‘Moose’ retires early
Mike Mussina took a secret to the ballpark every day this season. Maybe that’s why he was so successful on the mound, so jovial in the clubhouse. From spring training, he knew this was his final year in Major League Baseball — even if it meant giving up bids for 300 wins, a World Series ring and a better shot at the Hall of Fame. The New York Yankees pitcher retired on Thursday after his only 20-win season, a month shy of his 40th birthday with a still-potent right arm. “Moose” became the first healthy pitcher to leave on his own accord following a 20-win season in more than a century. He was amazingly consistent — after going 4-5 as a rookie with Baltimore in 1991, he became the only American League pitcher to reach double figures in wins for 17 straight years. He was a five-time All-Star and won his seventh Gold Glove this month.
■ BASEBALL
Yankees boss steps down
George Steinbrenner’s 35-year reign as boss of the New York Yankees ended on Thursday when he passed control of the New York Yankees to his youngest son, Hal. The elder Steinbrenner has gradually withdrawn from the team’s day-to-day operations in recent years, and brothers Hal and Hank were appointed co-chairmen in April. Their father headed a group that bought the team in 1973, and he became perhaps the most high-profile owner in all of sports, spending lavishly on players and changing managers frequently during his first 22 years in charge. But the 78-year-old’s health has declined in recent years following a pair of falls. Baseball owners unanimously approved the change at a meeting on Thursday.
■ BASEBALL
MLB may change rules
Major League Baseball (MLB) wants to enact a rule that playoff games can never be shortened because of bad weather. There has never been a rain-shortened game in the playoffs, and MLB commissioner Bud Selig said on Thursday they want to make sure there never will be. “All postseason games, All-Star games and that, will be full-length affairs, and the rule will be so written,” Selig said following an owners’ meeting. Selig said the change also will apply to tiebreaker games that decide division titles and wild-card berths. “Any game that has significance for the postseason,” he said. “It will be very clear now. Everybody will know exactly.” Under MLB’s rules, games are official as soon as the trailing team has made 15 outs. Management lawyers will discuss the contemplated change with the players’ association. “I expect that we will be having discussions with the commissioner’s office about that rule in the weeks to come,” union general counsel Michael Weiner said. “I don’t want to prejudge it one way or the other.”
■ BOXING
Abraham challenges Sturm
Undefeated IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham has offered compatriot and WBA champ Felix Sturm a fight worth 2.5 million euros (US$3.14 million) to decide who is the best in Germany. Abraham, 28, was recently taunted by Sturm, who claimed an offer to meet in the ring was a mere publicity stunt, but Abraham says he is deadly serious. “The offer is on the table,” Arthur said. “It was officially submitted in writing. This is as serious as it gets.” A fortnight ago, Abraham stopped mandatory challenger Raul Marquez in the seventh round to retain his IBF belt and pick up his 28th win with 23 knock-outs. Sturm has 31 wins with 13 knock-outs plus two defeats to Oscar De La Hoya in 2004 and Javier Castillejo in 2006.
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