Stottlemyre delivers parting shot to Boss

By wire services
Published October 13, 2005

NEW YORK - Almost certain he's stepping down after 10 years as Yankees pitching coach, Mel Stottlemyre had harsh words Wednesday for George Steinbrenner and the owner's treatment of manager Joe Torre.

Speaking in the Yankees clubhouse, where he has spent 21 seasons as a player and coach, Stottlemyre said he interpreted Steinbrenner's statement after the Yankees' elimination by the Angels as a slap at Torre. Steinbrenner said Tuesday: "I congratulate the Angels and their manager on the great job they've done."

"I laughed when I saw it," Stottlemyre said. "My first thoughts were, "What about Joe? Joe had done a hell of a job, too.' To congratulate the other manager and not congratulate your own after what he'd done this year, I laughed."

A Yankees coach since Torre took over as manager after the 1995 season, Stottlemyre criticized the schism between the team's New York and Tampa offices and said Torre's job status shouldn't be questioned.

"I think it's absolutely ridiculous," he said. "I've been here with Joe for 10 years, and this has by far been the toughest year for him, and it's the best job he's done. He's done a good job year in and year out; this year the job he's done was really special because he had a lot of things to battle through."

Steinbrenner had nothing to say, spokesman Howard Rubenstein said.

O'S RETAIN PERLOZZO: As a reward for guiding the Orioles through a tumultuous two-month stretch that included Rafael Palmeiro's steroid suspension, Sam Perlozzo had the "interim" label removed from his job title and signed a three-year contract as manager.

Perlozzo takes control of a team that has had eight straight losing seasons, the longest such run since the Orioles moved from St. Louis in 1954.

"We're going to go at it as hard as we can, and as long as we can, until we get a winner on this field," he said. "I look for that to happen sooner than later."

NOMAR A LIFESAVER: Nomar Garciaparra rescued two women who had fallen into Boston Harbor, his uncle and a witness told the Boston Herald.

Garciaparra, the former Red Sox shortstop who played for the Cubs this season, was in his Charlestown condominium with his uncle Friday night when they heard a scream and a splash, the uncle, Victor Garciaparra, said.

As soon as the two-time AL batting champ ran out the door to help the woman, her friend also fell in, hitting her head on the pier, said Victor Garciaparra, who oversees his nephew's business and charitable ventures. Victor Garciaparra jumped from the balcony to the water 20 feet below.

The two men pulled the women from the water. Their husbands arrived and whisked them off to the hospital before the Garciaparras got their names.

PHILLIES: Philadelphia took a first step toward retaining closer Billy Wagner, meeting with the All-Star left-hander in Virginia. Wagner was 4-3 with a 1.51 ERA and 38 saves and helped the team nearly reach the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

RED SOX: Leftfielder Manny Ramirez is seeking a new agent, possibly with the intent of orchestrating a trade out of Boston, the Sporting News reported. The slugger is currently represented by Greg Genske.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:11:19]