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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2001
Malone reportedly forced out as Dodgers GM
SAN FRANCISCO -- Kevin Malone was forced out as general manager of the Dodgers on Wednesday because of a three-year pattern of roster mistakes and embarrassing situations, and the team selected Dave Wallace as interim general manager, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Chairman Bob Daly and president Bob Graziano informed Malone in the afternoon, then persuaded Wallace, a special assistant to Malone, to run baseball operations, the Times reported.
Wallace, who returned to the organization in December, will assist Graziano in a search for a permanent replacement. John Hart, outgoing general manager of the Indians, is the top candidate.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, announced the Dodger Stadium press box would be named in honor of Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully in a ceremony Saturday night.
ST. LOUIS -- Mark McGwire's balky right knee has landed him back on the disabled list.
The Cardinals first baseman, limited to six games this season, still is recovering from off-season surgery to correct tendinitis, and the team believes he pushed himself too much.
The move to the 15-day disable list made Wednesday was retroactive to Monday, but he could be out much longer.
"The figure I'd pick out is longer than 15 days," manager Tony La Russa said before the Cardinals played the Diamondbacks. "It's hard to believe in 15 days he would be ready for this."
It has been six months since McGwire had surgery. Cardinals doctors say the quickest recovery for an athlete from similar surgery is six months, for NBA player Alonzo Mourning. La Russa said others have required 11 and 12 months.
MARLINS' STADIUM: A proposed tax rebate for a new stadium for the Florida Marlins is headed to the House floor after clearing its final committee in the chamber. There was no debate in the House Smarter Government Council on the bill to subsidize the building of a downtown Miami stadium, but it narrowly cleared the panel 7-5.
MALONE IN TROUBLE: General manager Kevin Malone's career with the Dodgers could be over within days. The Associated Press reported that Malone likely would resign or be fired by today. Malone admitted challenging a fan to a fight over the weekend in San Diego, the latest of several incidents that have upset team management.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, announced the Dodger Stadium press box would be named in honor of Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully in a ceremony Saturday night.
UMP SEES BROTHER PITCH: Jim Wolf, a minor-league umpire working his first games of the season, worked third base while brother Randy pitched the second game of the Phillies' doubleheader with the Cubs. Major-league officials said when Jim Wolf was called up in September 1999 that they'd make sure he didn't work the plate in games his brother was scheduled to start.
RIJO RETURN?: Former Reds pitcher Jose Rijo, out of the majors since 1995, wants to make a comeback. "I feel good physically," the 36-year-old Rijo said on Radio Norte. "Others have returned and I hope to do the same." Rijo left the major leagues after surgery on his right elbow.
GARAGIOLA LEAVES POST: Joe Garagiola stepped down as president emeritus of the Baseball Assistance Team, an organization he helped form to assist former players and other ex-baseball employees in financial need. He wouldn't give a reason.
BLUE JAYS: Left-hander Mike Sirotka, acquired in a disputed trade with the White Sox, is scheduled to have season-ending surgery on his pitching shoulder. Sirotka, who never threw a pitch after being acquired in January in the David Wells deal, is expected to be out 7-12 months.
EXPOS: Rightfielder Vlad Guerrero left in the ninth inning after being hit on his right hand by a pitch from the Mets' Donne Wall. X-rays revealed a contusion, and he was listed as day-to-day.
ORIOLES: Cal Ripken, who's batting .125, was kept out of the starting lineup by manager Mike Hargrove, who said the third baseman might be held out of today's game against Cleveland. Hargrove insisted that nothing should be read into the move, pointing out the 40-year-old Ripken was due for a day off after playing in five straight games.
RANGERS: Closer Tim Crabtree was sent to Arlington to be examined by team spine consultant Drew Dossett. Crabtree, 31, a right-hander who has no history of back problems, hasn't pitched since Saturday because of back spasms.
YANKEES: With centerfielder Bernie Williams still tending to his ill father in Puerto Rico, New York called up outfielder Donzell McDonald from Triple-A Columbus and demoted left-hander Randy Keisler.