Delay Sought in Garvey Case

The players’ union appealed to the Supreme Court on Friday to delay a $3.1 million settlement payment to former star Steve Garvey.

The Major League Baseball Players Assn. wants to first learn whether the justices will hear the union’s larger appeal that a California federal appeals court was wrong to overrule arbitrators in Garvey’s case.

A delay “is warranted because the payment to Garvey will result in irreparable harm to other players,” should the Supreme Court ultimately rule that Garvey did not deserve the money, the players’ union wrote in court papers.

Garvey, who played for the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, is trying to collect a share of the $280 million collusion settlement that baseball owners agreed to pay in 1990.

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Tampa Bay Managing General Partner Vince Naimoli said Friday he will assume a new role as chairman and hire someone from outside the organization as chief operating officer. He also said discussions are under way to retain an investment banker to advise the club about “strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the club.”

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The New York Mets put outfielder Darryl Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list with a sore neck and an arthritic left big toe, and activated Timo Perez. . . . Houston pitcher Doug