The Yankees release outfielder Ruben Rivera for stealing Derek Jeter’s mitt out of his locker, and selling it on the black market for $2,500. There are rumors that Rivera also took other memorabilia items, such as things belonging to Roger Clemens, but Clemens denies it. Rivera had been signed to a one-year contract for $1 million.

ByTom

The Yankees release outfielder Ruben Rivera for stealing Derek Jeter’s mitt out of his locker, and selling it on the black market for $2,500. There are rumors that Rivera also took other memorabilia items, such as things belonging to Roger Clemens, but Clemens denies it. Rivera had been signed to a one-year contract for $1 million.

The Red Sox replace Joe Kerrigan with Grady Little

The Red Sox replace Joe Kerrigan with Grady Little

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Red Sox replace Joe Kerrigan, who was fired last week, with Grady Little, who will manage the team for two years, compiling a 188-136 (.580) record and making one appearance in the postseason as the AL wild card. The once-popular skipper’s contract will not be renewed for 2004 when he becomes the target of fans’ angst for not pulling out starter Pedro Martinez with a three-run lead in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the ALCS, a contest Boston will eventually lose in the eleventh on Aaron Boone’s walk-off home run.

Red Sox skipper Joe Kerrigan becomes the fourth manager to be fired during spring training. The team’s former pitching coach, who guided the club to a 17-26 record after taking over for Jimy Williams last August, had signed a multi-year contract to be Boston’s field boss with then-GM Dan Duquette, but was not favored by the new ownership that took control last month.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Red Sox skipper Joe Kerrigan becomes the fourth manager to be fired during spring training. The team’s former pitching coach, who guided the club to a 17-26 record after taking over for Jimy Williams last August, had signed a multi-year contract to be Boston’s field boss with then-GM Dan Duquette, but was not favored by the new ownership that took control last month.

2002 – Cleveland Indians center fielder Alex Escobar will have reconstructive knee surgery, after he crashes into an outfield wall, and will miss the entire season. Escobar, who was acquired in the Roberto Alomar trade, was once a highly touted Mets prospect. His stock has fallen considerably in recent years, due to injury problems.

ByTom

2002 – Cleveland Indians center fielder Alex Escobar will have reconstructive knee surgery, after he crashes into an outfield wall, and will miss the entire season. Escobar, who was acquired in the Roberto Alomar trade, was once a highly touted Mets prospect. His stock has fallen considerably in recent years, due to injury problems.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Jeff Kent breaks his thumb at home and is expected to be out for the next 4 to 6 weeks. He claims he was “washing his truck” when the incident occurred, although a number of journalists are skeptical.

ByTom

San Francisco Giants second baseman Jeff Kent breaks his thumb at home and is expected to be out for the next 4 to 6 weeks. He claims he was “washing his truck” when the incident occurred, although a number of journalists are skeptical.