Fenway fans to be charged

By wire services
Published April 20, 2005

BOSTON - Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield isn't sure whether he wants to press charges against two fans who were involved in a scuffle with him last week at Fenway Park. Boston police have made up their minds to do just that.

Sheffield met Tuesday with officials from the commissioner's office, and Boston police filed applications for misdemeanor criminal charges against the two fans. One, Christopher House, allegedly made contact with the rightfielder as he tried to get the ball near the wall, and the other, who remains unidentified, tossed a beer at him.

The commissioner's office's decision on possible discipline against Sheffield was not expected until today at the earliest.

Police asked a clerk magistrate to decide whether a disorderly conduct charge is warranted against the fans, said Officer John Boyle, a department spokesman.

PRESSURE ON ALDERSON: Sandy Alderson was hired as chief executive officer of the Padres and given a clear directive by owner John Moores.

"My expectations for Sandy are modest. I want him to turn this into the best baseball franchise in America," Moores said of Alderson, who in the 1980s built the A's into World Series contenders.

Alderson, who had been MLB's executive vice president for baseball operations, received a five-year contract and will become a minority owner.

CANSECO TRIAL: Describing himself as "a big teddy bear," former slugger Jose Canseco denied hitting anyone in a 2001 bar fight as testimony opened in Mimia in a lawsuit filed by two men. Canseco's twin brother, Ozzie, said he did most of the hitting out of fear for his own safety.

DAULTON IN JAIL: Former Phillies All-Star catcher and Safety Harbor resident Darren Daulton remained in Hillsborough County Jail without bail after being arrested for failure to appear in court on a probation violation.

NATIONALS: Jonathan Ledecky, a former co-owner of the NHL's Washington Capitals, is leading an investment group formed to buy the baseball team. The group is called Big Train Holdco after Hall of Fame pitcher Walter "Big Train" Johnson.

RED SOX: Right-hander Tim Wakefield agreed to a $4-million, one-year extension through 2006. Wakefield, 38, gave up his chance to be a free agent after the season, and Boston can renew his contract annually at the same salary.

[Last modified April 20, 2005, 02:56:36]