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CHICAGO — The new owners of the Chicago Cubs are working with automaker Toyota on a sponsorship deal that could put the company's logo on a sign hoisted high above the left-field bleachers in time for the home opener next month.
It's a way to increase revenue for the Cubs. It could also make baseball purists cringe.
“I've been here four months. I've been a lifelong Cubs fan, and anytime you do anything here at Wrigley Field, it gets attention,” said Wally Hayward, who took over in November as the Cubs' vice president and chief sales and marketing officer.
The red-colored 16-by-22-foot Toyota sign would rise above the bleachers and, according to a rendition provided by the Cubs, would partially block a sign for a casino on a roof across the street.
“It doesn't impact the fans' experience,” Hayward said. “It's a way for us to generate additional revenue and preserve the history.”
The Cubs have been owned since October by the family of Omaha billionaire Joe Ricketts, founder of online brokerage firm TD Ameritrade.
Washington admits drug use as player
SURPRISE, Ariz. — A day after acknowledging he failed a drug test for cocaine last year, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington admits he used marijuana and amphetamines while he was a player.
“When you're young you make mistakes,” Washington said Thursday. “I wish I could take back some of the mistakes I may have made, but I can't.”
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Washington would keep his job. He said the team was aware Washington used drugs as a player.
“There's a distinction between what people do in their youth vs. later in life,” he told a group of reporters, according to the Web site of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“I'm sure there are things in our past we're not proud of,” Daniels said. “Ron could have avoided the question or lied and chose not to. I'm not going to punish him for being honest. That doesn't excuse the behavior but that's reality.”
Brewers' Gamel out six weeks
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Mat Gamel will be out at least six weeks because of a torn muscle in his right shoulder, team officials said Thursday.
The 23-year-old hit .242 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 61 games for the Brewers last season.
In other news:
• Phillies: Closer Brad Lidge gave up three hits and a run, throwing 16 pitches in a minor league game in Clearwater, Fla. The right-hander was encouraged by Thursday's work, his first action against live batters this spring. He is recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee and elbow.
• Cubs: Reliever Angel Guzman will have surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right shoulder and could be out for the season. He pitched in a career high 55 games last season, posting a 2.95 ERA.
• Diamondbacks: Arizona signed third baseman Mark Reynolds to a three-year contract on Thursday. The deal runs through 2012 and includes a club option for 2013.
Last year, Reynolds hit 44 home runs and had 102 RBIs, both career highs. Reynolds, 26, improved his batting average from .239 in 2008 to .260 in 2009. He also struck out 223 times last season, breaking the major league record of 204 he set the previous year. He has the third-most home runs by a third baseman in his first three years, behind Eddie Mathews (112) and Bob Horner (91).
• San Juan series: A three-game series between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins will be played at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium from June 28-30 instead of in Miami.
— World-Herald Press Services
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