Dave Winfield Denies He Ever Bet on Sports

Angels outfielder Dave Winfield and his lawyer both denied a report in this week’s Sports Illustrated saying the former New York Yankee bet on sporting events.

The Sports Illustrated report cites several named individuals and one unidentified source as saying that Winfield gambled on sports and that Winfield knew of Howard Spira’s links to gamblers when he lent him $15,000.

No one accused Winfield of betting on baseball.

Winfield, who got his 2,500th career hit Tuesday night, denied he bet on sports and called the Sports Illustrated report “all fabrication.” He also said he did not know Spira was involved with gamblers.

Spira, who at one time did public relations work for the David M. Winfield Foundation, is under indictment on federal extortion charges stemming from his contacts with since-ousted Yankee owner George Steinbrenner.

Commissioner Fay Vincent said last week that there was no evidence Winfield gambled on sports.