CUBS’ RUSSELL PLACED ON LEAVE AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLAIMS
ICAGO» Chicago Cubs shortstop C H
Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave Friday following fresh allegations of domestic violence from his exwife.
Last year, Melisa Reidy posted a photo on her Instagram account with a caption suggesting her husband of about 18 months had been unfaithful to her. In another post, a user — described by Melisa as a close friend — made the accusation that Russell had “hit” his wife. The post was later deleted. Russell denied the allegation and the two divorced.
Late Thursday, a blog post attributed to Reidy contained more detailed allegations, in cluding years of physical and emotional abuse. Less than 12 hours later, Major League Baseball announced Russell had been put on leave under the 2015 domestic violence agreement between management and the players’ union.
“These allegations are completely false,” Russell said in a statement put out by the union. “I made that clear to Major League Baseball last year and reiterated it to the Cubs today. I’m confident any full and fair investigation will fully exonerate me. The protection of my children is foremost in my mind so I will have no further comment.”
Russell can challenge the leave before an arbitrator, and the leave can be extended for additional sevenday periods if the union agrees. He continues to be paid his $3.2 million salary.
Rangers fire Banister after consecutive losing seasons.
» The Texas Rangers fired manager Jeff Banister on Friday after the team stumbled to its first consecutive losing records in 10 years following AL West titles in each of his first two seasons.
Texas announced the move with 10 games left in Banister’s fourth season, and general manager Jon Daniels said the decision wasn’t based on the record.
“There are times when you’re looking for a new voice, and the new voice for the leadership,” Daniels said. “Jeff did a very good job for us. Ton of passion and energy and care for everybody involved . ... We just made a decision that a new voice at this point was needed.”
Bench coach Don Wakamatsu will serve as interim manager.
Vin Scully makes rare public appearance at Dodgers game.
NGELES» Vin Scully has made LOS A a rare public appearance at Dodger Stadium to help honor fellow Hall of Famer Jaime Jarrin.
The Spanishlanguage broadcaster was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor, with his name joining Scully and such Dodgers greats as Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella on Friday night.
Scully greeted the pregame crowd with his trademark phrase: “Hi, everybody, and a very pleasant good evening to you.”
“I haven’t said it in two years, so I just thought I’d like to hear it one last time,” Scully said, smiling.
He retired two years ago, ending a 67year run behind the mic for the Dodgers, the longest tenure of any broadcaster with the same team in pro sports.
King returns to roots with ownership stake in Dodgers.
NGELES» Billie Jean King has LOS A gone back to her roots in becoming part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ownership group.
The tennis champion first became enamored with the team when it arrived from Brooklyn in 1958. King says she and younger brother Randy Moffitt “grew up bleeding Dodger blue” in Long Beach. Moffitt later pitched in the majors for teams that included the rival San Francisco Giants, or as King puts it “the wrong team.”
King and her partner Ilana Kloss have taken an undisclosed stake in the Dodgers at the invitation of owner Mark Walter. Pending approval by the WNBA, they are also expected to have an ownership interest in the Los Angeles Sparks.