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Baseball
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 17, 2003
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Owners unanimously approved commissioner Bud Selig's proposal to have the league that wins the All-Star Game get homefield advantage in the World Series.
Selig came up with the plan following last year's All-Star Game, which ended in a 7-7, 11-inning tie when both leagues ran out of pitchers.
"This energizes it. This gives them something to really play for," Selig said. "People pay a lot of money to see that game. They deserve to see the same intensity they see all year long. Television people pay a lot of money for the game. It was not and should not be a meaningless exhibition game."
Management lawyers will ask the players' association to approve the change. Union head Donald Fehr said before Thursday's 30-0 vote that players were undecided.
Some veterans are against it, including Mets pitcher Tom Glavine, the NL player representative.
"I would find it hard to believe that most players would want the outcome of the All-Star Game to determine homefield advantage for the World Series," he said.
Owners can't understand any opposition.
"Their arguments are kind of hollow, whatever they are," Arizona owner Jerry Colangelo said.
There will be speedup initiatives designed to make the average game 2 hours, 45 minutes.
NEW YORK -- Gary Carter will be the first player to go into the Hall of Fame with an Expos logo on his hat.
Carter had been interested in having his plaque adorned with a Mets hat -- the team he won the 1986 World Series with and now works for -- but said he wasn't upset.
The Hall of Fame consults players about the hat but makes the final call.
"I'm so honored and proud to represent the Expos," Carter said. "There's a place in my heart for every team I played on."
CARDINALS: Right-hander Brett Tomko avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $3.3-million contract. Outfielder J.D. Drew is the team's last arbitration-eligible player.
ORIOLES: Free-agent reliever Kerry Ligtenberg agreed to a $1.2-million, one-year contract.
RED SOX: Pitcher Derek Lowe had surgery for skin cancer on his nose, but is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for spring training.