Rogers' appeal set for Friday

By wire services
Published July 21, 2005

ARLINGTON, Texas - Kenny Rogers' appeal of his 20-game suspension for shoving two TV cameramen last month is scheduled to be heard Friday, a day after the Rangers left-hander makes his next start.

Team officials confirmed Wednesday that Rogers will have a hearing before commissioner Bud Selig in Milwaukee.

Selig imposed the 20-game suspension and a $50,000 fine for the June 29 videotaped tirade in which the three-time All-Star shoved two cameramen when he came onto the field for pregame stretching.

Rogers (11-4, 2.54 ERA) has continued to pitch pending the appeal and pitched an inning in the All-Star Game last week. The former Plant City High standout, 40, is scheduled to start today at home against Oakland, his fourth start since the incident.

Rogers turned himself in Monday to Arlington police on misdemeanor assault charges and posted a $1,500 bond.

TRADEMARK SUIT: A company that says it owns trademark rights to the name Washington Nationals baseball club answered a lawsuit brought by Major League Baseball with countercharges.

Bygone Sports LLC said it filed papers in U.S. District Court in Manhattan challenging claims brought last month by Major League Baseball Properties Inc. and Baseball Expos L.P.

The baseball entities had asked the court to declare the trademark does not belong to the company because its sole purpose in filing for a trademark was to capitalize on the naming of the new team, formerly the Montreal Expos.

TROPHY CAPER: A bankrupt club has agreed to return the 1979 World Series trophy to the Pirates if the team helps the group sell the rest of its memorabilia. The Pirates and the former Allegheny Club reached a deal regarding the ownership of the trophy.

The Allegheny Club, which operated a restaurant at the Pirates' former home, Three Rivers Stadium, declared bankruptcy in 2002. It merged with the HYP Pittsburgh Club and became the Allegheny HYP Club, which wanted to sell the trophy and other memorabilia to satisfy debts. The Pirates said the trophy and memorabilia belong to the team.

BLUE JAYS: Third baseman Corey Koskie went 1-for-4 with a run in a rehabilitation game at Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. He is recovering from a broken right thumb and ligament tear and is expected to return to the team next Tuesday.

CARDINALS: Outfielder Larry Walker responded to treatment for a stiff neck and was in the lineup against the Brewers.

DODGERS: Manager Jim Tracy said right-hander Yhency Brazoban is in no danger of losing his closer's job despite a 6.03 ERA and four blown saves. "Is there something that's that clear cut that you would say you need to make a switch? I don't see that," Tracy said.

NATIONALS: Infielder Wil Cordero was designated for assignment and outfielder Kenny Kelly was claimed off waivers from the Reds.

PHILLIES: First baseman Jim Thome, on the disabled list since July 1 with right elbow tendinitis, hit off a tee and took fielding practice but isn't ready to throw. Thome said he doesn't know when he'll start a rehabilitation assignment.

REDS: Outfielder Austin Kearns was called up from Triple-A Louisville and utility player Ryan Freel, on the disabled list since June 25 with swelling under a left toe, was activated. Kearns was demoted June 12, when he was overweight and hitting .224. He hit .342 with seven homers and 21 RBIs in 28 games at Louisville.

YANKEES: New York purchased the contract of left-hander Alex Graman from Triple-A Columbus and optioned left-hander Wayne Franklin to the Clippers a day after he gave up a big home run.

[Last modified July 21, 2005, 00:57:10]