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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Alomar calls it quits after 17-year career

Associated Press

Roberto Alomar retired Saturday, ending a career in which he became one of baseball’s best second basemen and, for a time, its most scorned player.

The 12-time All-Star called it quits with Tampa Bay, finishing 276 hits shy of 3,000. He led Toronto to consecutive World Series titles in 1992-93 and was considered by many a lock for the Hall of Fame until a swift decline the last three seasons as he drifted from team to team.

Alomar’s legacy was tarnished, however, when he spit in the face of umpire John Hirschbeck in 1996 while with Baltimore. The messy confrontation made front-page news all over the country and turned Alomar into a target for angry fans throughout the majors.

“I wish it never happened,” he said, “and I hope that’s not how people remember me.”

Alomar’s announcement came one day after he committed two errors in one inning of a spring training game with the Devil Rays, who signed him to a $600,000, one-year contract in January.

“I played a lot of games and I said I would never embarrass myself on the field,” Alomar said. “I had a long career, but I can’t play at the level I want to play, so it’s time to retire.”

Selig denies knowledge of steroid use

Commissioner Bud Selig rejected the notion that baseball officials knew steroids were a problem 10 years ago but did nothing about it.

“It’s easy to look back and rewrite history,” Selig said. “People can say that we knew, but I’d like to know on what basis. There certainly is no medical evidence. There was no testing.”

Selig also dismissed the theory that owners looked the other way on steroids because they were happy with the home run boom in the late 1990s.

“I never had an owner say to me, I like what you’re doing, commissioner,” Selig said. “These home runs are helping us. All this business about you should have known or you could have known, I take very seriously, but the programs have kicked in, and we’re going to have to do whatever we have to do to eradicate steroids from our sport.”

Schilling slams Canseco

Curt Schilling believes that Jose Canseco told the truth in parts of his book and said that the slugger’s career was “a sham” because he used steroids.

The Boston Red Sox pitcher spoke publicly for the first time since testifying Thursday at a congressional hearing on steroids and baseball.

“What you saw Thursday, unfortunately, was the result of someone who didn’t think a lot in a lot of different instances before he ruined some people’s lives,” Schilling said. “That’s not to say that he lied. I don’t believe his book is all lies.

“I believe that there’s some truth in it, but that’s for each and every one of us to decide.”

Berkman, Astros reach deal

Houston outfielder Lance Berkman completed a six-year, $85 million contract with the Astros, keeping the three-time All-Star from becoming a free agent after this season.

“I’m just thrilled to make this type of commitment to the team,” Berkman said. “I want to play every game of my career in an Astros uniform.”

Buehrle perfect for White Sox

Mark Buehrle struck out seven in six dominant innings, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Buehrle, the 2004 American League leader for innings pitched with 245, retired all 18 Royals batters he faced on 83 pitches. He struck out the side in the sixth to cap his fourth start of the Cactus League season.

Peavy feels he’ll be ready for opener

Jake Peavy’s strained left groin showed improvement, giving the San Diego Padres hope their ace will be able to make his first start of the regular season.

“April 7 is in the picture, for sure,” Peavy said of the Padres’ home opener against Pittsburgh.

He was re-evaluated by the Padres training staff Saturday.

“Let’s say we’re cautiously optimistic,” Padres trainer Todd Hutcheson said.