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Show DAILY Tuesday, July 8, 2008 HERALD C5 MLB A-Ro- wife: Divorce over 'extramarital affairs' d's Curt Anderson and Jake Coy le THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MIAMI A tumultuous week for Alex Rodriguez, played out in tabloid headlines and carried on the whispers of a connection to Madonna, came to a head Monday when his wife filed for divorce. The more than marriage collapsed amid reports of a new friendship between the Yankee slugger and the pop singer, an York convergence of sport and entertainment only-in-Ne- celebrity. Played out in both the sports pages and gossip magazines, the saga appeared to have taken its toll on Cynthia Rodriguez, who said in divorce papers that her husband "emotionally abandoned his wife and children." "The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband's extramari- tal affairs and other marital misconduct," according to her petition for dissolution of marriage, filed in the family division of Miami-Dad- e County Circuit Court. The New York Yankees third baseman, who earned his 12th selection Sunday, has refused to comment on any relationship with Madonna. Rodriguez's attorney in who Miami, Ira M. Elegant is also representing NBA star Shaquille O'Neal in his ongosaid he had not ing divorce reviewed the divorce petition but added: "As you know, anyone can pay the filing fee and make allegations." All-St- player to the form of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah. Cynthia Rodriguez last week visited the Paris home of Kravitz. The rocker denied anything improper, saying she had come to France to escape the media frenzy in New York and stayed at his home as a friend. Her lawyer, Maurice declined to elaborate on the divorce filing, which does not mention Madonna or by any alleged paramours name. "Cynthia has made it very clear to me that she wants to take the high road and protect her children and herself. There's no vindictiveness here," Kutner said. "She wants to resolve the issues between Alex and herself in an ami- filed the day after Rodriguez hit his 536th homer, tying Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for 13th. The Rodriguez has found himself in the tabloids more than any other Yankee since arriving in New York in 2004. Last year, he on the was labeled "Stray-Rod- " front page of the New York Post after being photographed out at night with a former Vegas stripper. "I think for Alex, he's been through this before, he knows how to handle it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday. "I'm sure there are times he wishes he could just fit in. That's the price you pay. "Obviously, everyone likes to keep their life private. Unf ,. fortunately, in this world, that cable fashion." doesn't happen." The couple, who married Yankees Hank KATHY WILLENSAssociated Press in November 2002, has had a Steinbrenner didn't seem too concerned when asked if his New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez scratches his head as he talks to a member of the prenuptial agreement in place e since Oct. 3, 2002, according to star player can keep his media in the dugout before the Yankees face the Boston Red Sox in the first game of a the divorce papers. series at Yankee Stadium in New York, on Thursday. problems from affecting Because Florida is a his play. divorce state, extramarital af"Everybody has personal Richard Rubenstein, a fairs do not factor into how the problems to deal with. Just including an Us Weekly report Alex Rodriguez." last week saying that RodriRodriguez added some Holspokesman for Rodriguez, deRodriguezes' assets might be playing baseball doesn't clined to address to allegations divided, according to marriage change that anymore than it guez made several lywood glitz to his manageof infidelity, saying that would visits to Madonna's apartment law experts Leon Finkel and ment team last year when he does for anybody else," Steinin New York. hired Oseary, who had previbe brought up in court. David Levy of Oak Park, 111. brenner said at the Yankees' "His priorites are to have a That is, unless such affairs are complex in Tampa, Fla. "But Madonna, who is married to ously worked with Madonna I'm sure he'll be fine." future with his children and be filmmaker Guy Ritchie, denied and Lenny Krayitz. Oseary is specifically addressed in the not a registered baseball agent, prenuptial agreement. a big part of their lives," RuRodriguez is in the first seaany romantic involvement with Rodriguez in a statement and Rodriguez retained Scott son of a $275 million, benstein said. They have a $12 million, six bedroom house in the upBoras as his representative-ocontract with the Yankees, a.... Sunday. Cynthia Rodriguez has baseball matters. deal that allows him to earn asked for primary custody of scale Miami suburb of Coral "My husband and I are not Madonna's statement added Gables. A company run by their two children Nathasha planning on getting a divorce," up to $305 million. He made a corporation controlled by the statement said. "I know that she has "nothing to do $ 185.45 million from 2001-Alexander, 3, and Alex Rodriguez through Guy as Well as Ella Alexander with the state of his marriage from his contract with the TexRodriguez bought an apartchild support and alimony. or what spiritual path he may ment at Trump Park Avenue as Rangers and Yankees. Oseary, who manages both of in Manhattan for $7.4 million us. I brought my kids to a Yan- choose to study," apparently Days before the filing, stoin reference to reports that the in July 2005. ries linking Rodriguez and kee game. I am not romantiI Jake Coyle contributed to The divorce petition was this story from New York. Madonna began to surface, cally involved in any way with singer had introduced the ball- Kut-ne- lt late-nig- -- 7 Padre catcher Barrett hopes to have facial surgery soon Continued fromCl "Let's fore it: This is still a calculated risk," Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said. "The other teams in our division aren't going to sit back and look at this and say, 'Oh, now the Brewers have got CC Sabathia. Let's just roll over.' " player-size- THE d P" j-- . y? hope he is," Melvin said. Attanasio said the acquisition of Sabathia will push the team's payroll around $90 million this season. Attanasio said the move might prevent the club from turning a profit this year, but it was made possible by increased fan support and sound financial decisions in recent years. "We'd always love to go for it," Attanasio said. "But you can go for it in a stupid fashion, and Doug and his group have never done that." Sabathia had a slow start but is with a 3.83 ERA. Cleveland scored two runs or fewer in 11 of his 18 starts. Milwaukee's starting pitch- 6-- i v., 'yW .v J r-- K Greg Maddux, Monday Barrett. "You look good," Peavy said. "At least your nose is straight." r!f the first m p V -- ppi J ' MORRY GASHAssociated Press Sabathia is seen in the dugout with second baseman Rickie Weeks, right, during the first inning on Monday. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Huntsville. Sabathia rejected a $72 milextension from lion, four-yea- r the Indians during spring training and announced he wouldn't supposed to take four months, negotiate until after the season. which gives him an outside Shapiro said seven teams chance of returning before the were interested in Sabathia, and the trade came after three end of the season. Sheets (10-- 2.77 ERA) is off to five days of intense negotiations with Milwaukee. to the best start of his career, "CC made it clear that once is in the but the righty the season started he did not final year of a $38.5 million, four-yea- r want to entertain any negotiacontract. No matter tions," Shapiro said. "Our explowhat happens in the future, ration of a contract was thorSheets said he's glad the Brewers are going for it now. ough enough in spring training "It's hard to tell people in years to understand the combination ing has been thin ever since Yovani Gallardo went on the disabled list on May 2 with a torn knee ligament that required surgery. His rehab was Double-- All-St- past, "Three years from now, we're going to be good,' " Sheets said. "We want to win now." Milwaukee, which hasn't been in the postseason since the days of Robin Yount and Paul Molitor, fell two games short of the division title last year. The Indians, who fell one win shy of the World Series last year, are in need corner of power-hittin- g outfielders and LaPorta is expected to fill that void. He hit .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs in 84 games for of our capabilities and CC's expectations didn't align." Sabathia said he wasn't going to worry about his contract until the end of the season. "It's hard enough to play this game as it is, let alone with any other distractions such as a contract going on," Sabathia said. "I'll focus on that when it comes. Right now, I'm worried about pitching tomorrow." I Associated Press Writer Joe Milicia in Cleveland contributed to this report. time the Padres saw Bar- rett since he fouled a ball off his face Wednesday night in a game at Colorado, fracturing three bones and landing on the disabled list for perhaps six weeks. Barrett spent that night in a Denver hospital and returned to San Diego the next day while the team headed to Arizona for a weekend series. "I feel really good," Barrett said. "At this point, I look a lot worse than I feel. I'm just hurrying up and waiting for surgery. That's kind of the thing I want now." Barrett said he will meet today with the specialist who repaired teammate Chris Young's broken nose last week. He hopes he can have surgery as soon as Wednesday. "The sooner we can do the surgery, the sooner I'll have a chance to get back," said Barrett, who has a broken nose, broken orbital bone and a fractured bone in his forehead. "I'll be back," he promised. "I don't know when, but I'll come back. I'll come back and be available." Young broke his nose and sustained a small skull fracture when he was hit in the face by Albert Pujols' line drive on May 21. Young had surgery June 30 to repair his damaged septum. He's expected back later this month. Barrett said he felt lucky and embarrassed. The foul ball hit him on the top of his right eye. He said he had a patch of dead skin where the seam impacted his forehead. "All things considered, I feel very fortunate," he said. "If it had been anywhere further to the right, it could have caused permanent eye damage or even the loss of an eye. I feel very blessed overall." Barrett has seen the replay. "It's kind of embarrassing," he said with a laugh. "I mean, to be like the first guy to ever have that happen, is kind of dubious." NOTEBOOK sea- All-St- L"'. night's starter against Florida, took a picture of Barrett with his iPhone. Ace Jake Peavy came over and offered consoling words to the injured son," Shapiro said. "Four core players on the DL tough for almost any franchise to overcome as well as disap- pointing performances from many components of our team, most noticeably in the bullpen, leave us at the juncture we're at. There wasn't much doubt or question in our mind that it was nearly impossible for us to become a contending club this year." Sabathia arrived in Milwaukee before Monday night's game against Colorado and is scheduled to pitch against the Rockies tonight. He also is expected to pitch against Cincinnati on Sunday, giving him a pair of starts for his new team at home leading into the break. Milwaukee sent Cleveland outfielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named. Shapiro said the player to be named would be one of two specified in the deal. Melvin said the Brewers' strong farm system gave him flexibility to deal away a good prospect. "Matt LaPorta is going to be a good big league player, and I PRESS catcher Michael Barrett drew quite the crowd. well-found- g ASSOCIATED SAN DIEGO Sitting at his locker in street clothes and squinting through two black eyes, San Diego Padres Sabathia slugger Prince Fielder offered to lend him a is the pair of uniform pants first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Roger Clemens was dealt to the New York Yankees in the offseason after winning the award with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998. For Cleveland, it's a sign of surrender hardly anyone would have imagined going into the season. Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said the team's string of injuries and disappointing performances made it hard to imagine a significant rally in the second half. "We all headed into this season with what we feel are expectations for a championship-contendin- off-fiel- d four-gam- Sabathia The football r, to make a run at returning for 2009. His right arm in a sling, he said his shoulder is "sorer than I expected it to be." Schilling made his first public appearance since his surgery last month on the tendon and labrum in his shoulder. He was a charity event on behalf of the Shade Foundation founded by his wife, Shonda, a skin cancer survivor. I Braves recall Francoeur after 3 games in minors: At Atlanta, Jeff Francoeur's stay in the minor leagues ended in a hurry. Francoeur will rejoin the Atlanta Braves for Monday DAVID ZALUBOWSKIAP night's game in Los Angeles San Diego Padres' Michael against the Dodgers, general Barrett center, is helped by manager Frank Wren told The Associated Press. an unidentified trainer, left, and manager Bud Black after Francoeur, solid in the AtBarrett was hit in the bridge lanta outfield the previous two of the nose by a foul tip in years, was hitting only .234 when he was sent to Double-the third inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies Mississippi on Friday. He had four hits Sunday and was reon Wednesday. called by Atlanta on Monday. Barrett remained on the ground near home plate for several minutes. "Things happened so fast. When it first happened, I knew my nose was broken. I was hoping that I could still play," he said. "But then when I stood up the vision was off a little bit. It's still off a little bit. I still have a little double vision. I realize that I couldn't stay in the game." Barrett missed 19 games last August with a concussion. He said he could tell right away that he didn't sustain another one, but doctors were concerned. "They kept asking me, 'Do you know where you're at? Do you know your name?' I got a little frustrated because I told the doctor I was fine. He didn't believe me. Like, 'I'm in Denver I know I'm in Denver, OK? Leave me alone,' becausia he asked me about four times." Barrett said he "kind of cheated" to get to the fastball by Ubaldo Jimenez. "It rode in on my hands pretty good, and I was already open completely, and squared up to the ball, and fouled it off. It just really, really had a lot of ride to it." Barrett was in a good frame of mind. "Just one more scar ain't going to kill me," he said. I Red Sox The Braves said Sunday they will place three players on the disabled list Monday: pitchers Manny Acosta and Jeff Bennett and utility player Omar Infante. Infante hurt his hamstring while playing in right field, Francoeur's position. SS Gonzalez has knee surgery, out for year: At Cincinnati, Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez had surgery on his left knee Monday, ending his season before he got to play a single game. Team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the one-hosurgery and said Gonzalez could be ready for spring training next year. Gonzalez The sustained a compression fracture at the start of spring training in February. Cincinnati signed Gonzalez to a $14 million, three-yea- r deal before last season. He missed 28 games in 2007 while attending to his ailing son and ended up batting .272 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs. Reds outfielder Norris Hopper is scheduled for surgery today to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow. I Reds GOING ON VACATION DONATE YOUR PAPER pitcher Schilling undergoing normal rehab: At Randolph, Mass., Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling says he's started to rehabilitate his right shoulder after surgery, but hasn't decided whether to try to play again. Schilling, already out for this season, said Monday it will be at least five weeks before he must decide whether ' CAU. TO DONATE TO NEWSPAPERS 375-510- YOUR NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION 3 www.heraldextra.com : |