Negro League players honored
Around the horn
Fourteen Negro League players, including 102-year-old Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, participated in a ceremony honoring them before the Washington Nationals’ game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday night in Washington.
Radcliffe, the oldest living former Negro League player, delivered the ceremonial first pitch by handing a ball to Nationals first base coach Don Buford while sitting on a golf cart behind home plate.
Radcliffe said baseball has changed a lot since he played.
“It ain’t like it used to be. There used to be some good pitchers. There aren’t ballplayers like there used to be. It’s a shame,” Radcliffe said.
The other players present were: Luther Atkinson, Eddie Banks, Jimmy “Beady” Bland, Al Burrows, Frank Evans, Willie Fordham, Ed Hudson, Ernie Lewis, Bert Simmons, William “Sonny” Randall, Jake Sanders, James Tillman Sr. and Jim Wheaton.
Rolen has surgery
St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen had arthroscopic surgery to repair a small tear in the labrum of his left shoulder. The Cardinals also activated closer Jason Isringhausen from the 15-day disable-list, purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Gabe White from Triple-A Memphis and optioned catcher Mike Mahoney to Memphis.
“ Detroit placed outfielder Bobby Higginson on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 6, with a sore right elbow.
“ Cleveland outfielder Jody Gerut (knee surgery) was activated from the 15-day DL and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
“ Pittsburgh left-hander Oliver Perez, bothered by shoulder stiffness, threw in the bullpen but is not yet scheduled to return to the rotation.
“ Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro is expected to miss at least three more weeks after an MRI exam showed a partially torn tendon on the outside of his left ankle.
“ The Cubs recalled infielder Michael Fontenot from Triple-A Iowa.
“ Colorado placed closer Chin-hui Tsao on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation, replacing him on the roster with right-hander Blaine Neal.
Associated Press