Chicago Cubs hire Dale Sveum as new manager

The Chicago Cubs hired Dale Sveum as their manager Thursday. Sveum replaces Mike Quade, who was fired by Theo Epstein, the team's new president of baseball operations. The Cubs finished 71-91 after a disappointing season that extended their infamous championship drought to 103 seasons.

Sveum has little experience as a manager, other than an interim stint for the Brewers late in 2008 after Ned Yost's firing. He also served as Boston's third-base coach when Epstein was the general manager.

Sveum also interviewed for the Red Sox manager's vacancy and met a second time this week with officials from the Cubs and Boston.

"I do my due diligence and video work and prepare as much as anybody," Sveum said. "As far as the stats, those are what they are, and we can use them to our advantage. It's a big part of the game now."

Sveum, who played 12 seasons with the Brewers and six other teams, did well in his limited run as Milwaukee's manager in 2008. After Ned Yost was fired in September, Sveum led the Brewers to their first playoff appearance in 26 years, winning six of seven down the stretch.

Milwaukee then decided to hire a more experienced manager in the off-season and went with Ken Macha, who lasted two seasons. Sveum stayed on as the hitting coach.

The Cubs will have a news conference Friday to formally introduce Sveum.

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-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Dale Sveum throws batting practice before Game 2 of the Milwaukee Brewers' 2008 NLDS playoff series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Credit: Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images

Baseball adds two wild-card teams, moves Houston to AL West

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday that team owners unanimously approved Jim Crane as the Houston Astros' new owner and that as part of his agreement to buy the club, Crane will agree not to stop Major League Baseball from shifting the Astros to the American League in 2013, creating two 15-team leagues.

Selig also said two wild-card teams will be added to the playoffs no later than 2013.

"It's a historical day," Selig said.

Selig did not offer specifics on the schedule or playoff format, but said his committee for on-field matters favors the one-game playoff among wild-card teams in each league.

Crane is to receive a refund of approximately $70 million of his $660-million purchase price to mitigate the potential crimp on the Astros' local TV ratings with the move to the AL West, which means the Astros will play a lot of late West Coast games.

If the 2013 playoff format had been in place this season, the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox would have met in a one-game playoff, with the winner advancing to the AL division series. In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves would have met in a one-game playoff.

"People can be critical, I understand that,'' Selig said, "but this is fair.''

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-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who announced Thursday that two wild card teams would be added to the playoffs no later than 2013. Credit: Morry Gash / Associated Press.

Report: Houston Astros join Angels in AL West if sale approved

Major League Baseball told Jim Crane it would not approve his purchase of the Houston Astros unless he agreed to move the team to the American League in 2013. Approval of the sale could be announced as early as Thursday at a meeting of baseball executives in Milwaukee. And if they do move, the Astros would move to the AL West, joining the Angels, Texas, Oakland and Seattle.

According to the Associated Press, Crane will receive a $70-million discount off the $680-million purchase price in exchange for moving the Astros to the AL in 2013.

The move would create two 15-team leagues, which would create a more proportionate schedule.

Commissioner Bud Selig addressed a possible Astros move during a Twitter chat on Monday.

"For 15/15 realignment, Houston would be the team moving to AL West. Would create more fairness in baseball," Selig said. He also added that "15 teams in each league would necessitate interleague play every day but it will be better schedule overall."

The Astros currently play in the six-team NL Central. The AL West is the only division in the majors with only four teams.

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-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

Angels hire Hal Morris as pro scouting director

In the latest move toward rebuilding a front office decimated by firings, the Angels on Monday announced that former big leaguer Hal Morris has agreed to terms on a multiyear contract to become director of pro scouting. 

“Hal brings a very special set of skills to our organization," General Manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement.  “His abilities in the areas of player evaluation and qualitative analysis will play a major role in the program we are building here.”      

Morris, 46, began his professional career after his selection by the New York Yankees in the eighth round of the 1986 draft.  He made his big-league debut with the Yankees two years later and during a career that included time with New York (1988-89), Cincinnati (1990-97, 1999-2000), Kansas City (1998) and Detroit (2000), he compiled a career .304 average with 76 home runs and 513 RBI in 1,246 games.

A member of the 1990 World Series champion Reds, Morris’ sacrifice fly in Game 4 turned out to be the game-winning and series-winning RBI.  A year later, he finished second in the National League batting race, one point behind Atlanta’s Terry Pendleton (.319 to .318).

After retiring as a player Morris joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and scouted amateur players from 2008-2009 before joining the Boston Red Sox in 2010.  With the Sox, Morris was assigned to evaluate players already in the organization, both on the major and minor league levels.

-- Kevin Baxter

Report: Kidnapped Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is alive

Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, who was kidnapped Wednesday outside his home in Venezuela, is alive, it was reported Thursday.

A Venezuelan police Twitter feed says: “State law enforcement officials confirm ballplayer Ramos alive," according to the Washington Post.

Venezuelan officials said Thursday that they found the vehicle Ramos' kidnappers used to abduct him. The Ramos family, which had not been contacted by the kidnappers, urged the public to stay calm.

The Nationals and Major League Baseball issued a joint statement Thursday: “Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time. Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter. Both Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals have been instructed to make no further comment."

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Ramos kidnapped in Venezuela

Photos: Cardinals vs. Rangers in World Series

An "unbelievable, amazing, incredible" victory for Cardinals

-- Melissa Rohlin

 Photo: Wilson Ramos. Credit: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos kidnapped in Venezuela

Venezuelan officials said Thursday they have found the vehicle used by armed men who abducted Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos.

Police found the kidnappers' vehicle abandoned a short distance from where he was abducted and were gathering evidence, Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami told reporters Thursday morning. He said anti-kidnapping units were dispatched to the area in central Carabobo state.

"The abductors haven't made contact with the family or with anyone," said Domingo Alvarez, vice president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. "We're worried."

Ramos was taken away in an SUV by four armed men from his home in Santa Ines on Wednesday night.

"Every major league player has his own security, but we don't know if at that time he had his security there," Alvarez said. He said it's the first time a Major League Baseball player has been abducted in the country, though players' relatives have been held for ransom in the past.

As a rookie in 2011 Ramos hit .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs in 113 games.

ALSO:

Now the Cardinals will look to the future

Photos: Cardinals vs. Rangers in World Series

An "unbelievable, amazing, incredible" victory for Cardinals

-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Wilson Ramos. Credit: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

Is Terry Francona the next manager of the Cardinals?

The Associated Press is reporting that former Boston Red Sox Manager Terry Francona has interviewed with the St. Louis Cardinals for their manager opening.

Francona managed the Red Sox for eight seasons and left after they blew a nine-game September lead in the AL wild-card race.

St. Louis is seeking a replacement for Tony La Russa, who retired two days after winning his second World Series in 16 seasons with the Cardinals.

More interviews are planned for Wednesday, believed to be with third base coach Jose Oquendo and Hall of Fame second baseman Ryan Sandberg, who managed the Phillies' Triple-A team last season.

After Francona left the Red Sox, there were reports players drank beer and ate fried chicken in the clubhouse during games rather than root on their teammates.

Boston ended an 86-year championship drought in 2004, Francona's first season, when the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in the World Series. Francona also managed the Red Sox to a sweep of Colorado in the 2007 Series.

Francona is the second-winningest manager in Red Sox history with a 744-552 record and 8-0 mark in the World Series.

Francona and Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak did not respond to requests for comment.

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-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Terry Francona with the Red Sox last season. Credit: Carlos Osorio / Associated Press.

Who is the best choice to replace Tony La Russa in St Louis?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss who would be the best successor to former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who retired three days after the team won the World Series championship. Feel free to join the discussion with a comment of your own.

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times

The Cardinals need someone with more than just people and managerial skills. They also need someone with the gravitas to take over a club that just won the World Series.

At the top of that short list would be former Cardinals catcher Joe Girardi. But he already has his dream job with the New York Yankees. Next would be former Red Sox skipper Terry Francona, who was run out of Boston when the team blew the wild-card playoff spot in the final inning of the final game.

But the frat-house environment Francona presided over in Boston won’t fly in St. Louis, where La Russa long ran the tightest clubhouse in baseball. If Francona has the desire to manage again, however, and can convince management, the players and fans he can be a disciplinarian, this could be a good fit for both sides.

Tony La Russa retires as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals

Tony La Russa is retiring as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals three days after winning his second World Series with the team and third overall.

La Russa, 67, made the announcement at a news conference Monday at Busch Stadium, a day after he and the Cardinals celebrated their championship at the St. Louis Rams game.

After a 33-year career, La Russa is third on the all-time wins list with 2,728. In addition to World Series titles with the Cardinals this year and in 2006, he also won a championship as skipper of the Oakland Athletics in 1989.

More later at www.latimes.com/sports.

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Now the Cardinals will look to the future

Photos: Cardinals vs. Rangers in World Series

An 'unbelievable, amazing, incredible' victory for Cardinals

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Tony La Russa speaks during a celebration for the Cardinals' 11th World Series victory Sunday. Credit: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

World Series: Cardinals find another way to say thanks

The Cardinals' Tony La Russa is an old-school manager, and as such he doesn't believe in conceding anything until the last out has been made.

Still, even La Russa figured St. Louis was done late in Thursday's Game 6 of the World Series. Before the game Cardinals' management had told La Russa that, should the team lose, it wanted his players to go on the field and thank the fans before Major League Baseball presented the Texas Rangers with the World Series trophy.

And while La Russa considered such talk negative before such a big game, in both the ninth and 10th innings Thursday he found himself reminding the team of its postgame obligations. The players, obviously, found another way to give thanks, staging improbable rallies each time before winning the game in the 11th, 10-9, on David Freese's leadoff home run.

"There was a couple of times, in the ninth and 10th with two outs, I told some of the guys, 'We've got to do the fans right,'" La Russa said. "So we went from that to celebrating. That's a big emotional change.

"Once it got started it's much more fun to think, 'Hey, we can do this' [than]  'Oh, it's not going to work.'"

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World Series: Oh what a night (for Cardinal fans)

Cardinals' David Freese gets to live every child's dream

Cardinals and Rangers World Series: Superstitions abound

-- Kevin Baxter in St. Louis

Photo: Tony La Russa. Credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images.

World Series: Fox broadcast draws huge audience

Thursday's dramatic World Series game drew more than 21 million viewers, Major League Baseball said Friday. At its peak nearly one-third of all U.S. houses using televisions were tuned in to the Fox network broadcast of the St. Louis Cardinals' 11-inning win over the Texas Rangers.

More than 8 of every 10 TVs in operation in Dallas and St. Louis were tuned in to the game.

Overall, Fox averaged an estimated 19.72 million viewers and a 12.0 rating and 19 share nationally, according to Nielsen Media Research, which tracks TV viewership. That swamped second-place CBS, which had a 12 share and 12.09 million viewers.

MORE:

Freese frame: Man of the hour

Hey, neither side is willing to give in

Rangers run through their pitchers in Game 6

-- Kevin Baxter in St. Louis

 Photo: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. Credit:  Rob Carr / Getty Images.

World Series: Strategy backfires for Ron Washington, Rangers

The St. Louis Cardinals went from elimination to elation by rallying to win Game 6 of the World Series in 11 innings Thursday, forcing a seventh game to decide baseball's championship Friday.

But across the field the Texas Rangers were riding the emotional roller-coaster in the other direction. Twice they were one strike away from the first title in franchise history, only to see the Cardinals come back both times, setting the stage for David Freese's walkoff home run leading off Mark Lowe leading off the 11th.

"I understand that it's not over until you get the last out," a dejected Ranger Manager Ron Washington said. "And I was just sitting there praying that we'd get the last out and we didn't get it."

Washington may have inadvertently aided the Cardinal comeback by twice walking batters, having closer Neftali Feliz pitch around Lance Berkman with first base open and one out in the ninth and ordering Scott Feldman to pass Albert Pujols intentionally in the 10th. It's a strategy Washington has used repeatedly in the Series, with generally good results. But his luck ran out Thursday.

Free-agent-to-be Pujols, who looked as if he may be hitting in a Cardinal uniform for the last time, started the ninth-inning rally with a double to left-center, his first hit since a record-setting performance in Game 3. Berkman, a switch-hitter who already had two hits including a first-inning home run, then walked. That gave Feliz and the Rangers good matchups with right-hand-hitters Allen Craig and David Freese to follow.

And Feliz struck out Craig for the second out before Freese drove a two-strike pitch to the wall in the right-field corner to tie the game.

The Rangers regained the lead in the 10th on Josh Hamilton's two-run homer but the Cardinals came back again in the 10th. In the bottom of the inning Washington again intentionally walked a hitter -- this time it was Pujols -- and Berkman made him pay, tying the game again with a run-scoring single.

Afterward Washington was doing little second-guessing.

"We had the right people in the right spot and they beat us," he said. "You've got to give them credit. They fought. They came back and they won the ballgame."

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World Series: Oh what a night (for Cardinal fans)

Cardinals' David Freese gets to live every child's dream

Cardinals and Rangers World Series: Superstitions abound

-- Kevin Baxter in St. Louis

Photo: Manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers stands on the mound during Game Six of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 27. Credit: Rob Carr / Getty Images.

World Series: Cardinals replace Holliday on roster

The St. Louis Cardinals will be without outfielder Matt Holliday in Friday night's decisive seventh game of the World Series after he was replaced on the roster by Adron Chambers.

Holliday, who hit just .158 in the Series, was injured in the sixth inning of Thursday's game when he hurt his hand diving back to third base on a pickoff attempt.

MLB Postseason rules provide that injured players can be replaced during the World Series if the severity of the injury, as determined by Major League Baseball, is such that it would require a disabled list assignment during the regular season.

On the play, Ranger third baseman Adrian Beltre placed his foot in front of the bag, preventing Holliday from reaching the base and tagging him out. But Holliday also jammed his hand against Beltre's foot and that turned out to be a key turning point in the game because Holliday was replaced by Allen Craig, who homered two innings later.

Craig will likely start in Holliday's spot in Game 7.

The Cardinals originally thought Holliday had a fracture but the medical staff said early Friday morning that it was a bad bruise with significant swelling.

The speedy Chambers had three hits in eight at-bats during the regular season and went 1 for 5 in the first two rounds of the playoffs, striking out the other four times. The Cardinals have mainly used him as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.

-- Kevin Baxter in St. Louis

World Series: Did Cards win or did Texas lose?

What came first, the chicken or the egg? If a tree falls in an empty forest, does it make a sound? To these timeless conundrums we add this one:

Did the St. Louis Cardinals win Game 6 of the World Series on Thursday or did the Texas Rangers lose it?

Regardless of the answer, the teams will meet again Friday for a decisive Game 7. And what happened in Game 6 will no doubt carry over in both clubhouses.

The Cardinals, who rallied from deficits five times before winning the game on David Freese's two-strike home run leading off the 11th inning, will come to the ballpark riding a massive wave of momentum. Despite making three errors, managing just three hits through the first seven innings, stranding 11 men on base and going 3 for 12 with runners in scoring position, St. Louis won, staving off elimination.

"There's a lot of reasons I'm really pleased," Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa said. "For one thing even though it didn't look good, we competed better than to get bounced out in six [games]. It's been an even series and now it's winner-take-all.

"It's just as exciting as it's supposed to be."

The Rangers, meanwhile, come to the park knowing they were one out -- one strike! -- away from their first World Series title in both the 9th and 10th innings, yet let it get away. And that happened despite the fact they got 15 hits; had go-ahead home runs from Adrian Beltre in the seventh and Josh Hamilton in the 10th; and received a gutsy performance from catcher Mike Napoli, who reached base five times and picked the go-ahead run off third base in the sixth inning while playing with a severely turned ankle.

Napoli had the World Series MVP sewn up if the Rangers had won. Now it's an open debate again.

But Texas also burned through its bullpen, using eight pitchers, which could leave them shorthanded in Game 7. Left-hander Matt Harrison is scheduled to start and he hasn't lasted longer than five innings in three postseason starts.

"We battled," Texas Manager Ron Washington said. "It's not that easy to win a world championship, as we found out tonight. We had the right people in the right spot and they beat us.

"We've been in tough situations before. We've always responded. I expect us to respond [Friday]."

RELATED:

World Series: Oh what a night (for Cardinal fans)

Cardinals' David Freese gets to live every child's dream

Cardinals and Rangers World Series: Superstitions abound

-- Kevin Baxter, reporting from St. Louis

Photo: Yadier Molina reacts after drawing a walk to push Lance Berkman home for the tying run during Game 6 of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday. Credit: Steve Nagy / MCT.

World Series notes: La Russa never kissed off season

The Cardinals opened spring training eight months ago by sending their ace pitcher, Adam Wainwright, off to have season-ending surgery. So, Manager Tony La Russa was asked Thursday, if someone had told him then that his team would be in the World Series, playing Game 6 at home, how would he have reacted?

“I would have kissed your butt at home plate opening day,” he said to laughter.

“We’ve mugged a couple of chances to be in a better position. But … we’ve had a lot of fun. We’ve popped champagne three times.

“Postseason never disappoints, even just getting in and playing the division series and losing. You get to the World Series, this is the most enjoyment you can have. I’m enjoying it more than ever.

“I don’t know if this makes a difference, but I always enjoy this part.”

Game 6 of World Series postponed because of bad weather

The Texas Rangers will have to wait at least one more day to try to win their first World Series title after Wednesday's scheduled Game 6 was postponed because of threatening weather.

Major League Baseball had an afternoon meeting with representatives of the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals and announced at 2:15 p.m. CDT -- less than five hours before the scheduled first pitch -- that the game would be pushed back a day.

The Rangers lead the best-of-seven series, three games to two

A 50% chance of rain was forecast for game time. And though the skies were overcast and threatening Wednesday afternoon, no rain had fallen since a light morning mist. The protective tarp remained on the Busch Stadium infield.

"Given the desire to play a game of this magnitude without interruption, and an outlook with better conditions over the next two nights, Major League Baseball, along with the Cardinals and the Rangers, determined that making the decision early would be the most prudent course of action to allow fans enough time to plan accordingly," MLB said in a release.

Clear skies but low temperatures are forecast for Thursday.

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-- Kevin Baxter in St. Louis

Photo: The tarp covers the field before Game 1 of the World Series. Threatening weather has caused the postponement of Game 6. Credit: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images.

 

Will the World Series go to seven games and, if so, who will win?

Not that anything about the World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals has been predictable, but writers from around the Tribune Co. will do their best to forecast the outcome. Check back throughout the day for their responses and join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment.

Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

Mike Napoli and his Rangers teammates had no choice, really. If they were going to win the World Series, they had to find a way to win Game 5, and they did. Now they go to St. Louis with a chance to end it Wednesday night, but they’re not going to celebrate this soon. This World Series has been one of the best in a long time, and it deserves to go to the distance, which it will.

My original pick was Rangers in seven, and I’m sticking to it. I say that the Cardinals will win Game 6 behind big games from Jaime Garcia and Albert Pujols, but that the Rangers will come back to grab Game 7, scoring early and often against starter Kyle Lohse and a bullpen that has been exposed as the Cardinals’ fatal flaw. Look for Ian Kinsler to step up with a big hit or two, and the Rangers to string together shutout innings late in Game 7.

Peter Schmuck, Baltimore Sun

History tells us that the World Series team that wins Game 5 to take a 3-2 advantage goes on to win the title 66 percent of the time, which makes a pretty strong case for the Texas Rangers winning their first  championship. All they have to do is win one of the next two games against the team that had the worst regular-season record among this year's eight playoff teams.

Except it isn't going to go down that way. Cardinals Game 6 starter Jaime Garcia is coming off a terrific seven-inning performance in Game 2 that went to waste when the bullpen blew up in the ninth inning. He'll drag the Cards into Game 7 and they'll have the home crowd behind them with all the candy on the line. If they can just get manager Tony La Russa and bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist a couple of bluetooth headsets, they should complete their unlikely late-season comeback.

Bill Kline, Allentown Morning Call

With the World Series tally at Rangers 3, Cardinals 2, General Sports Fan Interest 0, if there’s any compassion at all for television viewers, this prime-time nuisance will go away Wednesday night with a Texas victory.

Is this an East Coast bias? Guilty. Is this discrimination against Middle America? Guilty. Is this bitterness that the Series is not a Phillies-Yankees smackdown between baseball’s best teams over 162 games? Guilty.

Because the sorry subplot here is that the over-managed Cardinals and their know-it-all skipper are lucky just to be in the playoffs. The Rangers are more deserving, their fans thirstier. Look for Nelson Cruz to play longball and the Rangers to romp Wednesday in a game that will drag on almost as long as the holiday shopping season.

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Photos: World Series, Rangers vs. Cardinals

Tony La Russa's call to arms falls on deaf ears

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Mike Napoli delivers again for Rangers in Game 5 victory

Left photo: Albert Pujols. Credit: John G. Mabanglo / EPA

Right photo: Texas' Mike Napoli. Credit: Tom Fox / Dallas Morning News / MCT

Should alcohol be banned from all MLB clubhouses?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the topic -- join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times

Yes, I do think alcohol should be banned from all clubhouses, and frankly, I'm not sure why baseball didn't take such action after Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in an automobile accident that was caused by a drunk driver in 2009. What if a player drank too much in the clubhouse after a game and caused a fatal accident on the way home? By removing alcohol from the clubhouse, baseball teams would eliminate any liability in such matters. If players want to drink after games, let them do it on their own time and on their own dime.

Plus, I'm guessing that Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton is not the only major leaguer who has struggled or is struggling with an addiction to alcohol. Removing alcohol from the clubhouse would show a sensitivity to such players and help curb or eliminate the temptation for them to drink while at the park.

Angels may be interested in Omar Minaya for general manager

Add Omar Minaya’s name to the growing list of candidates who will interview for the Angels’ vacant general manager post.

Minaya, the former GM of the Montreal Expos, held the same post with the New York Mets from 2005 to 2010. The Dominican-born Minaya was baseball’s first Latino general manager, and Angels owner Arte Moreno was baseball’s first Latino owner.

An Angels spokesman would neither confirm nor deny the team’s interest in Minaya.

Since former General Manager Tony Reagins resigned at the end of last month, the Angels have reportedly talked with Rick Hahn, the Chicago White Sox's vice president and assistant GM; Kim Ng, former Dodgers assistant GM; Jerry DiPoto, a senior vice president with the Arizona Diamondbacks; and Yankees executives Billy Eppler and Damon Oppenheimer.

-- Kevin Baxter in St. Louis

Photo: Omar Minaya talks about the firing of Willie Randolph as Mets manager during an interleague stop at Anaheim Stadium in 2008. Credit: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig mum on McCourt case

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig declined to say Thursday whether he believes Jamie McCourt’s decision to relinquish full control of the Dodgers to her former husband Frank would speed resolution of a dispute that saw Selig take control of the franchise last spring.

“I don’t have a comment on it,” he said. “You know we’re in litigation and I prefer to not comment.”

Selig is expected to testify when hearings over McCourt’s bankruptcy case begin later this month in Delaware.

Selig made his first public appearance at the World Series to help present Boston slugger David Ortiz with the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball's most presitigious public service prize.

Ortiz was recognized for his work with children in the U.S., Dominican Republic and Haiti, including the raising of funds to provide access to critical pediatric care.

Ortiz is the second Red Sox to win the award in as many years, following pitcher Tim Wakefield. Ortiz is also the sixth Latin American player to be honored in the 39 years since the award was named for Clemente, the first Latin American voted into the Hall of Fame.

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Frank and Jamie McCourt reach settlement involving Dodgers

 -- Kevin Baxter, reporting from St. Louis

Photo: Dodgers owner Frank McCourt can now focus his attention on Commissioner Bud Selig and the bankruptcy case. Credit: Los Angeles Times and Associated Press