Sports: Baseball briefs

Baseball briefs

By Compiled from Times wires

White Sox GM steps down

CHICAGO -- What a year for Ron Schueler. He was remarried, kicked a 27-year-old smoking habit and brought the White Sox to the upper echelon of the American League.

For a long time Schueler had been talking about returning to another of his loves, scouting, and leaving behind the pressures and turmoil of being a general manager.

On Tuesday, he did just that, resigning as general manager after a 10-year run that included two trips to the post-season, capped by this season's AL Central title.

"After 35 years in baseball, this is the right time for me personally and professionally to step back a little," Schueler said in a statement. "Initially, I had hoped to make the move before last season, but Jerry (Reinsdorf) asked me to stay on one more year and it turned into a tremendous season -- one of the best in my baseball career."

Schueler was replaced by Ken Williams, the team's vice president of player development since 1997.

Williams and Jerry Manuel give the White Sox the only black general manager-manager partnership currently in the majors.

Schueler, who became general manager Nov. 5, 1990, will stay with the team as a senior vice president and special consultant to Reinsdorf. He also will scout.

"Ron came to me three years ago to discuss moving toward scouting more," Reinsdorf said. "We agreed on a schedule that would have had him step down after the 1999 season, but I asked him to remain as general manager one more year to see our development along."

RIPKEN TALKS DEAL: Cal Ripken and Orioles owner Peter Angelos have begun talks over what the third baseman says may be his last contract.

Ripken, 40, and Angelos met Friday and discussed the return of baseball's Iron Man for his 21st season, Orioles spokesman Kevin Behan said.

"After meeting with Mr. Angelos, things are at ease," Ripken told the (Baltimore) Sun. "It's not a worry for me. Mr. Angelos said they want me back. I said I wanted to be back. Everything seems to be on track."

Ripken opened negotiations after convincing himself he was healthy enough to play another year. He missed 59 games while on the disabled list this summer with lower back pain.

He returned Sept. 1 and hit .307 with two homers and 13 RBI in 21 games. He finished the season at .256 with 15 homers and 56 RBI in 83 games.

RAYS' LOPEZ AN ALL-STAR: Pitcher Albie Lopez had a tremendous season for the Devil Rays after moving into the starting rotation. As a reward, he was named to the squad of major-league All-Stars who will tour Japan next month.

The U.S. team, headlined by Roberto Alomar, Barry Bonds, Carlos Delgado and Gary Sheffield, will play eight games against all-stars from the Japanese Professional League.

Atlanta's Bobby Cox will manage.

The Rays named Jose Tavarez as director of guest services. Tavarez, 47, joins the Rays after working for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission as director of operations.

EX-PITCHER CHARGED WITH DUI: Former Cardinals pitcher Danny Cox was charged with driving under the influence after a rollover crash Saturday night in Belleville, Ill., that injured his wife. Nancy Cox was treated and released at a hospital, authorities said. Danny Cox had minor injuries.

BLUE JAYS: Former catcher Buck Martinez interviewed for the team's vacant manager's job, but general manager Gord Ash downplayed the significance of making the ESPN broadcaster his first interview. Martinez met with Ash, team president Paul Godfrey and assistant general manager Tim McCleary at a hotel in New York. "There's no significance whatsoever in that, other than we knew he was here," said Ash, who was in New York for the World Series. "It was convenience more than anything."

DODGERS: It appears the team will wait at least a couple more weeks before filling its vacant managerial job. Five of the team's coaches and coaches on three other teams reportedly have interviewed, and Yankees coaches Willie Randolph and Chris Chambliss said they will be interviewed Thursday. Davey Johnson was fired Oct. 6 after guiding Los Angeles to a second-place finish in the NL West in his second season as manager. He had one year remaining on his contract worth $1.5-million.

ROCKIES: Pitcher Bobby Chouinard reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in Phoenix in his domestic violence case. Chouinard will have to serve jail time even if Maricopa County superior Court Judge Stephen Gerst accepts the plea bargain Nov. 27. Chouinard, then a member of the Diamondbacks, was arrested Christmas night at his north Phoenix home after he hit his wife and pointed a gun at her head. He will plead guilty to aggravated assault.

TIGERS: The coaching staff of Bill Madlock, Doug Mansolino, Bob Melvin, Lance Parrish, Juan Samuel and Dan Warthen will return in 2001 after agreeing to terms, the team said.

- Staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.