Texas Rangers Wiretap

Rangers' Almanzar Suspended 10 Days For Violating Steroids Policy

Injured reliever Carlos Almanzar of the Texas Rangers was suspended for the first 10 days of next season for violating baseball's steroids policy.

The announcement came Tuesday, shortly after the 2005 playoffs began. Almanzar is the 10th major-league player banned 10 days this year under the sport's new policy, and the second Texas pitcher. Right-hander Agustin Montero was suspended on April 20.

Almanzar's agent, Jeff Borris, said: "Carlos has the right to appeal the test results. He is not contesting the findings and he's going to serve the 10-day suspension. He has no statement other than that."

Via ESPN

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Gonzalez Defends Raffy

Two-time AL MVP Juan Gonzalez says he told congressional investigators Tuesday that he thinks former teammate Rafael Palmeiro "has always been clean."

A release issued by Gonzalez's agent, Alan Nero, said Gonzalez spoke by telephone to lawyers from the House Government Reform Committee about Palmeiro and answered all of their questions.

Palmeiro was suspended Aug. 1 by Major League Baseball for failing a drug test. Congress is looking into whether he committed perjury when he testified under oath in March before the Government Reform Committee and said he "never used steroids. Period."

Via ESPN

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Hart's Resignation Clears Way For 28-Year-Old GM

John Hart stepped down Tuesday as general manager of the Texas Rangers, clearing the way for 28-year-old Jon Daniels to become the youngest GM in major league history.

Hart's resignation came two days after the Rangers finished 79-83, their third losing season in four years under Hart and their fifth since winning their last AL West title in 1999.

Hart, whose teams won six division titles in his last seven years in Cleveland ending in 2001, will be replaced by Daniels, who at 28 years, 41 days, is about 10 months younger than Theo Epstein was when he became Boston's GM on Nov. 25, 2002. Daniels was promoted from assistant GM and Hart will remain a team consultant.

"He's got a truly brilliant mind, he's a walking baseball encyclopedia," Texas owner Tom Hicks said of Daniels. "I think his youth is an asset to us. ... I did my first leveraged buyout when I was about that age. Young people can kind of do things in this life."

Via ESPN

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