Times wires
Friday, April 29, 2011
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers owner Frank McCourt spoke Friday about his divorce and MLB's seizure of the team, saying his sons have released him from a vow he made in 2009 to keep family issues private.
McCourt told KCAL-TV that he would defend himself and his plans to pull the team out of financial trouble.
McCourt said a proposed $30 million loan from television partner Fox would solve the financial problems, but baseball has been too slow to approve it.
He said commissioner Bud Selig would not talk to him, but McCourt did not elaborate.
McCourt said the deal did not need approval from his ex-wife and former Dodgers CEO, Jamie McCourt.
"I'm allowed here to run this business," Frank McCourt said. " … This deal is a great deal for the Dodgers. … It's ready to go, and any questions about the Dodgers' financial stability are solved simply by these documents."
Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president of labor relations, said Selig has not vetoed the deal but was waiting for a full investigation into the finances before making a decision.
MLB sent Tom Schieffer to oversee the team's operations. Schieffer said he got his first detailed look at the finances and approved the latest payroll. "It was all within budget," he said.
Meanwhile, attorneys for McCourt filed notice that they are going to appeal the ruling that determined the team is jointly owned by Frank and Jamie McCourt.
More Dodgers: 3B Casey Blake is expected to be out up to six weeks after developing a staph infection in his left elbow.
Guillen sits over tweet
CHICAGO — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended by MLB officials for two games for arguing balls and strikes and then complaining about his ejection on Twitter during a game. MLB also said Guillen, who sat his first game Friday, had been fined an undisclosed amount. Guillen was tossed Wednesday and went on Twitter to say the ejection was pathetic.
"They told me why they're going to do it and they talked to me about taking responsibility," Guillen said. " … I shouldn't be (tweeting) during the game." He added that he will not stop using Twitter at other times.
Braves put pitching coach on leave
ATLANTA — The Braves placed pitching coach Roger McDowell on administrative leave while they investigate allegations he made homophobic comments and crude gestures toward fans before a game in San Francisco last weekend.
McDowell also is accused of using a baseball bat to threaten a fan objecting to his actions.
The former reliever apologized in a statement, but the team barred him from the bench heading into a series against St. Louis.
Lowe charged with DUI: Braves P Derek Lowe apologized after he was charged with drunken driving. He was stopped at 10 p.m. Thursday racing another car down an Atlanta street. The Braves said they would wait for the case to be resolved in the courts before they considered any disciplinary action against Lowe, who will start Sunday vs. the Cardinals.
Blue Jays: OF Rajai Davis (sprained right ankle) was activated, and rookie David Cooper, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2008, was promoted.
Reds: P Mike Leake was sentenced to counseling and 30 hours of community service after pleading guilty to a charge reduced from theft to unauthorized use of property. He was arrested April 18 after trying to leave a Macy's in Cincinnati with six T-shirts valued at $59.88. He said he wanted to exchange shirts he had bought April 2 because they were too small. Instead of seeking a clerk, he left the small shirts, picked up new ones and tried to leave. Macy's and the Hamilton County court agreed to reduce the charge.