Kansas City Royals manager Tony Muser began his eight-game suspension starting with Tuesday night’s game against Milwaukee instead of waiting until the end of the week.
“I figured today would be the best time to take it,” Muser said.
Muser and Anaheim manager Terry Collins both were given eight-game suspensions in the aftermath of last week’s brawl between the Angels and Royals, which led to 12 ejections.
Muser had thought about asking American League president Gene Budig to reduce the suspension until Collins announced he would not protest and begin serving his eight games on Tuesday.
“Collins kind of stuck a gaffe in me,” Muser said Tuesday. “I thought he was going to appeal it, but he accepted it, so there went my shot.”
Dykstra’s `done’: Phillies center-fielder Lenny Dykstra, citing the back problems that have kept him out of the lineup for the last 1 1/2 years, said in a TV interview that he won’t play baseball again.
“I’m done,” Dykstra said. “I’m not physically able to play again.”
Dykstra, 35, stopped short of declaring he is retired. Such an announcement before the end of the season would void his $5.5 million contract.
The Phillies will recoup all but $900,000 of Dykstra’s salary this year through an insurance policy.
Meetings: Media mogul Tom Hicks appears set as the new owner of the Texas Rangers, and Don Smiley’s bid to buy the Florida Marlins from Wayne Huizenga might be in trouble.
A two-day quarterly meeting of major league owners begins Wednesday in Seattle. The Rangers’ sale is on the agenda; the Marlins’ sale is not.
The owners are expected to approve the $250 million sale of the Rangers by a group headed by Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Rusty Rose to Hicks, also owner of the NHL’s Dallas Stars.
Marlins president Smiley may not be able to raise enough money to buy the team from Huizenga, complicating the franchise’s uncertain future, sources told The Associated Press in Miami. The sale may be contingent on Huizenga retaining a larger percentage of ownership than he wants.
Deals: The Orioles acquired journeyman pitcher Pete Smith from the Padres for minor-league right-hander Eric Estes. Smith, 32, had a 3-2 record with a 4.78 earned run average in 10 games with the Padres this season. . . . The Rockies acquired infielder Kurt Abbott from the Athletics for a player to be named and cash. Abbott, 29, was hitting .268 in 35 games.
Gwynn hurting: San Diego’s Tony Gwynn, who left Monday night’s game against the Reds with a strained left calf, is expected to sit out until Tuesday.
