Reggie Jackson said he messed up by disparaging Alex Rodriguez, Gary Carter and other big names in baseball and has been reaching out to make apologies.
Jackson told Sports Illustrated that Rodriguez’s statistics were tainted by his admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs. Jackson also said he didn’t see Carter, Kirby Puckett, Phil Niekro, Don Sutton and Jim Rice as Hall of Famers.
Jackson is a special adviser with the New York Yankees. The team released a statement yesterday from him:
“In trying to convey my feelings about a few issues that I am passionate about, I made the mistake of naming some specific players,” Jackson said. “This was inappropriate and unfair to those players, some of which are very close friends of mine. I think there are ways to speak from the heart without hurting people, and I’m disappointed that I didn’t take greater care in expressing my views.”
The Yankees told Jackson to stay away from the clubhouse and team events following his pointed remarks to the magazine, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press this week. Jackson was expected to steer clear for several weeks, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because there was no formal announcement. Jackson was not disciplined or fined, and was to remain a special adviser.
Around the bases
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury could come off the disabled list and rejoin the team tonight for the start of a three-game series at Tampa Bay, manager Bobby Valentine said. Valentine also said rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks, out because of a hamstring injury, is getting close to returning.
• New York Mets right-hander Dillon Gee is scheduled for surgery on his throwing shoulder that could force him to miss the rest of the season. The team said Gee will have surgery today in St. Louis to replace a portion of damaged artery. Gee was released from a New York hospital on Wednesday after undergoing a procedure to break up a blood clot in the shoulder. The Mets said then that Gee might have further surgery to prevent a possible recurrence of the clot in the same location. Gee is 6-7 with a 4.10 ERA.
• Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion signed a three-year contract that begins next season. The $27 million deal includes a $10 million club option for the 2016 season. Encarnacion, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds, is batting .295 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI.
• The Minnesota Twins will reinstate right-handed closer Matt Capps from the 15-day disabled list for tonight’s game against Oakland. He has been out for three weeks because of shoulder inflammation.
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