Contrite Thomas Returns

Frank Thomas not only showed up, he apologized.

The Big Hurt returned to the Chicago White Sox Tuesday in Tucson after missing six workouts while complaining he was underpaid. But he insisted his boycott wasn’t about money.

“I did look like a poster boy for greed over the weekend, but that is not the case,” Thomas said. “I’ve never been greedy. I’ve had a couple of opportunities to be the highest-paid player in this game, and I didn’t want to be there.”

Thomas acknowledged that fans, whose favor he regained by hitting .328 last season with 43 homers and 143 runs batted in, probably would turn on him.

He began his news conference by reading a statement in which he apologized to baseball fans, sports fans and his teammates. He said he would discuss the situation with his teammates one on one.

“I extend my apologies to those who were affected by my absence,” he said. “It was a big distraction.”

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Omar Vizquel, the Cleveland Indians’ Gold Glove shortstop, has agreed to terms on a two-year, $15-million contract extension, a source told the Associated Press.

Vizquel, 33, had been signed through 2002 at $3 million a season. The extension includes a mutual option for 2005.

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Albert Belle won’t be in the Baltimore Orioles’ lineup for their spring opener against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday because of a sore hip that has put his future with the team in doubt.

While Belle will sit out the trip to Jupiter, Fla., he is scheduled to start in right field the next day against the Minnesota Twins at Fort Lauderdale.

Belle has been used in right field for all three intrasquad games, with mixed results. He has hit the ball with authority, but continues to move poorly in the outfield and on the basepaths and hasn’t attempted to slide, even in drills.

“If there’s a close play, he’s supposed to slide. He’ll play hard,” Manager Mike Hargrove said. “Albert has not backed off or asked out of anything here. There have been times we’ve gone up to him and asked him how he feels and if he wants to sit out a drill. He’s not taken us up on the offer, which is good to see.”

When informed that Belle has not slid, Hargrove responded: “Eventually he has to.”

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Tike Redman went four for seven with four RBIs and one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ five homers as the Pirates routed Manatee Community College, 22-5, at Bradenton, Fla., in baseball’s first exhibition game this spring.

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Eddie Mathews was remembered during a private graveside service for the Hall of Fame third baseman at the Santa Barbara Cemetery. Mathews died Feb. 18 at 69.