MLB Notebook: White Sox to 'unretire' Aparicio's No. 11
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The Chicago White Sox are taking Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio's number 11 out of retirement for newly acquired 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel.
A Venezuelan like Aparicio, Vizquel will wear the number as a tribute to his countryman.
"For me, it's like a huge celebration, trying to keep his name alive and trying to spread the word of Venezuelan shortstops," Vizquel said Monday during a conference call. "I think every kid now -- the new generation of shortstops in Venezuela -- has to know about Luis Aparicio and everything that he means to us in this game."
Aparicio said if there's one player he'd like to see wear his number, it's Vizquel, the leader among shortstops in games (2,681) and a three-time AL All-Star.
Minnesota owner Jim Pohlad says he's staying out of contract negotiations with catcher Joe Mauer. Pohlad declined to discuss specifics or confirm the team is talking about a long-term extension for the American League MVP. Pohlad said the Twins simply want to have Mauer in uniform. First baseman Justin Morneau's six-year contract is the longest in team history. Pohlad says he doesn't see six as a "magic number" for length of a deal, when asked about his potential willingness to approve a longer contract for Mauer.
The Brewers are erecting a statue of baseball commissioner Bud Selig outside Miller Park and will unveil it Aug. 24. Selig headed a group that bought the Seattle Pilots in bankruptcy court in 1970, moved the franchise to Milwaukee and renamed it the Brewers. He became acting commissioner in 1992 and took the job full time six years later, turning control of the team over to his daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb. The Selig family sold the team to a group headed by Mark Attanasio in 2005.
Former major league manager Bob Melvin has been hired as a professional scout by New York, who also brought back Mookie Wilson as their minor league outfield and base running coordinator. Melvin was the NL Manager of the Year in 2007 with Arizona. He managed the Seattle Mariners from 2003-04 and then the Diamondbacks from 2005 until he was fired May 8 and replaced by A.J. Hinch.
Randy Winn and New York have finalized a $1.1 million, one-year contract. The outfielder can earn an additional $900,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. The team also signed outfielder Marcus Thames to a minor league contract.
The Baseball Hall of Fame will hold a second annual Hall of Fame Classic on Father's Day this year. Hall president Jeff Idelson says tickets for the June 20 old-timer's game at Doubleday Field will go on sale March 20 in Cooperstown.
First Published February 9, 2010 12:00 am
