ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is suing the social-networking site Twitter, claiming an unauthorized page that used his name to make light of drunken driving and two Cardinals pitchers who died damaged his reputation and caused emotional distress.
The suit filed last month in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco seeks unspecified damages.
Messages left Thursday with La Russa's attorney and San Francisco-based Twitter were not returned.
The lawsuit claims that someone created a false account under La Russa's name and posted updates, known as "tweets," that gave the false impression that the comments came from La Russa. The suit said the comments were "derogatory and demeaning" and damaged La Russa's trademark rights.
The account bearing La Russa's name is no longer active. The lawsuit includes a screen shot of three tweets. One posted on April 19 said: "Lost 2 out of 3, but we made it out of Chicago without one drunk driving incident or dead pitcher."
Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile died of a heart condition in his Chicago hotel room in 2002. Cardinals reliever Josh Hancock died in an auto accident in April 2007, and the medical examiner measured his blood-alcohol level at of 0.157 — nearly twice the legal limit.
One month earlier, La Russa was found sleeping behind the wheel of a running sport utility vehicle in spring training with a blood-alcohol level of 0.093 percent. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.
La Russa's lawsuit said the page bearing his name was hurtful to the 64-year-old manager, who has led the Cardinals since 1996 and also managed the Chicago White Sox and Oakland A's during a 30-year managerial career.
The lawsuit includes a screenshot of tweets with the heading "Hey there! Tony La Russa is using Twitter," with a picture of the manager. The same page includes an aside that reads, "Bio Parodies are fun for everyone."
Some professional athletes and others connected to pro sports have embraced Twitter. Shaquille O'Neal posted a message on his Twitter.com site saying he was pulling for former teammate Kobe Bryant to win a fourth championship as the Lakers entered the NBA finals against Orlando.
"I am saying it today and today only," O'Neal tweeted. "I want kobe bryant to get number four, spread da word."
Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens posted a message on his Twitter site Tuesday that his search for a home to rent hit a snag because residents "(don't) want any drama n their neighborhood!! LOL!!! Wow!!."
by the associated press
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Showing posts with label MBL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MBL. Show all posts
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Rockies finaly take a game away from Astros
HOUSTON (AP) — Garrett Atkins broke out of a slump with two home runs and the Colorado Rockies snapped a four-game losing skid with a 10-3 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday night.
Ryan Spilborghs and Brad Hawpe added solo homers and Jason Hammel pitched seven effective innings for the Rockies, who avoided a sweep and stopped Houston's four-game winning streak.
Hammel (2-3) allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in his longest outing of the season.
The Rockies pounded Wandy Rodriguez (5-5), who lost his third straight start after winning his previous four decisions. Rodriguez came in with an 0.79 ERA at Minute Maid Park, but gave up seven runs and 10 hits in five innings.
Colorado jumped to a 2-0 lead in the third inning before the home run outburst began.
Spilborghs led off with a double and scored on Clint Barmes' triple to the right-field corner. Todd Helton drove in Barmes with an RBI single to center.
Two outs later, Atkins hammered a 1-0 pitch off the brick facade in left-center. Atkins was mired in an 11-for-86 slump and hadn't homered since April 25.
In the fourth, Spilborghs hit an opposite-field drive into the Astros' bullpen, his fifth home run of the season. Then Spilborghs made a tough over-the-shoulder catch in the bottom of the inning on Lance Berkman's deep fly to straightaway center.
Hawpe and Atkins hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to put the Rockies up 7-1. Colorado had back-to-back home runs for the fourth time this season and Atkins recorded multiple homers in a game for the sixth time in his career. Atkins hadn't even had a multihit game since April 27.
Hammel, who came in with a 1.64 ERA in five road appearances this season, retired the first seven hitters he faced and never struggled.
Houston got its first run in the third, when Edwin Maysonet singled and scored on Michael Bourn's double down the right-field line.
Hammel struck out the next three batters and didn't allow another hit until Berkman led off the seventh with a double. Berkman scored on Maysonet's two-out single to make it 7-2.
Colorado tacked on three runs in the eighth inning off Brandon Backe. The Astros added one in the bottom half off Jason Grilli.
Miguel Tejada went 0 for 5 to end his 17-game hitting streak.
Notes:@ The Rockies tied their season high for home runs in a game. Colorado also hit four home runs in a 12-1 win over the Astros on May 12 at Coors Field. ... Astros RHP Geoff Geary threw about 40 pitches in the bullpen and will start a rehab stint with Houston's Double-A affiliate this weekend. Geary has been on the disabled list since May 14 with right biceps tendinitis. ... Colorado manager Jim Tracy didn't know when C Yorvit Torrealba would rejoin the team. Torrealba flew to Venezuela on Tuesday after learning his 11-year-old son and brother-in-law had been kidnapped. The son and brother-in-law were free again on Thursday. "I can't even begin to tell you, having children of my own, how gratified you are that everything has worked out," Tracy said.
by the associated press
Ryan Spilborghs and Brad Hawpe added solo homers and Jason Hammel pitched seven effective innings for the Rockies, who avoided a sweep and stopped Houston's four-game winning streak.
Hammel (2-3) allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in his longest outing of the season.
The Rockies pounded Wandy Rodriguez (5-5), who lost his third straight start after winning his previous four decisions. Rodriguez came in with an 0.79 ERA at Minute Maid Park, but gave up seven runs and 10 hits in five innings.
Colorado jumped to a 2-0 lead in the third inning before the home run outburst began.
Spilborghs led off with a double and scored on Clint Barmes' triple to the right-field corner. Todd Helton drove in Barmes with an RBI single to center.
Two outs later, Atkins hammered a 1-0 pitch off the brick facade in left-center. Atkins was mired in an 11-for-86 slump and hadn't homered since April 25.
In the fourth, Spilborghs hit an opposite-field drive into the Astros' bullpen, his fifth home run of the season. Then Spilborghs made a tough over-the-shoulder catch in the bottom of the inning on Lance Berkman's deep fly to straightaway center.
Hawpe and Atkins hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to put the Rockies up 7-1. Colorado had back-to-back home runs for the fourth time this season and Atkins recorded multiple homers in a game for the sixth time in his career. Atkins hadn't even had a multihit game since April 27.
Hammel, who came in with a 1.64 ERA in five road appearances this season, retired the first seven hitters he faced and never struggled.
Houston got its first run in the third, when Edwin Maysonet singled and scored on Michael Bourn's double down the right-field line.
Hammel struck out the next three batters and didn't allow another hit until Berkman led off the seventh with a double. Berkman scored on Maysonet's two-out single to make it 7-2.
Colorado tacked on three runs in the eighth inning off Brandon Backe. The Astros added one in the bottom half off Jason Grilli.
Miguel Tejada went 0 for 5 to end his 17-game hitting streak.
Notes:@ The Rockies tied their season high for home runs in a game. Colorado also hit four home runs in a 12-1 win over the Astros on May 12 at Coors Field. ... Astros RHP Geoff Geary threw about 40 pitches in the bullpen and will start a rehab stint with Houston's Double-A affiliate this weekend. Geary has been on the disabled list since May 14 with right biceps tendinitis. ... Colorado manager Jim Tracy didn't know when C Yorvit Torrealba would rejoin the team. Torrealba flew to Venezuela on Tuesday after learning his 11-year-old son and brother-in-law had been kidnapped. The son and brother-in-law were free again on Thursday. "I can't even begin to tell you, having children of my own, how gratified you are that everything has worked out," Tracy said.
by the associated press
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Brewers win 9-5 win over Reds
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Mike Cameron hit a go-head two-run homer in a six-run fifth inning, waking up the Milwaukee Brewers' latent offense in a 9-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.
Cincinnati was without offensive standout Joey Votto, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with stress-related issues believed to be linked to his ongoing struggles with an inner-ear infection — although club officials were hesitant to go into detail about the situation.
But pitching was the Reds' biggest problem Saturday, especially in a fifth inning that at times seemed like it might last all night.
With Milwaukee trailing 5-3 going into the fifth, Ryan Braun hit a one-out solo home run to cut Cincinnati's lead to one. Prince Fielder then singled, and Cameron hit a 1-1 pitch from Reds starter Aaron Harang deep to left-center field for his 10th home run of the season and a 6-5 Milwaukee lead.
It was the Brewers' third home run of the night off Harang (5-5), who also allowed a three-run homer by Fielder in the first. But it didn't stop there.
Corey Hart reached on an infield hit, then barely beat a throw home to score on a double by Bill Hall. Reds manager Dusty Baker then removed Harang in favor of Jared Burton.
Burton allowed a ground-rule double to Mike Rivera, scoring Hall to give the Brewers an 8-5 lead. Burton then got Brewers relief pitcher Seth McClung to swing at strike three, but a wild pitch got away from catcher Ryan Hanigan, allowing McClung to take first and Rivera to take third.
Rivera then scored on an RBI single by Craig Counsell, and the inning finally ended on back-to-back flyouts.
Harang, who had won three of his previous four starts, gave up 12 hits and was tagged for eight runs Saturday. Milwaukee had scored four runs or fewer in each of its previous 10 games, going 4-6 during that stretch.
McClung (2-1) pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win after Milwaukee starter Dave Bush turned in his shortest start of the season. Bush gave up five runs, seven hits and three walks in four innings.
Bush allowed three runs on a pair of home runs in the first, including a two-run shot by Jerry Hairston Jr. and a solo homer by Brandon Phillips, who made his first start in a week because of a right thumb injury.
Notes:@ Milwaukee tied a season high for runs in an inning. The Brewers also scored six runs in the seventh inning of a victory over the Chicago Cubs on May 9. ... With Votto on the disabled list, the Reds called up utility player Wilkin Castillo from Triple-A Louisville. ... CF Chris Dickerson took an extra-base hit away from Craig Counsell with a remarkable sliding catch at the warning track in the fourth.
by the associated press
Cincinnati was without offensive standout Joey Votto, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with stress-related issues believed to be linked to his ongoing struggles with an inner-ear infection — although club officials were hesitant to go into detail about the situation.
But pitching was the Reds' biggest problem Saturday, especially in a fifth inning that at times seemed like it might last all night.
With Milwaukee trailing 5-3 going into the fifth, Ryan Braun hit a one-out solo home run to cut Cincinnati's lead to one. Prince Fielder then singled, and Cameron hit a 1-1 pitch from Reds starter Aaron Harang deep to left-center field for his 10th home run of the season and a 6-5 Milwaukee lead.
It was the Brewers' third home run of the night off Harang (5-5), who also allowed a three-run homer by Fielder in the first. But it didn't stop there.
Corey Hart reached on an infield hit, then barely beat a throw home to score on a double by Bill Hall. Reds manager Dusty Baker then removed Harang in favor of Jared Burton.
Burton allowed a ground-rule double to Mike Rivera, scoring Hall to give the Brewers an 8-5 lead. Burton then got Brewers relief pitcher Seth McClung to swing at strike three, but a wild pitch got away from catcher Ryan Hanigan, allowing McClung to take first and Rivera to take third.
Rivera then scored on an RBI single by Craig Counsell, and the inning finally ended on back-to-back flyouts.
Harang, who had won three of his previous four starts, gave up 12 hits and was tagged for eight runs Saturday. Milwaukee had scored four runs or fewer in each of its previous 10 games, going 4-6 during that stretch.
McClung (2-1) pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win after Milwaukee starter Dave Bush turned in his shortest start of the season. Bush gave up five runs, seven hits and three walks in four innings.
Bush allowed three runs on a pair of home runs in the first, including a two-run shot by Jerry Hairston Jr. and a solo homer by Brandon Phillips, who made his first start in a week because of a right thumb injury.
Notes:@ Milwaukee tied a season high for runs in an inning. The Brewers also scored six runs in the seventh inning of a victory over the Chicago Cubs on May 9. ... With Votto on the disabled list, the Reds called up utility player Wilkin Castillo from Triple-A Louisville. ... CF Chris Dickerson took an extra-base hit away from Craig Counsell with a remarkable sliding catch at the warning track in the fourth.
by the associated press
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Cubs' Zambrano suspended 6 games
CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano was suspended for six games by Major League Baseball on Thursday, a day after his tirade during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Zambrano said he won't appeal the penalty, which included a fine. Barring rainouts, he is eligible to return next Thursday and start that night at Atlanta.
"Well, you know, I think I'm a pretty good judge of when you make a mistake, when you do something wrong, you have to pay for it," Zambrano said. "I don't have a problem with that. I know that I did something that disrespected MLB. I apologize like I did yesterday, and let's move on. I accept the suspension."
Chicago manager Lou Piniella said the penalty was reasonable.
"I think the ruling was fair," Piniella said. "I think Carlos does, also. He just took it too far. I think he realizes that. We had a nice talked in my office with Carlos and (pitching coach) Larry Rothschild and told him basically we weren't happy about the situation and we are not going to condone it, and that there is nothing wrong with being upset but you got to learn to walk away at the right time."
The loss of Zambrano will shorten Chicago's bench. Zambrano is hitting .261 with one home run.
"Not only does he miss his regular start, we use him to pinch-hit time to time, so it hurts us on two fronts," Piniella said.
Zambrano threw a baseball into left field and slammed his glove against the dugout fence after he was ejected Wednesday, moments after his wild pitch let the Pirates tie it at 2 in the seventh inning. The Cubs won 5-2.
With Nyjer Morgan at third, Zambrano's wild pitch just got away from catcher Geovany Soto. Zambrano covered the plate for Soto's throw, Morgan slid and umpire Mark Carlson ruled him safe.
The excitable Zambrano jumped up, argued and was ejected after he appeared to nudge Carlson. Zambrano then pointed in Carlson's face and gave him the ejection sign.
He then fired a ball into left, tossed his glove and took a bat to a dugout drink dispenser before heading to the clubhouse.
Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charged is discipline, cited Zambrano for "inappropriate and violent actions on the field and in the dugout."
"Obviously his actions after he left the plate area were certainly warranting some kind of penalty," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "I don't have a problem with the emotions showed at the plate and even if it leads to an ejection. Obviously you have to be able to control yourself better than he did after that."
It wasn't the first time that Zambrano had a public meltdown. In 2007, he got into a fight with former teammate Michael Barrett in the dugout. The fight then resumed in the clubhouse.
Zambrano got agitated with a reporter when the incident was brought up.
"How can you bring Michael Barrett into this conversation? Man, I'm a man, you know. If somebody comes to me and tries to beat me up, I have to respond, you know? Nobody likes to get beat up, you know? I don't say this to the umpire," he said.
"If some man here or some man outside is trying to get me up or trying to fire me up, I will respond. And anybody here, any man here will respond," he said. "Am I right? Nobody likes to be hit. Nobody likes to be fired up. Nobody. As a man you don't like to be pushed up or you don't like to be, you don't like somebody to kick your butt. You will respond as a man. So don't bring Michael Barrett in this conversation. We're talking about the incident yesterday, not Michael Barrett."
by the associated press
Zambrano said he won't appeal the penalty, which included a fine. Barring rainouts, he is eligible to return next Thursday and start that night at Atlanta.
"Well, you know, I think I'm a pretty good judge of when you make a mistake, when you do something wrong, you have to pay for it," Zambrano said. "I don't have a problem with that. I know that I did something that disrespected MLB. I apologize like I did yesterday, and let's move on. I accept the suspension."
Chicago manager Lou Piniella said the penalty was reasonable.
"I think the ruling was fair," Piniella said. "I think Carlos does, also. He just took it too far. I think he realizes that. We had a nice talked in my office with Carlos and (pitching coach) Larry Rothschild and told him basically we weren't happy about the situation and we are not going to condone it, and that there is nothing wrong with being upset but you got to learn to walk away at the right time."
The loss of Zambrano will shorten Chicago's bench. Zambrano is hitting .261 with one home run.
"Not only does he miss his regular start, we use him to pinch-hit time to time, so it hurts us on two fronts," Piniella said.
Zambrano threw a baseball into left field and slammed his glove against the dugout fence after he was ejected Wednesday, moments after his wild pitch let the Pirates tie it at 2 in the seventh inning. The Cubs won 5-2.
With Nyjer Morgan at third, Zambrano's wild pitch just got away from catcher Geovany Soto. Zambrano covered the plate for Soto's throw, Morgan slid and umpire Mark Carlson ruled him safe.
The excitable Zambrano jumped up, argued and was ejected after he appeared to nudge Carlson. Zambrano then pointed in Carlson's face and gave him the ejection sign.
He then fired a ball into left, tossed his glove and took a bat to a dugout drink dispenser before heading to the clubhouse.
Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charged is discipline, cited Zambrano for "inappropriate and violent actions on the field and in the dugout."
"Obviously his actions after he left the plate area were certainly warranting some kind of penalty," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "I don't have a problem with the emotions showed at the plate and even if it leads to an ejection. Obviously you have to be able to control yourself better than he did after that."
It wasn't the first time that Zambrano had a public meltdown. In 2007, he got into a fight with former teammate Michael Barrett in the dugout. The fight then resumed in the clubhouse.
Zambrano got agitated with a reporter when the incident was brought up.
"How can you bring Michael Barrett into this conversation? Man, I'm a man, you know. If somebody comes to me and tries to beat me up, I have to respond, you know? Nobody likes to get beat up, you know? I don't say this to the umpire," he said.
"If some man here or some man outside is trying to get me up or trying to fire me up, I will respond. And anybody here, any man here will respond," he said. "Am I right? Nobody likes to be hit. Nobody likes to be fired up. Nobody. As a man you don't like to be pushed up or you don't like to be, you don't like somebody to kick your butt. You will respond as a man. So don't bring Michael Barrett in this conversation. We're talking about the incident yesterday, not Michael Barrett."
by the associated press
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