BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : A’s Stewart Has a Tearful Farewell

Dave Stewart, arguably the heart of the Oakland Athletics teams that went to the World Series from 1988 to 1990, tearfully said goodby to a 16-year career.

“It’s real, real important for me to stand tall. . . .a soldier, a warrior, a chief,” he said, explaining his decision to retire at age 38 in midseason.

Stewart was 3-7 with a 6.89 earned-run average, which he said indicated his time had ended.

“I’ve always wanted to be the solution to the problem, not the problem,” he said, at times wiping his eyes with a handkerchief. “This is not easy.”

Stewart earned a standing ovation before a game against a Cleveland Indians.

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Deion Sanders was a no-show for the second consecutive day in Houston, but San Francisco Giants Manager Dusty Baker said the outfielder’s absence won’t cause a distraction. The Giants obtained Sanders from Cincinnati on Friday in an eight-player trade.

“I don’t see this being a distraction since he’s never been here,” Baker said. “He’s got 72 hours to report and he did make a point to say it was nothing personal.”

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Jose Rijo will learn today whether surgery is the only cure for his pitching elbow. The Cincinnati Reds’ ace will be examined by James Andrews. Whatever the doctor recommends, Rijo will do.

“Let’s do whatever we need to do now,” Rijo said. “Let’s not waste any more time. If it’s rest, let’s rest it. If it’s surgery, let’s do it.”

More than likely, Rijo is facing season-ending surgery to remove a calcium formation in the ligament of his right elbow.