innings in an intrasquad game. Zambrano had elbow and ankle problems that caused him to miss the final six weeks of the 2004 season. … After four years of negotiations, the Cubs and the city of Chicago agreed on a plan to add 1,790 seats to Wrigley Field in time for opening day in 2006.