Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
MOBILE, Ala. ó Hank Aaron’s childhood home in his native Mobile will be renovated and turned into a museum once it’s moved next to the stadium named for the Hall of Famer and one-time home run king.
National Baseball Hall of Fame officials were in Mobile for an announcement Monday afternoon that Aaron’s family will donate the home to the city.
Hank Aaron Stadium, known as “The Hank,” is home to the minor league Mobile BayBears. Team president Bill Shanahan said he pitched the idea for the museum to Aaron over a year ago and won his support for the project.
Under the proposal, the Aaron home will be moved in October and could open as a museum in late March at the stadium’s Gas Light Park. The city will own the house, but the team will handle the renovations and run the museum.
Hall of Fame exhibits officials Ted Spencer, Mary Quinn and Erik Strohl met with city and stadium officials on security and preservation of Aaron memorabilia that’s expected to be shared with the museum by the baseball museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.
“Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron grew up in the small home in the Toulminville neighborhood, about a block from a city park that now bears his name. It also was home to his brother, Tommie Aaron, who played for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves and died in 1984.
Their parents, Estella and Herbert Aaron, had eight children.
Aaron, now 74, hit 755 home runs ó a record that stood until broken last year by Barry Bonds.
A-ROD
NEW YORK ó Maybe Alex Rodriguez wants an Oscar or an Emmy to go with his three MVP awards.
The New York Yankees slugger signed another big league contract, joining the William Morris Agency in an attempt to extend his brand beyond the baseball diamond.
A-Rod joined up with the powerhouse talent agency in Beverly Hills, Calif., and becomes part of a client list that includes some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment and business.
PENA OUT
WASHINGTON ó Washington Nationals outfielder Wily Mo Pena underwent surgery on his left shoulder Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the season.
The team said the surgery was performed Tuesday in Cincinnati to repair a partial tear of Pena’s rotator cuff and a tear of his labrum.
FOGG HIT
CINCINNATI ó Cincinnati Reds right-hander Josh Fogg was hit in the mouth by a ball during batting practice Tuesday, and was taken to a medical center where he got 30 stitches for a split upper lip. A ball hit by Joey Votto smacked Fogg, who was in the outfield during batting practice.
METS
NEW YORK ó Tests on Mets closer Billy Wagner’s left shoulder showed he has muscle spasms.
Wagner was examined after he felt tightness in his shoulder while warming up before the 10th inning Sunday in Cincinnati.