Associated Press
The baseball notebook …
NEW YORK ó Mark McGwire’s youngest brother says in a book proposal that he injected the former baseball star with steroids, according to Deadspin.com.
Jay McGwire is circulating a manuscript titled “The McGwire Family Secret: The Truth about Steroids, a slugger and Ultimate Redemption,” the Web site reported Wednesday. Jay McGwire, a body builder, said his brother started using steroids in 1994 and that he injected Mark with Deca-Durabolin.
“Mark is a man I think most would like to forgive because his reason wasn’t nefarious ó it was for survival,” the proposal says, according to the Web site. “My bringing the truth to surface about Mark is out of love. I want Mark to live in truth to see the light, to come to repentance so he can live in freedom ó which is the only way to live.”
Jay McGwire, who says he has a strained relationship with his brother, could not be reached for comment Thursday. Telephone numbers for his home and fitness center in California were disconnected.
Mark McGwire repeatedly has denied using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. When he testified under oath before Congress in 2005, however, he wouldn’t discuss whether he did.
“Who knows what might have happened if I didn’t get Mark involved with all the training, supplements, the right foods, steroids, and HGH?” the Web site quoted Jay McGwire as writing. “He would not have broken any records, and the congressional hearings would have gone on without him. Maybe Barry Bonds wouldn’t have ever gotten involved with the stuff, either.”
WERNER DIES
CHARLOTTEó Bill Werber, who was the oldest living ex-major leaguer and a former teammate of Babe Ruth, has died at age 100.
Werber’s son, Bill Jr., said his father died Thursday morning of “old age” after moving into an assisted care facility three weeks ago.
A career .271 hitter who led the American League in stolen bases three times, Werber played with Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove in stints with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Werber also was a member of the 1940 World Series champion Cincinnati Reds, and Duke’s first All-American basketball player.
YANKEESNEW YORK ó Today is moving day in the Bronx and, no, the crates don’t have pinstripes.
Eighty-six years after moving in, the New York Yankees are moving out.The team’s front office will move across the street to the new $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium, which is nearing completion and scheduled to open in April.
RANGERSARLINGTON, Texas ó Omar Vizquel is going to spring training with the Texas Rangers, who want him to mentor 20-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus.An 11-time Gold Glove winner, the 41-year-old Vizquel agreed to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training.
BREWERSMILWAUKEE ó First baseman Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on an $18 million, two-year contract.
PHILLIESPHILADELPHIA ó Outfielder Jayson Werth finalized a $10 million, two-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration.
Werth set career highs in nine offensive categories last season as he helped the Phillies win their first World Series in 28 years. He hit .273 with 24 home runs and 67 RBIs to go along with 20 steals.
METSNEW YORK ó Alex Cora and the New York Mets finalized a $2 million, one-year contract Thursday, giving the team a backup infielder who also could displace Luis Castillo at second base.