Major League Baseball
Baseball notebook: Bartman gives to charity, Santo offers comfort

By Chicago Tribune and The Associated Press

	Steve Bartman
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CHICAGO — Steve Bartman surfaced briefly yesterday to say he and his family and friends have been threatened and harassed by some, but received empathy and support from many others since he became the center of controversy by tipping a foul ball at an unfortunate moment during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

Bartman, a Cubs fan, issued what he termed his "final comment" on the subject. He said he was declining interview requests and would donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation all the "generous gift offers" he has received "from individuals and businesses across the country."

He urged others wishing to make similar donations to follow his lead and do so in the name of Ron Santo, the Cubs' broadcaster and former star third baseman who is afflicted with diabetes and is a spokesman for the foundation.

Santo, a Franklin High School graduate, appreciated Bartman's effort. He said the 26-year-old fan had become a "scapegoat" for the Cubs blowing a three-run lead in the eighth inning of Game 6, when the Florida Marlins rallied for eight runs and an 8-3 victory. They also won Game 7, denying the Cubs their first World Series appearance in 58 years.

Bartman became an object of scorn and parody after he reached for a foul ball in the eighth inning that Cubs left fielder Moises Alou might have been able to catch for the second out of the inning.

"I felt very bad for him," Santo said of Bartman. "He was not the reason we lost the game. Fans get excited when a baseball comes their way. It's a natural reaction. I was moved when he apologized to the Cubs and to me."

Jeannie Ullman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation said she was told gifts offered to Bartman thus far included vacation packages "such as hotels, cars and restaurants, all in Florida." She said they would be part of an auction at a Dec. 13 fund-raiser for the JDR Foundation at McCormick Place.

In his statement released yesterday, Bartman said, "I look forward to, and expect to return to my normal life activities, including cheering our beloved Cubs toward many more exciting postseasons of play."

Black to return as Angels' pitching coach

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Anaheim Angels agreed to a one-year contract extension with pitching coach Bud Black.

The 46-year-old Black has been the club's pitching coach for four seasons.

The Angels' 4.28 earned-run average was the sixth lowest in the American League this past season. The staff ranked third with a 3.69 ERA during the team's World Series championship season in 2002.

Anaheim's bullpen has been the league's best the past two seasons, with an ERA of 2.98 in 2002 and 3.03 in 2003.

Black pitched 15 years in the majors, going 121-116 with a 3.84 ERA in 398 games for the Mariners, Kansas City, Cleveland, Toronto and San Francisco.

He was a member of the Royals' 1985 World Series champions.

Source: Yanks give Orioles OK to talk to Mazzilli

MIAMI — The Baltimore Orioles asked the Yankees for permission to talk to Lee Mazzilli about their vacant manager's job, and New York granted permission.

Mazzilli is in his fourth season as the Yankees' first-base and outfield coach. The request by the Orioles was disclosed by a Yankees official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Hall of Famer Eddie Murray and Orioles coach Sam Perlozzo already have interviewed for the job.

Mike Hargrove was fired by Baltimore on Sept. 29, after four seasons, all fourth-place finishes.

Mazzilli, 48, managed the Class A Tampa Yankees in 1997 and 1998, then moved up to AA Norwich the following year before joining the major-league coaching staff.

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