Former star pitcher Sain dead at 89

Johnny Sain, a three-time All-Star who teamed with Warren Spahn to make up one of baseball’s most fabled pitching tandems, died Tuesday at Downers Grove, Ill. He was 89.

Sain’s best year was 1948, when he and Spahn led the Boston Braves to the World Series, where they lost to Cleveland. It was during that season when the famous saying was born: “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.”

Sain was 139-116 with a 3.49 ERA in 11 seasons in the 1940s and 1950s, mostly with the Braves and New York Yankees. He won three straight World Series titles with the Yankees from 1951-53.

Sain had a stroke in 2002 and had been in poor health. The Knollcrest Funeral Home in Lombard, Ill., said it was handling the arrangements.

The Chicago Tribune earlier reported Sain’s death on its Web site.

Clearing the bases

The Boston Red Sox will not exercise their $7.5 million option on reliever Keith Foulke, the star closer on their 2004 World Series championship team who struggled with injuries and inconsistency the past two seasons. … Reserve infielder Ramon Martinez re-signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, passing up a chance to test the free-agent market. Martinez, who had filed for free agency, agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for a second year. … Jason Jennings’ $5.5 million option was exercised by the Colorado Rockies. … Dick Pole, Dusty Baker’s bench coach with the Chicago Cubs the last four seasons, was hired as Cincinnati Reds pitching coach. … Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson had arthroscopic surgery to clean out scar tissue in his right knee, 11/2 months after an on-field collision ended his season. Johnson is expected to be ready for spring training. … Art Howe interviewed with the Texas Rangers about being the bench coach for first-time manager Ron Washington. … Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is set to be released from prison Thursday after finishing a sentence for violating his probation by using cocaine.