La Russa Says Umpires Aren’t Fair to McGwire

Manager Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals charged Friday that Mark McGwire, ejected a day earlier for the third time this season, is receiving unfair treatment from umpires.

“I gave it a lot of thought last night,” La Russa said. “If you look from the first strike to the third strike, it was an awful big zone.”

La Russa said other major stars have it a lot better.

“It’s different for [Barry] Bonds, [Mike] Piazza,” La Russa said. “They get a lot of balls thrown just off the plate. Those guys have earned the benefit of the doubt. A lot of times, the borderline pitch, they get.”

McGwire is batting .187 with 88 strikeouts in 214 at-bats.

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Former Montreal Expo Manager Felipe Alou said the uncertain future of the Boston Red Sox, who are for sale, led him to reject an offer to manage the team.

In an interview published in Friday’s Hoy daily newspaper in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the 66-year-old Alou said the offer was made to him by Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette on Thursday.

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Red Sox outfielder Carl Everett was fined an undisclosed amount by major league baseball for “inappropriate on-field conduct” during Tuesday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners.

Everett hit a home run in the fifth inning against Mariner starter Jamie Moyer. As he crossed home plate, Everett made an obscene gesture and spit in the direction of Moyer.

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A federal grand jury in New York is investigating possible wire fraud involving the sale of memorabilia that belonged to New York Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio, the New York Daily News reported. The FBI and U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White’s office have subpoenaed documents involving Florida attorney Morris Engelberg, who is the trustee of DiMaggio’s estate, and two New Jersey memorabilia salesmen, the newspaper said. . . . Kansas City Royal first baseman Mike Sweeney accepted the 10-game suspension handed to him after last week’s brawl with the Detroit Tigers. “I feel like you’re accountable for the things you do in life, and this is one thing I’m going to be held accountable for,” Sweeney told the Kansas City Star. “I think the punishment is a little harsh, but I’m going to honor it.” . . . Former Westlake High pitcher Tyler Adamczyk, a seventh-round draft choice of the Cardinals, has reached agreement on a $1-million signing bonus, his advisor, Jim McDowell, confirmed.