NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, NEW YORK
Oliver Perez and the New York Mets reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a US$36 million, three-year contract.
The deal is subject to the pitcher passing a physical, two people familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement wasn’t final. The physical was scheduled for yesterday.
New York had offered Derek Lowe — another client of agent Scott Boras — a US$36 million, three-year contract, but Lowe accepted a US$60 million, five-year offer from Atlanta. In addition to Lowe, the Mets also held talks with agents for Tim Redding and Randy Wolf, and agreed with Redding on a US$2.25 million, one-year deal.
With the agreement, the Mets’ projected rotation includes Johan Santana, John Maine, Perez, Mike Pelfrey and either Redding, Freddy Garcia or Jon Niese. New York has not ruled out re-signing Pedro Martinez, but hasn’t appeared interested in bringing him back.
■ SELIG GOT US$3M RAISE
AP, NEW YORK
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig made more than all but three of his sport’s players in 2007.
Selig received a raise of about US$3 million to nearly US$17.5 million that year, Major League Baseball’s (MLB) latest tax return shows.
His compensation was listed at US$17,470,491 for the 12 months that ended on Oct. 31, 2007, according to the return, which is available at guidestar.org. That was up from US$14,515,071 in the prior 12 months.
Selig’s pay was first reported by the Sports Business Journal.
In 2007, the only players who received higher cash compensation were a trio of the Yankees: Alex Rodriguez at US$23 million (plus US$4 million deferred), Derek Jeter at US$22 million (including a US$2 million payment as part of his signing bonus) and Jason Giambi at US$21.5 million (including a US$500,000 payment as part of his signing bonus). Roger Clemens fell just short at US$17,442,637.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
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