Guillen manages without attitude
BALL BUZZ Chisox boss wins AL’s top honours Selig stands firm on instant replay
Ozzie Guillen of the World Series champion Chicago White Sox was voted AL Manager of the Year, and Atlanta’s Bobby Cox became the first back- toback winner in either league, taking NL honour yesterday after leading the rookie-laden Braves to another division title.
Guillen received 17 first- place votes, five seconds and five thirds for 105 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Eric Wedge of the Cleveland Indians was the runner-up with six first- place votes and 71 points.
“ It’s not easy to manage right now because there are a lot of players making big money, a lot of players with attitudes,” Guillen said. “ The type of players I have in my clubhouse, those are the type of players that anyone can win with.” Cox was listed first on 28 ballots and second on the other four to win by a whopping 100 points. He beat out St. Louis’ Tony La Russa, who also finished second to Cox last year. SELIG’S SUPPORT:
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig supports revised congressional legislation that would suspend players for a half- season following a first failed steroids test.
Selig said negotiators for owners and players have made progress in talks but still haven’t reached an agreement on a new drug deal. Selig also maintained his opposition to using instant replay to review umpires’ calls. GAMES WARM- UP:
Todd Betts went 3- for- 3 with two doubles and two RBIs as the Canadian national team beat some Seattle Mariners prospects 5-1 in a warm-up game for the North and Central America Olympic qualifying tournament.
Starter Steve Green of Longueuil, Que., threw two scoreless innings for the win. OPTIONS FOR CARDS:
The St. Louis Cardinals yesterday declined a $ 15 million ( all figures U. S.) option on outfielder Larry Walker, who announced his retirement but still will get a $ 1 million buyout. The team also picked up a $4 million option on pitcher Jeff Suppan, who won 16 games for the second straight season. RAFFY STEPS UP:
Rafael Palmeiro took responsibility yesterday for his failed steroid test but offered a possible excuse hinging on a tainted vitamin shot, giving his first public explanation on the eve of a congressional report into whether he lied under oath.
In a statement, the slugger acknowledged several reported facts, including that he had raised the possibility a shot of B- 12 he was given by a teammate in April ‘‘ might have been the cause” his positive drug test.