News Corp.’s Fox Sports is considering hiring former junk-bond financier Michael Milken as a top executive with the Los Angeles Dodgers if it buys the team, baseball owners and executives told Bloomberg News.
Milken, who spent two years in prison and paid almost a billion dollars in fines for securities law violations, is an avid baseball fan and an adviser to News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch in his bid to buy the team, baseball owners said.
He could become the team’s president and leave baseball decisions to his friend, Tommy Lasorda, the Dodgers’ manager for 20 years until last season. Lasorda, currently a Dodgers vice president, is lobbying to become the team’s general manager if the franchise is sold, baseball executives said.
Although Milken has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and agreed in April to a six-month extension of his probation while federal investigators examine his recent business activities, it wouldn’t stop him from owning, operating or becoming an executive with a major-league franchise.
Baseball rules don’t prevent felons from owning or working with a major-league team, a baseball spokesman said.
Goodwin apologizes: Curtis Goodwin said he regrets the outburst that prompted the Reds to demote him to the minors last week. General Manager Jim Bowden asked for an apology after Goodwin accused him of using racially offensive language during a meeting last Thursday about the outfielder’s shortcomings. Goodwin left the team and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
“Curtis is reporting to Indianapolis Sunday and is determined to fulfill his potential and return to the major leagues as soon as possible,” a statement from Goodwin’s agent, Dan Lozano, said. “He regrets the incident that led to his demotion and apologizes to the Cincinnati Reds organization, his teammates and, especially, the fans of Cincinnati for his handling of the situation.”
Lozano said Goodwin wants to be traded or released.
Transactions: The A’s placed outfielder Jose Canseco on the disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 1, with lower back spasms and activated infielder Tilson Brito. Canseco, batting .235 with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs, is 142 plate appearances short of a clause automatically renewing his contract with Oakland for 1998. . . . The Pirates acquired first baseman Eddie Williams from the Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Hal Garrett. Williams, 32, spent most of the season with Triple-A Albuquerque where he batted .366 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs. . . . The Orioles signed their first-round draft pick, 18-year-old outfielder Darnell McDonald. He slipped to the 26th pick in the draft after accepting a football and baseball scholarship at Texas. . . . Herb Score announced he will retire from the broadcast booth at season’s end. He has been broadcasting Indians games since 1964.
