The athlete targeted in an alleged $150,000 shakedown by an unemployed ex-con was former Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard, a person close to the matter confirmed Tuesday to the Associated Press.
Federal prosecutors have described the athlete in court only as “the victim.” Court papers have referred only to a “John Doe” in accusing George Edwards, 48, of extortion for allegedly seeking money for silence about the player supposedly impregnating the man’s daughter.
The person familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is pending, on Tuesday identified the player as Belliard, a married father of two children who spent part of last season with the Cardinals and recently signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals.
– Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson, who went 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA as a rookie in 2006, finally has a diagnosis for his sore arm–an irritated ulnar nerve that will likely force him to miss at least the first two months of the season.
– Reigning NL batting champion Freddy Sanchez sprained a ligament in his right knee while turning a double play and left the Pirates’ game against the Phillies in the fourth inning. . . . Mike Piazza suffered a bruised left triceps when he was hit by a pitch from the Royals’ Brian Bannister in the third inning of Tuesday’s game.
