Baseball notebook: La Russa arrested
St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested Thursday on a drunken driving charge after police said they found him asleep inside his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light in Jupiter, Fla.
La Russa had a blood alcohol content of 0.093 percent. Florida’s legal limit is 0.08 percent.
Officers saw La Russa’s SUV sitting partially in an intersection around midnight and not moving despite two green lights, police said. Officers knocked on the window and La Russa did not initially respond.
The SUV was in drive and running, with La Russa’s foot on the brake, police said. When he woke up, the officers asked him to get out of the SUV. La Russa was cooperative during his arrest, police said.
The 62-year-old La Russa was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on the misdemeanor count about four hours later, according to police and jail records. He was released about 8:30 a.m. after posting $500 cash bond, said Paul Miller, a Palm Beach County sheriff’s office spokesman.
Seattle defeats Chicago
Willie Bloomquist went 4 for 5, scored three runs and drove in two to lead the Seattle Mariners to an 11-6 victory over the White Sox at Tucson, Ariz. Chicago starter Jose Contreras went only one inning, allowing one run and two hits for Chicago. Jim Thome hit his fourth homer of the spring, a two-run drive off Seattle’s Horacio Ramirez in the first inning.
Selig hedges on retiring
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig hedged slightly on his retirement plans, saying he intends to leave in 2009 but that he’s learned “never to say never.”
The 72-year-old Selig has been in charge of baseball since 1992, when he became acting commissioner. Voted to the job full time in 1998, Selig said last year he intended to leave after his current term ends in 2009 to write and teach.
Griffey remains mystery
Ken Griffey Jr. didn’t want to talk about his move to right field, insisting it’s no big deal. Manager Jerry Narron also dodged the subject.
The biggest mystery in the Cincinnati Reds’ camp isn’t getting any clearer with opening day little more than a week away. Griffey was out of the lineup again at Sarasota, Fla., and he has yet to appear in a game this spring.
The 37-year-old outfielder has spent his whole career in center, winning 10 Gold Gloves.
Prior has good outing
Mark Prior had his best outing of the spring at Peoria, Ariz. Whether he’ll start the season on the Chicago Cubs’ active roster is still unclear.
Prior threw 59 pitches, walked two and struck out three.
Garcia has sore biceps
One day after Freddy Garcia pitched just one inning for the Phillies against Toronto, a medical exam revealed the right-hander has a sore right biceps. Garcia, who was Philadelphia’s key off-season acquisition, will be reevaluated by the team physician Saturday.
Braves sign McCann
The Atlanta Braves made a long-term commitment to Brian McCann, agreeing to a $26.8 million, six-year contract with the All-Star catcher. McCann, just 23, hit a team-high .333 with 24 homers and 93 RBIs last year.
Papelbon will close
Jonathan Papelbon’s conversion from closer to starter didn’t last long. Papelbon is heading back to Boston’s bullpen to fill a major void, after an injury to Mike Timlin left the Red Sox without a closer.
Clearing the bases
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal injured his left ankle against Baltimore at Vero Beach, Fla., and was taken to a hospital for X-rays. … Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chone Figgins will be sidelined indefinitely after fracturing the middle finger on his throwing hand in Tempe, Ariz.