Red Sox end threat of boycott
The Boston Red Sox ended a threatened boycott Wednesday of their final spring training game in Florida, resolving a dispute over paying coaches for the season-opening trip to Japan.
The televised game against Toronto started an hour late when players voted unanimously not to play the exhibition or to board Wednesday's scheduled flight to Tokyo for the two-game series against Oakland on March 25 and 26.
Across the country in Phoenix, Athletics players also considered a boycott. They didn't take batting practice and held five team meetings before following Boston's lead and deciding to play.
Boston players insisted their coaches receive $40,000 appearances fees for the Japan trip, matching the deal negotiated for players by their union. After a few hours of talks among players from the Red Sox and Athletics, Major League Baseball, the clubs and the players' association, the sides said the dispute had been resolved.
Major League Baseball agreed to pay the managers, coaches and trainers on the trip $20,000 each from management's proceeds, a person familiar with the agreement said, speaking on condition of anonymity because details weren't announced. The Red Sox agreed to make up the difference to make the amount equal, and to pay some of the other team personnel making the trip, the person said.
It had not yet between determined whether Oakland would make additional payments to its staff.
Bonds still wants to play: Unsigned and thus far unwanted, Barry Bonds still wants to play this year.
"I'm not going to retire. I don't think that's going to happen," he told MLB.com Tuesday. "I'm working out. I'm training. If my phone rings, it rings. If it don't, it don't. I have a cell phone. I have a Blackberry. They work. If something comes up, I'm sure they'll let me know. I'll come back in July if I have to. It depends on the circumstances."
Garciaparra breaks hand: Nomar Garciaparra has a broken bone in his right hand, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' third baseman might not be ready for Opening Day.