MLB | Aaron honored by Alabama
Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:06:29 -0700

The Associated Press reports former Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron was honored by the state of Alabama Monday, Aug. 20, when he was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor.

MLB | Robinson’s Daughter Doesn’t Want Clemente’s Number Retired
Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:47:06 -0800

The Associated Press reports Sharon Robinson, the daughter of Jackie Robinson, doesn't want baseball to retire Roberto Clemente's number. The Hispanics Across America advocacy group wants Clemente's number set aside the way the late Robinson's No. 42 was nine years ago. But Robinson said that honor should remain for her father only. "To my understanding, the purpose of retiring my father's number is that what he did changed all of baseball, not only for African-Americans but also for Latinos, so I think that purpose has been met," Robinson said. "When you start retiring numbers across the board, for all different groups, you're kind of diluting the original purpose."

MLB | Retired Bautista Files for Free Agency
Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:52:17 -0800

SportsTicker reports retired OF Danny Bautista filed for free agency.

MLB | Retired Alomar Files for Free Agency
Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:47:16 -0800

SportsTicker reports retired 2B Roberto Alomar filed for free agency.

Japanese League | Irabu Retired
Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:12:29 -0700

The Associated Press reports Japanese League SP Hideki Irabu has retired.

Retired | Caminiti Gets 180 Days in Jail
Tue, 05 Oct 2004 11:58:57 -0700

The Associated Press reports former MLB 3B Ken Caminiti was sentenced to 180 days in jail for violating his probation by testing positive for cocaine last month. But state District Judge William Harmon gave Caminiti credit for time he already has served in jail and a treatment facility since he was sentenced to three years probation for cocaine possession in March 2001. As a result, Caminiti, who already has spent 189 days behind bars, was expected to be released from jail Tuesday, Oct. 5, his attorney said.

Retired | Caminiti Failed Four Drug Tests
Tue, 14 Sep 2004 13:18:51 -0700

The Associated Press reports former MLB 3B Ken Caminiti has failed four drug tests since going on probation in 2002 for possession of cocaine. The fourth came last week and landed him in jail, his probation officer said. Caminiti remains in a Harris County (Texas) jail and will apply for a bond so he can be free until an Oct. 5 hearing.

Retired | Aaron: I Won't Be There For 756
Mon, 30 Aug 2004 05:35:20 -0700

The San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea reports Hank Aaron, Major League Baseball's all-time home run king, will likely skip the game where San Francisco Giants OF Barry Bonds hits home run no. 756 and breaks Aaron's record. Aaron isn't sour about the record possibly being broken, citing age as his main reason. "I hope people don't take this the wrong way," Aaron said, "but I'm 70 years old and it's hard to travel. I try to stay away from planes as much as I can. I wish him all the luck in the world. I don't have any animosity. It's his record. He should share it with his people, his family. That's the way it should be."

Retired | Rose Owes Nearly $1M
Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:02:05 -0700

Rachel La Corte, of the Associated Press, reports former Cincinnati Reds 1B Pete Rose owes $973,693.28 in back taxes from 1997 to 2002, according to a federal tax lien filed by the IRS.

Retired | John Injured
Fri, 06 Aug 2004 15:55:36 -0700

The Associated Press reports former MLB SP and current Staten Island Yankees manager Tommy John fell and dislocated his artificial hip Thursday, Aug. 5.

MLB | Clemente’s No. 21 Retired in Puerto Rico Ceremony
Thu, 08 Jul 2004 19:08:32 -0700

Ricardo Zuniga, of the Associated Press, reports Hall of Fame OF Roberto Clemente's No. 21 was retired on the right field wall at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, prior to a game between the Montreal Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, July 8. Clemente's widow, Vera, threw out the first pitch. Clemente, who was from Puerto Rico, distinguished himself both on and off the field during his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Retired | Aaron Honored On 30th Anniversary
Thu, 08 Apr 2004 22:24:25 -0700

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Guy Curtright reports former Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron was honored by the Braves Thursday night, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his then-record 715th home run. "I'm beyond that stage," Aaron said when asked about the hate mail he got at the time for breaking Babe Ruth's old record of 714. "I've always said that the person walking around with resentment and hate is a defeated person. I'm a long ways from being defeated."

Retired | Reggie Jackson Speaks up on Steroids
Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:57:58 -0800

The Associated Press reports former MLB OF Reggie Jackson recently commented on the steroids issue in Major League Baseball. Somebody definitely is guilty of taking steroids. You can't be breaking records hitting 200 home runs in three or four seasons. The greatest hitters in the history of the game didn't do that," said Jackson. "Henry Aaron never hit 50 in a season, so you're going to tell me that you're a greater hitter than Henry Aaron?" Jackson said. "Bonds hit 73 [in 2001], and he would have hit 100 if they would have pitched to him. I mean, come on, now. There is no way you can outperform Aaron and Ruth and Mays at that level. There is a reason why the greatest players of all time have 500. Then there is that group that is above 550. There is a reason for that. Guys played 19, 20, 25 years. They had 9,000 to 10,000 at-bats, and it was the same for everybody."

Retired | Aaron Addresses Steroid Issue
Sat, 06 Mar 2004 02:22:24 -0800

Don Walker of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports former Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron is upset with the Major League Baseball Players Association for obstructing steroid testing. "This game is bigger than Babe Ruth, bigger than me or Ted Williams," he said. "This is a game that belongs to everybody in the world. We need to be concerned about the problem of steroids."

Retired | Rose Inducted Into Hall... No, Not That Hall
Tue, 02 Mar 2004 05:57:28 -0800

The Associated Press reports former Cincinnati Reds 1B Pete Rose will be inducted into World Wrestling Entertainment's Hall of Fame later this month. Rose participated in three Wrestlemania events from 1998-2000 for WWE.

Retired | Santo Film Opens
Thu, 19 Feb 2004 23:48:59 -0800

The Chicago Tribune reports the documentary on the life of former Chicago Cubs 3B and current team broadcaster Ron Santo, "This Old Cub," will have its official premier March 24 in Chicago with Santo in attendance and Mike Ditka as his special guest. Santo said the film will open March 26 in eight Chicago theaters.

Retired | Did Rose Bet Earlier?
Tue, 17 Feb 2004 01:53:24 -0800

Updating an ongoing story, Paul Davies of The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting former Cincinnati Reds 1B and manager Pete Rose may have started betting on baseball games earlier than he indicated when he confessed in January.

Retired | Stenson Update
Wed, 04 Feb 2004 23:34:25 -0800

The Associated Press reports police are ruling out a relationship between the ex-girlfriend of slain Cincinnati Reds player Dernell Stenson and the suspects in his death. Police say Jennifer Gaddis, Stenson's ex, remains an investigative lead, but the November robbery that led to Stenson's death appears to have been a random act.

Retired | Burke Passes Away
Wed, 04 Feb 2004 23:29:52 -0800

The Associated Press reports Ernest Burke, a pitcher and outfielder for the Baltimore Elite Giants in the Negro Leagues, died Saturday of kidney cancer complications at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was 79. KFFL extends its condolences to Burke's friends and family.

Retired | Rose Not An Avid Reader, Says Dowd
Sun, 18 Jan 2004 22:20:51 -0800

The Associated Press reports John Dowd, who wrote the investigative piece into former Cincinnati Reds 1B Pete Rose betting on baseball, told the New York Times he does not believe Rose ever read Dowd's final report.

Retired | Suhr Dies
Sat, 17 Jan 2004 00:48:58 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting former Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Gus Suhr died on Thursday at age 98. Suhr set the NL record of 822 consecutive games played, a streak that ended in 1937 and stood until Stan Musial broke it in 1957. KFFL extends its condolences to the Suhr family and friends.

Retired | Ribant Pleads Guilty
Fri, 16 Jan 2004 15:42:59 -0800

The Associated Press reports former MLB P Dennis Ribant pleaded guilty Friday, Jan. 16, to one count of bribery and one felony count of state income tax evasion for filing a false return. Ribant, who sells life insurance, negotiated a plea agreement with the Orange County district attorney's office and it was accepted by Orange Superior Court Judge Patrick H. Donahue. He was ordered to pay restitution of nearly $102,000 in delinquent tax, penalties, interest and the cost of the investigation.

Retired | Aaron To Rose: No Way
Fri, 16 Jan 2004 00:15:23 -0800

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports former Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron harshly criticized former Cincinnati Reds 1B Pete Rose for an insincere confession, saying Rose should not be reinstated after admitting he bet on the game. "During these past few days, I've looked at Pete on television, and he hasn't given any signs of an honest confession," Aaron said.

Retired | Rose Has Another Enemy
Wed, 14 Jan 2004 23:04:11 -0800

According to The Associated Press, Hall of Fame P Ferguson Jenkins cannot ever endorse Pete Rose as a candidate for Cooperstown, the former pitcher said in an open letter released Wednesday. "Knowing what I know now, I will never support your reinstatement to the game or your bid for the Hall,'' Jenkins wrote.

Retired | What Do I Have To Do?
Fri, 09 Jan 2004 06:44:16 -0800

Updating an ongoing story, The Associated Press reports former Cincinnati Reds 1B/manager Pete Rose is upset with people who wanted him to confess and are now saying he didn't confess enough about betting on baseball. "Now you're coming clean, and it's not good enough,'' he said Thursday. "It's not right. So how can I win? How can I win if people aren't going to be fair with me?''

Retired | Nixon Arrested
Fri, 09 Jan 2004 06:43:17 -0800

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Mike Morris reports former Atlanta Braves OF Otis Nixon was arrested early Friday morning after allegedly pulling a knife on his body guard at a motel.

Retired | Rose Apologizes Further
Thu, 08 Jan 2004 00:07:52 -0800

Jack Curry and Richard Sandomir of The New York Times report former Cincinnati Reds 1B Pete Rose issued a statement Wednesday in which he apologized more intently for his past behavior. In the 13-sentence statement, Rose said, "I am terribly sorry for my actions and for my bad judgment in ever wagering on baseball," adding, "I deeply regret waiting so many years to come clean." The career major league leader in hits, Rose also apologized to baseball fans for "abusing their trust" and thanked them for "their continuing faith in me."

Retired | Rose Has Thorns?
Wed, 07 Jan 2004 07:22:39 -0800

The Boston Herald's Jack Sullivan is reporting former Cincinnati Reds 1B and manager Pete Rose may have defrauded thousands of fans and collectors out of millions of dollars by hawking forged items and bogus championship rings, according to associates. A former sidekick of Rose told the Herald Rose sold two of his World Series rings to pay off gambling debts. He also had copies made which he apparently later sold as the real deal to unsuspecting collectors, said a former official with the jewelery company who made the original rings.

Retired | Eckersley Elected
Tue, 06 Jan 2004 11:13:42 -0800

MLB.com is reporting former Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics P Dennis Eckersley was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame Tuesday, one of two to receive the honor for the 2004 season.

Retired | Molitor Elected
Tue, 06 Jan 2004 11:12:30 -0800

MLB.com is reporting former Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins SS Paul Molitor was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, one of two to make the cut for the 2004 season.

Retired | Rose Confesses
Mon, 05 Jan 2004 08:14:39 -0800

The AP's Ronald Blum reports former Cincinnati Reds OF Pete Rose confessed that he bet on baseball in his autobiography "My Prison Without Bars." "It's time to clean the slate, it's time to take responsibility," Rose said in an ABC News interview. "I'm 14 years late. I just never had the opportunity to tell anybody that was going to help me." "Yes, sir, I did bet on baseball," Rose told commissioner Bud Selig during a meeting in November 2002 about Rose's lifetime ban. "How often?" Selig asked. "Four or five times a week," Rose replied. "But I never bet against my own team, and I never made any bets from the clubhouse." "Why?" Selig asked. "I didn't think I'd get caught," said Rose. "I've consistently heard the statement: 'If Pete Rose came clean, all would be forgiven.' Well, I've done what you've asked. The rest is up to the commissioner and the big umpire in the sky," said Rose in the ABC interview.

Retired | MLB’s Oldest Player Passes Away at Age 99
Sat, 03 Jan 2004 19:07:29 -0800

The AP reports Paul Hopkins, the nation's oldest former major league baseball player, passed away on Friday, Jan. 2, at the age of 99. Hopkins, a pitcher, only played two seasons but gave up a home run to Babe Ruth in the 1927 season.

Retired | Rose: I Did It?
Sat, 03 Jan 2004 00:41:06 -0800

Updating an ongoing story, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jim Salisbury is reporting after 14 years of denial, Pete Rose is apparently about to admit that he bet on baseball. A person privy to some of the contents of Rose's new book, "My Prison Without Bars,'' which will be released Thursday, says that Rose confesses in the book to having gambled on baseball. The source, who has been briefed on the book, asked not to be identified.

Retired | Rose About To Confess?
Tue, 30 Dec 2003 21:55:21 -0800

Ira Berkow of The New York Times is reporting a new autobiography of former Cincinnati Reds 1B and manager Pete Rose is scheduled to hit bookstores next week amid widespread expectations that Rose will use it to admit publicly for the first time that he bet on baseball games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. The book, "My Prison Without Bars," has a first printing of 500,000 copies and is being handled in secretive fashion by the publisher, Rodale Press, which has embargoed the book until Jan. 8, when Rose will take part in interviews about its contents.

Retired | Calderon Shot Execution Style
Mon, 29 Dec 2003 12:53:32 -0800

Updating previous reports, the Associated Press reports former MLB OF Ivan Calderon was shot execution style and robbery was ruled out as a motive. "His pockets were not turned inside out, which is characteristic in robberies," Police Superintendent Victor Rivera Gonzalez said. "We don't know the motive of the killing, but they went directly to execute him. They came up from behind and shot him more than seven times with a .45-caliber weapon."

Retired | Calderon Shot to Death
Sun, 28 Dec 2003 14:05:28 -0800

The AP reports former major league OF Ivan Calderon was shot to death in Loiza, Puerto Rico on Saturday, Dec. 27. Two people entered a store and shot Calderon, who was 41, in the back several times. Calderon played for 10 years in the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and the Montreal Expos. He last played in 1993. KFFL offers its condolences.

Retired | Tekulve Steps Down
Wed, 17 Dec 2003 02:01:52 -0800

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Paul Meyer reports former Pittsburgh Pirates P Kent Tekulve, director of baseball operations for the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League the past two years, has resigned because of personal reasons. Tekulve has said he was not approached by the Pirates about any positions.

Retired | Clemens Mulling Decision
Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:53:51 -0800

The New York Times reports recently retired New York Yankees P Roger Clemens will take his time on deciding whether to unretire and join Houston Astros P Andy Pettitte. Clemens isn't expected to announce his intentions until late January, if even then.

Retired Players | Mantle Memorabilia Sold
Mon, 08 Dec 2003 22:42:37 -0800

The Associated Press reports hundreds of Mickey Mantle items, including awards, contracts and a prize watch, were offered Monday at Madison Square Garden by the Guernsey's auction house. The items came from the collection of Mantle's widow and two sons.

Retired | Valenzuela On Ballot
Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:32:36 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting P Fernando Valenzuela is on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot. Votes must be submitted by Dec. 31 and results will be announced on Jan. 6.

Retired | Trammell On Ballot
Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:32:01 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting former Detroit Tigers SS and current manager Alan Trammell is on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot. Votes must be submitted by Dec. 31 and results will be announced on Jan. 6.

Retired | Tewksbury On Ballot
Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:31:33 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting P Bob Tewksbury is on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot. Votes must be submitted by Dec. 31 and results will be announced on Jan. 6.

Retired | Sutter On Ballot
Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:30:54 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting P Bruce Sutter is on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot. Votes must be submitted by Dec. 31 and results will be announced on Jan. 6.

Retired | Stieb On Ballot
Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:30:28 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting P Dave Stieb is on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot. Votes must be submitted by Dec. 31 and results will be announced on Jan. 6.

Retired | Smith On Ballot
Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:30:04 -0800

The Associated Press is reporting P Lee Smith is on the 2004 Hall of Fame ballot. Votes must be submitted by Dec. 31 and results will be announced on Jan. 6.