The boss speaks his mind
With his New York Yankees struggling, George Steinbrenner says Joe Torre is safe for now, general manager Brian Cashman “is on a big hook” and Jason Giambi “should have kept his mouth shut.”
In a rare interview Thursday night from his office in Tampa, Fla., the Boss praised Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Derek Jeter and said he was encouraged by the Yankees’ performance this week in taking two out of three games from A.L. East-leading Boston.
Cashman, given increased duties when he re-signed after the 2005 season, is apparently being held largely responsible for the team’s play.
“He’s on a big hook,” a spirited Steinbrenner said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press. “He wanted sole authority. He got it. Now he’s got to deliver.”
Steinbrenner was less generous toward Giambi, whose recent comments to USA Today that he was “wrong for doing that stuff” were interpreted by some as an admission of steroid use.
“He should have kept his mouth shut,” Steinbrenner said. “The matter is in the hands of the baseball commissioner.”
“Roger Clemens will pitch Monday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre against Toledo. It’s still not certain when the 44-year-old ace will return to the New York Yankees.
Cubs, Cards reschedule
St. Louis and Chicago set a makeup date Friday for the April 29 game that was postponed hours after St. Louis reliever Josh Hancock’s fatal accident.
The game was rescheduled as the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Sept. 14.
Dukes returns for Rays
Tampa Bay Devil Rays rookie outfielder Elijah Dukes was back in the lineup at Chicago after missing two games amid allegations that he threatened to kill his estranged wife and their two young children.
Clearing the bases
Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay (appendectomy) threw 65 pitches in a simulated game in Minnesota. … Atlanta reliever Mike Gonzalez (elbow) will miss the remainder of the season. … Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez was suspended for one game for returning to the field following his ejection. … The Philadelphia Phillies activated first baseman Ryan Howard. … Atlanta second baseman Brandon Monk was suspended for 50 games following a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.