Owner suggests Gonzalez juiced

Owner suggests Gonzalez juiced
Giambi, Mitchell parameters nearly set.

From Tribune wire services

Published Thursday, June 21, 2007

Texas Rangers Owner Tom Hicks suspects that two-time American League MVP Juan Gonzalez might have used steroids.

"I have no knowledge that Juan used steroids. His number of injuries and early retirement just makes me suspicious," Hicks wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press yesterday. "In any event, we paid him $24 million for very few games."

Hicks was responding to questions about a television interview in which he was asked about decisions he regretted since owning the team, then mentioned the oft-injured outfielder and steroids.

"Juan Gonzalez for $24 million after he came off steroids, probably, we just gave that money away," Hicks said in the interview, aired Sunday night on KTVT-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Gonzalez had three extended stays on the disabled list when he returned to the Rangers for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Sidelined by a torn ligament in right thumb and a right calf injury, he played in only 152 of 324 games, hitting .288 with 32 homers.

"That kind rhetoric does not deserve a response, because it’s so irresponsible," said Gonzalez’s agent, Al Nero.

● RULES SET: Facing today’s deadline, lawyers neared an agreement that would lead to a meeting between Jason Giambi and steroids investigator George Mitchell.

Attorneys for MLB and the players’ union negotiated for a third straight day to work out a deal that would lead to Giambi becoming the first active player known to speak with Mitchell’s staff, several people familiar with the talks said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

Several people said it was probable an agreement on rules for a Giambi-Mitchell meeting would be reached today.

When he asked June 6 for Giambi to meet with Mitchell, Commissioner Bud Selig said he wanted the session to talk place within two weeks. Giambi’s representatives later were told the deadline would be today and it would be only for an agreement to meet, not for the meeting itself.

Selig threatened Giambi with discipline, saying cooperation with Mitchell would be factored into his decision. Any penalty imposed by Selig would have a good chance of being overturned by an arbitrator, who would have to determine whether there was "just cause."

● SCHILLING SCRATCHED: Boston Red Sox starter Curt Schilling is headed to the disabled list because of soreness in his right shoulder, though an exam found no major damage.

Schilling will be placed on the 15-day DL when the Red Sox get to San Diego tomorrow for the start of a weekend series. He had returned to Boston for treatment after losing to the Braves 9-4, his first start without a strikeout since 1993.

The good news for Schilling: An MRI exam found no major problems. But the right-hander received a cortisone shot in his ailing shoulder, which he attributed to tendinitis, and the team knew he wouldn’t make his next scheduled start Sunday.

● GOOD RIDDANCE: The Chicago Cubs traded embattled catcher Michael Barrett and cash to the San Diego Padres for backup catcher Rob Bowen and minor-league outfielder Kyler Burke.

Barrett, batting .256 with nine homers and 29 RBI, has had problems defensively and also been involved in two dugout exchanges this month with Cubs pitchers.

● QUALLS SUSPENDED: Houston reliever Chad Qualls was suspended for three games and fined $3,000 yesterday - two days after throwing a baseball into the stands at Angel Stadium in frustration.

Qualls asked the players’ union to appeal the penalty, meaning he cannot be disciplined until after a hearing is held and the appeal is decided.

Qualls allowed five runs in the seventh inning Monday night as the Astros blew a 9-4 lead to the Angels, who rallied for a 10-9 victory. After Orlando Cabrera hit an inning-ending grounder in the seventh, Qualls made the putout at first base and then threw the ball into the stands.