Jose, can you sue . . .
Jose Canseco plans to file a class-action suit against Major League Baseball and the players' union. He claims that he has been ostracized by both for going public about steroid use in the game.
Jose Canseco plans to file a class-action suit against Major League Baseball and the players' union. He claims that he has been ostracized by both for going public about steroid use in the game.
The league's first 40-40 player and author of the controversial book Juiced, said the basis of the suit would be "lost wages - in some cases defamation of character."
You'd think the footage of a ball bouncing off his head for a home run in every blooper reel would be enough.
"Because I used steroids, and I came out with a book, I was kicked out of the game, but I have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame," the former Oakland slugger told the Associated Press. ". . . Obviously, when you're inducted into the Hall of Fame, you get asked to do certain - you know - appearances and shows and so forth, which incorporates income. So there is a major income loss.
The 1988 American League MVP also said he plans to enlist Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro in the suit.
Red Sox Nation in full force
The Red Sox played in front of a sellout Fenway Park crowd for the 500th consecutive time Wednesday night. The streak began May 15, 2003, and broke the previous record of 455 straight set by the Cleveland Indians in 2001.
The fans got what they wanted, a 6-1 win over Florida. How ironic. The Marlins are at about 500 consecutive games without playing in front of a sellout crowd in Miami.
No one is perfect
In Boston's win Wednesday, Red Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury did the impossible. He made an error.
In his 233d career game and 555th chance, Ellsbury dropped a fly ball in the outfield in the first inning.
Jorge Cantu, who hit the ball out to Ellsbury, was surprised with the scoring.
"It was kind of weird that they called that an error," he said. "Everybody thought it had to be a base hit, because it was full sprint out there for the ball."
Holliday shopping?
Matt Holliday's name is coming up on the trade rumor mill. The Oakland Athletics are sitting in last place in the AL West and almost certainly will not be able to afford him when the slugger files for free agency in the off-season.
And, according to Sporting News, one team on the radar should be the Mets.
The Metropolitans can use some help on the mound, but their offense needs a boost without Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes, who are on the DL. They rank second in the majors in batting average (.279) but third from the bottom in home runs (41). Gary Sheffield, who was left for dead by the Tigers, is tied for the team lead in home runs with eight.
According to an A's official, the team wants a first-round pick and a sandwich pick for the former Rockie.
Noteworthy
Detroit's Dontrelle Willis is back on the 15-day disabled list. The lovable lefty is suffering from anxiety disorder and has not been able to get on track since being traded to the Tigers before the 2008 season. Willis believes the problems are mechanical not mental. Detroit also benched slumping slugger Magglio Ordonez indefinitely. . . . Looks like the cold is the only thing that can cool down Joe Mauer. The Twins' hot-hitting catcher was given the day off yesterday after battling cold-like symptoms. . . . Seattle placed Jose Lopez on the bereavement list. The second baseman returned to his native Venezuela because his sister is seriously ill. Lopez leads the team with 42 RBIs.