Monday, February 18, 2002
[ MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ]
BRADENTON, Fla. >> Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Mike Fetters, the Iolani School alumnus who filed a trade demand in November, intends to rescind it if he's not dealt by the March 15 deadline. Fetters to rescind
demand for tradeStar-Bulletin wire services
Fetters, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, had the right to file the demand during the 15 days following the World Series because he was traded during a multiyear contract.
"I'm not saying a trade won't happen," Fetters said yesterday. "But as long as I've got this uniform on, I'm going to give the Pirates all that I've got. I expect to be a Pirate this year."
Fetters, a 37-year-old right-hander, was 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA and eight saves in nine chances while pitching in 20 games with the Pirates.
If the Pirates don't trade Fetters by March 15, he would become a free agent but would lose the remainder of his contract: a $2.15 million salary this year plus a $250,000 buyout of a $2.75 million club option for 2003.
"I just wanted to test the waters and see what kind of interest there was out there for an old right-handed pitcher," Fetters said. "Obviously, it didn't do much good. Either no one was interested or the Pirates really didn't push a trade."
Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said he tried to accommodate Fetters during the offseason and will continue to explore trade possibilities during spring training.
"We talked to quite a few teams," Littlefield said. "To some degree, at times, there was interest, but it wasn't overwhelming. It never got to the point of fruition."
Ted Williams cheered at museum: At Citrus Hills, Fla., a frail Ted Williams made a brief and emotional surprise visit yesterday at a ceremony honoring Cal Ripken Jr., Don Mattingly and Jason Giambi at the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame.
The crowd of more than 2,000 buzzed when onlookers spotted a van pull up to the ceremony tent. Williams was lowered to the ground in his wheelchair and rolled to the podium, where he was greeted by a thunderous ovation.
"There he is, ladies and gentleman," said former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, the master of ceremonies. "The greatest hitter that God ever put on earth, Ted Williams!"
His son, John Henry Williams, spoke for the 83-year-old Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer. The younger Williams told the audience how he, his sister Claudia and their famous father have persevered through the debilitating ailments the elder Williams has battled in recent years, including strokes, congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
John Henry Williams said he and his sister have been buoyed by their father's emotional strength.
"Dad, we love you."
A teary-eyed Williams then left the stage. Shouted one fan: "You're the man, Ted!" Williams raised his right hand and slowly saluted the cheering crowd as he was raised into the van.
Wells OK after mound session: At Tampa Fla., New York Yankees pitcher David Wells reported no problems yesterday, one day after his first throwing session off a mound in seven months.
Wells underwent back surgery last summer. He threw for 10 minutes Saturday, one week earlier than expected.
"I feel good, and that's a good sign," Wells said. "I was a little stiff like every morning. After exercising, it loosened right up."
Dodgers glad to have Nomo back: In 1995, Hideo Nomo took the baseball world by storm, starting in the All-Star game and winning the rookie of the year award with a 13-6 record and a 2.65 ERA for the Dodgers.
Seven years later, Nomo -- who re-signed with Los Angeles as a free agent on Dec. 21 -- is hoping to regain some of the magic he found when he first came to Dodgertown.
Nomo, who was traded to the New York Mets in 1998 after reportedly becoming disgruntled with the Dodgers, brings less hoopla with him this time around. Only a handful of Japanese reporters are following the 34-year-old Japanese pitcher this spring, compared to nearly 100 who showed up in 1995.
"It's definitely a new start," Nomo said through an interpreter. "My rookie year, there were a lot of expectations. There's still expectations but I have more confidence now because I can draw from my experience."
