Miller, Steinbrenner shy of baseball Hall of Fame
Pat Gillick is headed to the Hall of Fame after putting together three World Series championship teams in 27 years as a major league general manager. The Halls’ doors were shut for George Steinbrenner and Marvin Miller, a pair of far more divisive figures.
Gillick received 13 votes from the 16-man Veterans Committee in totals announced Monday as the winter meetings began. Miller, the union head who revolutionized sports by gaining baseball players free agency and multimillion dollar salaries, got 11 votes – one shy of the necessary 75 percent.
Steinbrenner, who left an indelible imprint on baseball as the New York Yankees blustery and colorful owner from 1973 until his death in July, received fewer than eight.
“Some people thought it’s too early,” said Hall of Famer Johnny Bench, a member of the committee.
Miller appeared on the ballot for the fifth time and came the closest this year. The 93-year-old remains controversial, and the committee included four representatives from management, a side that repeatedly lost to Miller’s union as players gained freedom.
“A long time ago, it became apparent that the Hall sought to bury me long before my time, as a metaphor for burying the union and eradicating its real influence,” Miller said in a statement.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig publicly favored both Steinbrenner and Miller for election.
“What a travesty. I just feel so sorry for Marvin. It’s embarrassing to all of us who care about baseball,” former commissioner Fay Vincent said during a telephone interview with the Associated Press. “The Marvin decision is stupefying.”
Gillick was GM of Toronto, Baltimore, Seattle and Philadelphia, winning World Series titles with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993, and with the Phillies in 2008. He will be inducted into Cooperstown during ceremonies on July 24 along with any players chosen next month by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Red Sox get 1B Gonzalez in trade with San Diego
The Red Sox completed their deal for All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, acquiring the slugger from the San Diego Padres for three prospects and a player to be named.
Boston sent minor league right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder Reymond Fuentes to San Diego.
Around the bases
The Orioles acquired 3B Mark Reynolds from the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. … Right-hander Aaron Harang and the San Diego Padres have finalized a $4 million, one-year contract. … The Milwaukee Brewers reached a deal to get right-hander Shaun Marcum from the Toronto Blue Jays for infield prospect Brett Lawrie.