Baseball Notebook: Stress fracture in left foot sidelines Yankees' O'Neill

Baseball Notebook: Stress fracture in left foot sidelines Yankees' O'Neill

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER NEWS SERVICES

Paul O'Neill hobbled into the New York Yankees clubhouse yesterday wearing a protective boot on his left foot and delivered his disappointing news: He'll be out at least a week because of a stress fracture.

"There's nothing I can do about it," the right fielder said. "I hoped after two or three days it would feel better, and it didn't."

O'Neill hurt himself running the bases Friday night against Boston.

He did not play Saturday or Sunday against the Red Sox.

An MRI exam revealed the crack.

O'Neill is hitting .267 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs, and has 22 stolen bases.

Owners schedule meeting

Baseball owners gather in Milwaukee today for talk, not action.

Months ago, some teams viewed the two-day fall meeting as an opportunity to make decisions on labor and contraction, but commissioner Bud Selig said he doesn't expect any major action.

Baseball, which has had eight work stoppages since 1972, is bracing for the expiration of its collective bargaining agreement on Oct. 31.

Owners, players and fans are wondering if there will be a lockout following the World Series.

Other than saying baseball must have changes in its economics, Selig hasn't revealed his strategy, even to most owners.

SHORT HOPS

St. Louis Cardinals rookie pitcher Bud Smith won the National League player of the week award after throwing a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, and Cleveland Indians right fielder Juan Gonzalez, who drove in a league-best 18 runs last week while hitting .379 with four home runs, earned American League honors. ... The Detroit Tigers recalled first baseman Eric Munson and purchased the contract of catcher Mike Rivera from their Class AA affiliate in Erie, Pa., and transferred third baseman Dean Palmer to the 60-day disabled list with an inflamed right rotator cuff. ... Chicago White Sox outfielder Magglio Ordonez injured his left wrist on a checked swing last and was taken to a hospital for X-rays.

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