Demons Under Control, Royals' Greinke Makes Good

Kansas City's Gil Meche didn't think he'd earn the money

(NEWSER) - Here's a contender for sportsman of the year—even though it's still January and this guy isn't in sports anymore. Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche is walking away from a guaranteed $12 million paycheck, opting to retire because he doesn't think he'd earn the money, reports the New York Times . Meche's production began tailing off in 2009 and worsened last season. Still, he had another year of big money left on his contract, which he would have collected with, at most, light bullpen duty. More»

Send Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Jake Odorizzi to Royals

(NEWSER) - The Kansas City Royals pulled the trigger on a deal to send Zack Greinke to the Brewers today, in exchange for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi, and another minor leaguer, most likely pitcher Jeremy Jeffress. Milwaukee also picked up shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt from the Royals as part of the deal, ESPN reports. More»

Pitcher for Dodgers, Astros, Mets suffered heart attack

(AP) - Former major league pitcher Jose Lima died today at age 37, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. The Aguilas Cibaenas, Lima's winter ball team in the Dominican Republic, said he died of an apparent heart attack. In 13 major league seasons, Lima was 89-102 with a 5.26 ERA. He hadn't pitched in the major leagues since a four-game stop with the New York Mets in 2006. More»

Judge calls furlough 'compassionate' act for man with few joys in life

(NEWSER) - Red Sox fandom turned out to be a get out of jail free card for one Iowa man. Randy Barker was serving a 20-day jail sentence for violating a protective order, but his lawyer argued that he should be released long enough to attend a Sox game with his dad and brother in Kansas City, calling it one of “the few pleasures the defendant has in life.” Even better: The Sox won, 10-3. More»

(NEWSER) - Stirrups, baseball’s heel- and toe-less signature hosiery, have their pitfalls for one minor leaguer. “They’re uncomfortable,” he says. “They want to fall down. They ride up in back. But it’s the look. You got to have some white showing.” Most major leaguers disagree, wearing pants all the way down to their shoes. But stirrups are hanging on in the minors, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»