Touch 'Em All: Milwaukee gives up on keeping Greinke
The following item pretty much confirms that the Brewers have given up on the rest of the season. On the heels of dropping three straight to the Phils (all come-from-ahead losses, all by a score of 7-6), Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin took the rare step Thursday of saying that righthander Zack Greinke will be dealt before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline.
The following item pretty much confirms that the Brewers have given up on the rest of the season.
On the heels of dropping three straight to the Phils (all come-from-ahead losses, all by a score of 7-6), Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin took the rare step Thursday of saying that righthander Zack Greinke will be dealt before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline.
"There are so many good things about him," Melvin told USA Today, "it's going to be difficult when we trade him."
He's not kidding. Greinke has the Brewers' best numbers this woeful season: He's 9-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 21 starts. His next start is scheduled for Sunday, two days before the deadline. We'll see.
Officer fired over slur
The Massachusetts police officer accused of directing a racial slur at Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford earlier this month was fired on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Officer John A. Perrault, 38, was dismissed by Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella at the recommendation of Police Chief Robert Healey. Healey said Perrault had used racial slurs on at least two other occasions, the AP reported.
Perrault was placed on paid administrative leave last week after an internal investigation determined he used a racial slur against Crawford during a July 6 minor-league game in Manchester, N.H.
Chisox boss' proposal
Responding to a fan's question about the possibility of international expansion of Major League Baseball, Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he'd rather see fewer than the current 30 teams in the bigs.
"I don't see any baseball expansion right now," he said during a panel discussion about baseball in Israel. "If it were up to me, I would contract two teams. But I certainly don't think expansion is on the horizon."
Reinsdorf, however, clammed up when fans inquired: "What two teams?"
"I have a habit of getting myself into trouble," he said before wisely dropping the subject.