Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
NEW YORK - Dennis Eckersley could set the standard for Hall of Fame closers.
Eckersley hopes to become the third relief pitcher elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America when voting results are announced today.
He and 3,000-hit man Paul Molitor, both on the ballot for the first time, have impressive Cooperstown credentials, but the waiting is driving Eckersley mad.
"It's killing me, is what it's doing," he said Monday. "It's murdering me. Tell me already, so I can deal with it if I don't. I feel like a little kid, where you're dangling something in front of me. I can't even sleep. I'm like a yo-yo."
How Eckersley fares could have a ripple effect for other relievers.
Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith and Goose Gossage were on the ballot again this year. Several active closers, led by San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, will warrant Hall of Fame consideration after they retire. And though the bullpen has become such an important part of modern baseball, voters have been slow to reward star relievers with enshrinement.
Relying on pinpoint control, Eckersley was the most effective reliever in baseball from 1988-92, helping the Athletics to four division titles and a World Series championship. He won the AL MVP and Cy Young awards in 1992.
Molitor appears to be a lock for election.
With quick wrists and smarts at the plate, he ranks eighth on the career list with 3,319 hits. He batted .306 with 1,782 runs and 1,307 RBIs in 21 seasons.
"The fact I spent so much of my playing time as a DH might work against me," Molitor recently told Baseball Digest. "But a lot of that was due to my being on the disabled list in nine different seasons."
ROYALS, GONZALEZ NEAR DEAL: The Royals appear to have the inside track on signing Juan Gonzalez. His agent, Alan Nero, said Royals general manager Allard Baird had traveled to Phoenix to meet with the outfielder and manager Tony Pena had spoken with Gonzalez.
ALOMAR, D'BACKS CLOSE: Arizona is close to signing 12-time All-Star second baseman Roberto Alomar. A deal could come today.
PADRES GET CIRILLO: Seattle has reached an agreement to trade third baseman Jeff Cirillo to San Diego for right-hander Kevin Jarvis, catcher Wiki Gonzalez and infielder Dave Hansen.
EXPOS-INDIANS TRADE: Montreal traded right-handed reliever Scott Stewart to Cleveland for two minor-leaguers, outfielder Ryan Church and infielder Maicer Izturis. The Indians also agreed to a minor-league contract with right-hander Jeff D'Amico, a former Northeast High standout.
STEROID TESTING: Angels right-hander Derrick Turnbow became the first player publicly identified as testing positive for a banned steroid. Turnbow tested positive Oct. 7. He said he had taken an over-the-counter dietary supplement containing metabolites of a steroid.
CLEMENS HONORED: Six-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens will receive the Thurman Munson Award from the Association for the Help of Retarded Children at the organization's dinner Feb. 3.
METS: Right-handed reliever Braden Looper passed his physical, and his $6.75-million, two-year contract is expected to be formally announced today.
RANGERS: Eric Young agreed to a $1-million, one-year contract to take on a utility role rather than play every day at second base.
YANKEES: Javier Vazquez agreed to a $45-million, four-year contract. The right-hander was acquired from Montreal on Dec. 4.
OBITUARY: Max West, who played seven years in late 1930s and '40s and whose homer led the NL to a 4-0 victory in the 1940 All-Star Game, died Wednesday of brain cancer in Sierra Madre, Calif. He was 87.