White Sox Owner Linked to Deal for D.C. Stadium

A company with close ties to Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, the chief negotiator in the deal that brought baseball to Washington, is a leading candidate for a multimillion-dollar contract to help plan the city’s proposed stadium, the Washington Post reported.

Reinsdorf’s son Michael is the managing director and co-founder of International Facilities Group, a consulting firm started in 1995 to “provide development and management services to municipalities and professional sports owners,” according to the company’s website.

The agreement Mayor Anthony Williams signed with Major League Baseball in September calls for the city to build a stadium in southeast Washington. As part of the $440-million cost, the pact calls for the city to pay an estimated $3.7 million for baseball’s consultant on the stadium, also known as the team representative.

If the past is any guide, IFG should have a strong shot at winning the contract because Major League Baseball and its teams have a long record of awarding contracts to the firm. IFG has worked as a consultant on stadiums in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Detroit and Miami.

Some city leaders, who learned Wednesday of Michael Reinsdorf’s potential involvement in the new stadium, wondered why the city should pay for a team representative. They said if IFG wins the contract, the involvement of both Reinsdorfs is a potential conflict of interest.

Jerry Reinsdorf was head of baseball’s relocation subcommittee centering on the Washington region.

“That’s absolutely worrying,” said city council member Adrian M. Fenty, who opposes the stadium deal. “Jerry Reinsdorf is an extremely wealthy businessperson only interested in making money. The fact that we somehow are preparing to possibly hire one of his family members makes the deal that much more bothersome and troubling.”

Michael Reinsdorf responded to a request for an interview by saying in an e-mail that he does not comment on clients. He referred all inquiries to Major League Baseball.

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Right-hander Woody Williams, 38, rejoined the San Diego Padres, more than three years after being traded.

Williams agreed to a one-year contract, with an option for 2006. He is guaranteed $3.5 million and could earn up to $14.5 million over two seasons if he starts regularly.

Williams was 11-8 with a 4.18 earned-run average for St. Louis last season.

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Right-hander Jon Lieber agreed to a $21-million, three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Lieber, 34, spent last season with the New York Yankees, going 14-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 27 starts. He was 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA in three playoff starts for the Yankees.

Lieber gets a $1-million signing bonus and will earn $5.25 million in 2005, $7.25 million in 2006 and $7.5 million in 2007.

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Carlos Delgado was not offered salary arbitration by Toronto before the deadline, leaving one of the biggest stars in franchise history to look for a new team.

The move was not a surprise for the cost-conscious Blue Jays because Delgado could command one of the richest free-agent contracts of the off-season.

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Atlanta severed its ties to J.D. Drew, deciding not to offer salary arbitration to the outfielder.

The Braves appeared on the verge of losing another key player in 15-game winner Jaret Wright, who was close to agreeing to a three-year deal with the Yankees for $20 million to $21 million.

The Braves declined arbitration for another 15-game winner, Russ Ortiz.

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Pitcher Dustin Hermanson and the White Sox agreed on a two-year, $5.5-million contract that contains a club option for 2007.

Hermanson, 31, who became the Giant closer in August and saved 17 games, was not offered arbitration by San Francisco.

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Six-time All-Star catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. signed a $550,000 contract with Texas.

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Free agent reliever Matt Mantei and Boston agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract. Mantei, who has been with Arizona since 1999, missed most of last season because of shoulder tendinitis.

Miscellany

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz., on suspicion of misdemeanor criminal damage for allegedly jumping on the hood of a car outside of a nightclub, police said.

Tyson was released after being given a citation. Scottsdale police Det. Sam Bailey said that Tyson probably would make an initial court appearance within 10 days.

Police said the arrest stemmed from an investigation into an incident late last month at the Pussycat Lounge. Tyson allegedly dented the hood of a 1999 Toyota Solara when he jumped on it as its driver was leaving the club about 12:45 a.m. on Nov. 27.

Police said it was unclear whether Tyson and the other man fought inside the club before the incident or whether they knew each other.

Vassiliy Jirov, a former cruiserweight champion attempting to establish himself in the heavyweight division, and Michael Moorer, a former heavyweight champion attempting to hang on at 37, meet into tonight’s main event at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula.

Moorer (46-4-1, 36 knockouts), who began his career in 1988, is best remembered for being knocked out by George Foreman when Foreman regained the heavyweight title in 1994. Foreman was 45 at the time.

Jirov (33-2, 29) lost the International Boxing Federation cruiserweight title to James Toney last year.

Kim Clijsters’ left wrist injury will keep her out of the Australian Open, tournament chief executive Paul McNamee said. The major starts Jan. 17.

McNamee also said that Jelena Dokic will skip the Australian Open. Dokic has not played in the event since 2001, when she lost in the first round after her father accused officials of fixing the draw. She renounced her Australian citizenship soon after.

Bobby East, the 19-year-old United States Auto Club champion, signed a long-term deal with Ford Racing Technology, and Evernham Motorsports hired sprint car standout Erin Crocker to drive in several different series.

Pat Coyle, who took over as coach of the New York Liberty on an interim basis on July 3 when Richie Adubato was fired, was given the job permanently.