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Suit claims draft is biased against Cubans

By Times staff and wire reports

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 20, 2001

TAMPA -- A sports agent filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball on Wednesday saying the league's policies concerning the draft status of Cuban players are illegal.

Joseph S. Kehoskie, who represents several Cuban players, said in the suit that the league discriminates against Cuban players on the basis of their national origin. He also said the league defamed him when he tried to find a way to help his clients navigate the policies.

The suit is similar to one filed in May by Kehoskie's client, Rolando Viera. Both suits contend the league's policy unfairly targets Cubans by forcing them into the draft with U.S. and Canadian residents, limiting their chance to sign a contract with the team of their choice.

Foreign players from other countries are allowed to avoid the draft and sign as free agents. That allows the foreign players to shop their talents to the highest bidder or play for the team of their choice.

BLUE JAYS: Toronto doesn't know what's wrong with right-hander Kelvim Escobar, who left his second start this month Tuesday with numbness in his right arm. Tests were inconclusive. ... The team gave away 15,000 Cal Ripken bobblehead dolls. The Orioles star plans to retire at the end of the season.

BRAVES: Catcher Eddie Perez learned that his father, Salvador Perez, has cancer and has begun chemotherapy. Perez considered going home to Maracaibo, Venezuela, but his brothers and father encouraged him to stay.

BREWERS: Rookie right-hander Ben Sheets is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday and start against the Reds.

CUBS: Catcher Joe Girardi flew home to Peoria, Ill., to be with his father, who is having heart surgery.

EXPOS: Right-hander Tony Armas, who threw on the side before the game, is scheduled to start Friday for the first time since Sept. 9, when he left after three innings with a strained muscle in his left lower back.

METS: When the team returns to Shea Stadium on Friday night, increased security will eliminate one of baseball's time-honored traditions: fans moving close to the field to watch batting practice. Fans will be asked to go directly to their seats and stay there during warmups.

PHILLIES: Right-handed reliever Turk Wendell has tendinitis in his pitching elbow and is out indefinitely.

REDS: Batting coach Ken Griffey remained in a hospital for tests to see why he had shortness of breath. Griffey told the club all the tests have come back normal.

YANKEES: Manager Joe Torre said the team probably won't know for a few days the status of catcher Jorge Posada's appeal of a six-game suspension. Posada was ejected by umpire Andy Fletcher after being called out on strikes for the second time during a game Sept. 3.

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