Sanders Becomes a Trend-Setter

Threatened with fines because league rules specify that all players must wear sleeves the same length, the Cincinnati Reds decided as a team Monday to alter their uniforms to match the style Deion Sanders went to after he saw a picture of Jackie Robinson.

Robinson wore his uniform sleeves short and his socks pulled up high, another fashion s Sanders is emulating. He also is playing something like Robinson, with an an NL-leading 10 stolen bases through the Reds first 12 games.

The material cut off from the Reds’ sleeves will be autographed by the players and then auctioned off, with the proceeds to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

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The Chicago Cubs tied the modern National League record with their 10th consecutive season-opening loss Sunday and can match the overall NL mark set by Detroit in 1884 if they don’t beat the Colorado Rockies today.

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The St. Louis Cardinals recalled right-hander Brady Raggio from triple-A Louisville and he will start today’s game at Florida. The Cardinals optioned right-handed reliever Eric Ludwick to Louisville.

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New York Met pitcher Dave Mlicki left Monday night’s game against San Francisco after he was hit off the lower right shin by a seventh-inning line drive off the bat of Mark Lewis.

The Mets led, 2-1, at the time of the injury.

Mlicki tried to stay in the game but left after one warmup pitch. Greg McMichael relieved.