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Baseball briefs

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 29, 2000

Old Braves help close stadium

MILWAUKEE -- Warren Spahn and Del Crandall were on hand Thursday night to help the Brewers close down Milwaukee County Stadium, a ballpark the pair helped open in 1953.

Spahn, the winningest left-hander in baseball history with 363 victories, threw the ceremonial first pitch to Crandall, his battery mate on opening day with the Milwaukee Braves 48 years ago.

"It's like the curtain's falling," said Spahn, 79, who tossed a two-bouncer from about 30 feet. "The party's over."

Spahn and Crandall, who managed the Brewers from 1972-75 after his playing days were done, were among more than 40 former Brewers, Braves and Green Bay Packers taking part in the festivities. The Brewers will move next year to Miller Park, under construction beyond County Stadium's outfield fence.

BLUE JAYS: Darrin Fletcher hit his 20th home run of the season in the fifth inning, making Toronto only the second team to have seven players with 20 or more homers. Fletcher joined Carlos Delgado (41), Tony Batista (40), Brad Fullmer (32), Jose Cruz (31), Raul Mondesi (24) and Shannon Stewart (21). The 1996 Orioles also had seven players with 20 or more homers.

BRAVES: Shortstop Walt Weiss said he's leaning toward retirement. Weiss, 36, is in the final year of a three-year, $9-million contract. He's hitting .270 with 15 errors in 77 games as the backup shortstop to rookie Rafael Furcal. Weiss is considering retirement in part because of injuries.

BREWERS: About the only thing the sellout crowd had to cheer in the last game at Milwaukee County Stadium was Olympic hero Ben Sheets. The Brewers' top minor-league pitching prospect beat Cuba 4-0 with a three-hitter this week, giving the Americans the gold medal at Sydney. He arrived at the ballpark to take part in closing day festivities and was introduced to the crowd in the middle of the fifth. Sheets emerged from the dugout with his medal dangling from his neck and waved to the crowd as it chanted, "U-S-A! U-S-A!"

EXPOS: Montreal acquired minor-league outfielder Terrmel Sledge from Seattle to complete the Aug. 8 trade that sent catcher Chris Widger to the Mariners. Sledge is the second of two players sent to Seattle in the trade. Left-hander Sean Spencer was the first.

MARLINS: Former U.S. Senate majority leader George Mitchell might have a tougher time bringing a new stadium to south Florida than he did bringing peace to Northern Ireland. Mitchell has agreed to join the team's board, aiding owner John Henry in his quest for a new ballpark in Miami.

PIRATES: First baseman Kevin Young was suspended for two games for excessive arguing during a Sept. 21 game against Milwaukee. Young, who also was fined an undisclosed amount, was found by baseball's vice president for on-field operations, Frank Robinson, to have made inappropriate comments to and making contact with an umpire. Young will begin his suspension today.

TWINS: Jay Canizaro was hit in the head by a pitch during batting practice before Thursday night's game. Canizaro, who was not wearing a batting helmet, fell and was immediately surrounded by teammates. The second baseman was taken to the hospital. Canizaro returned to the team's clubhouse during the second inning. His condition was listed as day-to-day.

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