Adviser had false credentials
Major League Baseball’s medical adviser, who praised baseball’s steroids policy and challenged its critics while testifying before Congress, has discrepancies in biographical statements about his professional and educational credentials, according to a newspaper report.
The discrepancies appear in media guides and handouts with information about Dr. Elliot J. Pellman, an internist who is also team doctor for the New York Jets and the New York Islanders, The New York Times reported in Wednesday’s editions.
Pellman, also a former president of the National Football League Physicians Society, told the Times he had not tried to mislead anybody. He characterized the errors as minor, said he would correct them and primarily blamed the discrepancies on other people, including his secretary and the Jets.
“In a way, I thank you, because those discrepancies are not important enough to be there, and they have all been fixed,” he told the newspaper.
Major League Baseball expressed concern about the Times’ story, but offered its support for Pellman.
Owners approve sale of A’s
Baseball’s owners unanimously approved the sale of the Oakland Athletics to Los Angeles real estate developer Lewis Wolff, all but finalizing a deal in the works for about a year.
The owners spoke for 5 minutes via conference call to approve the sale, the next-to-last step necessary for Wolff and his group of investors to assume control of the team.
Now, the parties just have to hold the closing, sign the documents and complete the transaction.
Red Sox trade Kim to Colorado
The Boston Red Sox traded reliever Byung-Hyun Kim to the Colorado Rockies, calling the $10 million, two-year deal they gave him in 2004 “a mistake.”
Kim was sent to the Rockies for left-handed pitcher Chris Narveson, 23, who was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, and catcher Charles Johnson, who was immediately designated for assignment and released.
“We certainly made a mistake and I take responsibility for that,” said Boston general manager Theo Epstein. “It’s just a mystery what happened to this guy.”
Wood sharp in return
Kerry Wood returned to the mound for the first time in three weeks and threw 92 pain-free pitches, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
The Cubs’ ace had not pitched since March 9 because of bursitis in his right shoulder. He missed a scheduled start last week when he woke up with a stiff lower back.
Clearing the bases
Outfielder Ben Grieve was reassigned to Triple-A Indianapolis as the Pittsburgh Pirates settled on their season-opening 25-man roster. … The Los Angeles Angels assigned Dallas McPherson and right-hander Chris Bootcheck to their minor league camp, leaving the third base assignment to Robb Quinlan. … David Ross, a backup catcher who became expendable when the Los Angeles Dodgers added three catchers in recent months, was traded to Pittsburgh for cash. … Juan Gonzalez’s sore right hamstring kept him off the field for the third straight game, raising concerns that he might not be ready for opening day with the Cleveland Indians. … Baltimore traded left-handed pitcher Matt Riley to Texas for outfielder Ramon Nivar. Pedro Astacio probably will start the season on the disabled list after being slowed by a groin injury this spring, but he could still pitch in the Rangers’ fifth game. … Jose Acevedo and right-hander Todd Coffey were sent to Triple-A Louisville by the Cincinnati Reds after struggling early in camp while trying to win a spots in the bullpen.