Rays/MLB

AL: Boomer says he's sorry

By Wire services
Published April 19, 2006

BOSTON - David Wells said Tuesday he was wrong to criticize commissioner Bud Selig for ordering the Yankees to remove a sign apologizing for the absence of star players who were at the World Baseball Classic.

The Yankees put up a sign in early March at their spring training ballpark, apologizing to fans for the absence of players who were at the WBC. Major League Baseball then directed that the Yankees remove the sign.

In the interview with the Hartford Courant published March 8, Wells was quoted as saying, "Bud Selig needs to resign. That's what he needs to do.

"He needs to resign and bring someone in who's capable of communicating with the players association and the owners, as well as the players, because there's so much hatred against Bud right now. It's a joke. Nobody likes him."

Wells sounded a more conciliatory note Tuesday.

"I wish to apologize for my comments of a few weeks ago regarding commissioner Bud Selig," the Boston left-hander said in an e-mailed statement.

"While I disagreed then and still disagree today with Commissioner Selig's response to a sign posted at the Yankees spring training stadium regarding the World Baseball Classic, my remarks were overly harsh and should not have been directed personally at the commissioner," it read.

ORIOLES: The team recalled outfielder Val Majewski from Triple-A Ottawa to replace David Newhan, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right leg. Newhan's injury occurred Monday when he slid awkwardly into second base. He'll have surgery today, and will be out at least six weeks.

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 02:23:46]