Griffey offers apology to fans
Ken Griffey Jr. thanked Cincinnati Reds fans on Saturday for their support during his nine seasons in his hometown, and apologized to them for his throat-slash gesture last weekend.
The Reds traded Griffey to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, when the team was in Washington. He issued a statement through the Reds’ public relations department thanking everyone for his time in Cincinnati, which acquired him in a 2000 trade.
After he hit what turned out to be his final home run in Cincinnati last Saturday, he reached the dugout and made a throat-slash gesture toward the broadcast booth. Griffey was upset over the way a Reds broadcaster had criticized him on the air.
“I really do understand that the overwhelming majority of fans wanted so badly for me to succeed,” Griffey said. “Additionally, I would like to sincerely apologize to those fans offended by my wrongful actions last Saturday night.”
Hudson’s season ends
Atlanta Braves ace Tim Hudson wanted to test his arm one more time to convince himself that season-ending elbow ligament replacement surgery was necessary.
After feeling more discomfort while trying to play catch, Hudson is convinced.
“All the arrows are pointing that way,” Hudson said, adding he plans to have the surgery within a week.
Clearing the bases
Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire was suspended for one game for his outburst Thursday that led fans to throw hats and baseballs on the field during a win over the Chicago White Sox. … St. Louis conceded the Matt Clement signing had failed, releasing a right-hander who has struggled to return from shoulder surgery in 2006. … Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya has tenderness in his upper right arm-shoulder area and will miss at least a few days. … Los Angeles Angels shortstop Maicer Izturis was kept out of the starting lineup, a day after jamming his thumb making a great play in a 1-0 win over the New York Yankees. … Florida minor league pitcher Daniel Gil will begin serving a 50-game suspension immediately after failing a drug test.