Parrish, Ausmus Suspended, Fined

Detroit Manager Larry Parrish and catcher Brad Ausmus were given two-game suspensions and $500 fines by American League President Gene Budig on Monday for an argument with umpire Chuck Meriwether on May 31 in which contact was made.

Parrish said his brush with Meriwether was incidental and not intended.

“What’s bad is everything was precipitated by a stupid call,” Parrish said. “He pushed me twice, but I didn’t really worry about that.”

Parrish and Ausmus, who said they will appeal, were arguing with Meriwether because he ejected Tiger pitcher Matt Anderson after he hit Boston’s Mike Stanley. Their suspensions will begin after a hearing.

Coincidentally Monday, the Tigers sent Anderson to their triple-A team at Toledo. Pitcher Nelson Cruz was recalled to fill Anderson’s spot on the roster and will start tonight against Pittsburgh in place of Justin Thompson, who complained of back spasms.

*

Former Atlanta infielder Darrel Chaney, a .217 career hitter, is leading a group of former major leaguers suing 10 computer game makers who use their names without compensation.

“There are some guys that are old and don’t have much of a pension,” Chaney said. “They have no voice for them out there.”

Some big name players get from 8 1/2 to 9% of a game’s net sales.

A similar complaint is pending in Los Angeles against Warner Communications’ “Hardball 5” and the firm that distributed it. The suit was filed two years ago by a group that includes Don Newcombe and several members of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers.

*

Former Dodger knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti has been designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics, meaning the A’s have 10 days to trade him, release him or assign him to a minor league team. The A’s made the move to make room for Tim Hudson, who was called up and is scheduled to start against San Diego tonight. . . . A decision on Darryl Strawberry’s future is expected “in the next few days,” said baseball spokesman Rich Levin. Strawberry, 37, has been suspended from the New York Yankees since April 24, after his arrest for cocaine possession. . . . The price of the best ticket to a Milwaukee Brewers’ game will double from $25 to $50 when the team moves into Miller Park next year. . . . The Baltimore Orioles put reliever Mike Fetters on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore right shoulder and recalled pitcher Scott Kamieniecki from triple-A Rochester.