Baseball

Ailing Pujols expecting to return today

By Times Wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 22, 2003

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ST. LOUIS - The only way to stop Albert Pujols these days is to keep him from picking up a bat.

The NL Triple Crown threat, who has a 30-game hitting streak, became ill Sunday. His Cardinals had a day off Monday and he was feeling flu-like symptoms Tuesday when he dropped his appeal of a two-game suspension.

Pujols wasn't ready Thursday, complaining of chills and fever that has spiked as high as 103 degrees at night. The longest hitting streak in the majors this season remained on hold.

"It's bad, it's real bad," Pujols said. "I haven't felt anything like this before."

Today looks like a good possibility for his return. A brief batting practice stint Thursday provided a hopeful note: He hit four home runs in about 15 swings.

"I'm surprised the way I was capable of driving some of the balls," Pujols said. "Hopefully I feel better (today) and I'll be in the lineup."

The Cardinals also announced that right-hander Matt Morris, out with a broken hand and sprained left ankle since July 22, will start Saturday without the benefit of a rehabilitation assignment.

WILLIS, DAD REUNITE: Dontrelle Willis' eventful trip this week with the Marlins included a reunion with his father, their first meeting in 19 years. The rookie left-hander pitches today in San Francisco, across the bay from his hometown of Alameda.

Willis was 2 when his father left home and had no memory of him. Dontrelle arranged their get-together before the Marlins arrived this week for three games in Denver, where Harold Willis lives.

"I gave him a handshake and a hug as we just chilled," Dontrelle said. "We tried to catch up the best way we can."

He said his father didn't know Dontrelle was a baseball player, much less an All-Star.

BOSOX BROADCASTER DIES: Ken Coleman, the broadcaster whose resonant voice carried Red Sox fans through some of their greatest victories and biggest disappointments, died in Plymouth, Mass., where he was being treated for complications from bacterial meningitis. He was 78.

Mr. Coleman, a Red Sox broadcaster for 20 years, called the team's heartbreaking loss in the 1986 World Series, when a grounder rolled through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs. He was with Boston through the 1967 "Impossible Dream" season, when the team made an improbable World Series run before losing to St. Louis.

CHISOX BOOST PEN: Chicago acquired right-hander Scott Sullivan and cash from the Reds for a player to be named. Sullivan was 6-0 with a 3.62 ERA in 50 relief appearances this season. He had 43 strikeouts in 492/3 innings.

A'S: Left-hander Mark Mulder, who leads the majors with nine complete games, went on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his right hip. The injury is not considered serious and he is not expected to miss more than the DL time.

MARINERS: The team suspended Class A infielder Evel Bastida for the rest of the minor-league season and is considering releasing him for hitting a pitcher with a bat. Bastida, who attacked Lancaster's Josh Kranawetter on Monday after being hit by a pitch, was fined an undisclosed amount by the California League and could face felony assault charges.

ORIOLES: Outfielder Marty Cordova is scheduled for ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, ending a season in which he played nine games.

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