Yankees’ Deion Sanders Joins Players Sent to Minors

Deion Sanders, who isn’t so insecure in his other profession, is headed for baseball’s minor leagues.

Sanders, a starting cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons who scored a touchdown the second time he touched the ball in the NFL, was sent to the minors by the New York Yankees on Monday. He was one of the more publicized players victimized when major league teams had to reduce their rosters from 27 to either 24 or 25.

Every team was allowed to carry 27 players because of the shortened spring training caused by the owners’ lockout. The 24-man rosters have been observed by gentleman’s agreement in major league baseball since 1985. But 25 is the official limit.

Sanders, 0-for-7 in eight games with New York this season, was sent to Columbus of the Class AAA International League.

“It’s a step down, but I’ll climb back,” Sanders said. “I don’t think that locker will get dusty. And if I’m not back here soon, I’ll just get in shape for the other thing.

“I’m not disappointed. It’s more an ego thing. That’s the roughest part.”

It was a rough day for both veterans and youngsters seeking a longer stint in the majors.

Among the veterans who were cut were Angles pitcher Willie Fraser, St. Louis pitcher Ken Hill, Minnesota pitcher Rich Yett, Toronto catcher Ozzie Virgil and pitcher Paul Kilgus, and Chicago White Sox first baseman Greg Walker. Yett and Walker were released outright, while the others were assigned to the minors.

Sanders couldn’t break into the Yankees’ outfield, which was cluttered further on Sunday when the club acquired Claudell Washington from California. Dave Winfield, Jesse Barfield, Mel Hall and Roberto Kelly were ahead of Sanders.

“He needs to get the at-bats,” Yankees manager Bucky Dent said.

Sanders started only one game this season and was hitless in four at-bats. He pinch-hit four times and pinch-ran once.

“I know I learned a lot of things on the bench,” Sanders, 22, said. “I played well in spring training and that’s the only time I played every day. I think I can do that again.”

Many teams used the disabled list to help pare the roster. The Mets put center fielder Keith Miller on the DL with a hamstring injury.

Reds pitcher Danny Jackson and center fielder Eric Davis, who has a sprained knee, Cardinals third baseman Terry Pendleton, White Sox outfielder Dave Gallagher, Brewers pitcher Tom Filer, Yankees pitcher Pascual Perez and Expos pitcher Rich Costello were disabled.