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A22 SPORTS
Saturday 7 March 2020

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Matt Ball works against a Los
Angeles Dodgers batter during the eighth inning of a spring
training baseball game Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Glendale,
Ariz.
Associated Press

AP Source: Angels'

Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich speaks after the Brewers announced his multi-year contract
extension at the teams' spring training facility Friday, March 6, 2020, in Phoenix. visiting clubbie fired
Associated Press
Yelich stakes future to Brewers for ball-doctoring

with $215M, 9-year deal By GREG BEACHAM decades.
AP Sports Writer
Major League Baseball has
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The been cracking down this
Los Angeles Angels have spring on the use of pine
PHOENIX (AP) — Christian since 1981-82 but lost the for 2020 and 2021, then fired longtime visiting club- tar and other substances
Yelich took to Milwaukee NL wild-card game after adds $26 million annually house manager Brian "Bub- pitchers use to get a better
so much he staked his long- wasting an eighth-inning from 2022-28, of which $4 ba" Harkins for allegedly grip on the ball. Such prac-
term future to the Brewers. lead against Washington. million a year is deferred. aiding opposing pitchers in tices, including a popular
"I've said many times that "Knowing that Christian is The deal contains a $20 obtaining illegal substanc- concoction from sunscreen
I've only been here for two going to be here now for million team option for 2029 es to put on baseballs, a and resin, have technically
years, but it feels like it's the better part of the next with a $6.5 million buyout, person familiar with the de- been outlawed for years,
been a lot longer," the two- decade certainly allows us which if exercised would cision told The Associated but those rules had been
time NL batting champion to map out how we're go- make the contract worth Press on Thursday night. enforced sparingly.
said Wednesday after final- ing to remain competitive $228.5 million over 10 years. The person spoke on condi- The Angels moved imme-
izing a $215 million, nine- for that time period," Brew- He also gets a provision tion of anonymity because diately to dismiss Harkins
year contract. "Ever since I ers general manager Da- that he cannot be traded the Angels don't publicly after learning of his actions
came, it's felt like just a nat- vid Stearns said, "and that without his consent. discuss the details of inter- in previous seasons, the
ural fit, a place that is great was a priority of Christian's, Yelich's contract includes nal personnel matters. source told the AP.
for myself and my family, that we have the ability to the largest guarantee giv- The Angels confirmed Har- Harkins started out as a
and formed a connection remain competitive during en by the Brewers, topping kins' dismissal Thursday batboy with the Angels.
with the community, my his term as a Brewer." the $145.5 million for Braun night to The Associated He eventually became a
teammates, everyone from If Yelich keeps playing at from 2011-20. Attanasio Press. clubhouse attendant in the
ownership and front office this level and had he wait- said talks with Yelich began Harkins was fired Tuesday 1980s, and he has been in
on down." ed until becoming a free over lunch last Halloween. while the Angels are in Ari- his current job in the visitors'
His new deal added $187.25 agent after the 2022 sea- Yelich did not discuss an zona for spring training. He clubhouse since 1990.
million over seven seasons son, he likely would have opt-out provision and was has worked at Angel Stadi- The Los Angeles Times first
to the remaining $27.75 mil- commanded far more. not thinking about the po- um for most of the past four reported Harkins' firing.q
lion Yelich was guaranteed "What everybody sees on tential of free agency.
as part of the $49.57 million, the field is an MVP, but we "I don't have any regrets
seven-year contract he have that same MVP when about it. It's just one of Diamondbacks' Domingo
signed in March 2015 with it comes to the leadership those things in the path my
Miami. Christian brings, the kind of career took," Yelich said. Leyba receives 80-game
Yelich was dealt to the teammate he is and the Yelich acknowledged
Brewers in January 2018, selfless things he does in the Braun, who stood nearby, drug suspension
and he won the NL batting community, many of which for talking with him through
title and MVP award as the aren't visible because he the process of committing PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona learn of this news and hope
Brewers reached Game 7 really doesn't look for at- to the Brewers. His eyes Diamondbacks infielder that Domingo will take the
of the NL Championship tention," Brewers owner welled up with tears when Domingo Leyba was sus- time away from the game
Series. He added another Mark Attanasio said. he spoke about the people pended for 80 games on to reflect on his actions and
batting championship and The 28-year-old outfielder who helped him. Friday following a positive learn from his mistakes," the
finished second in the MVP had been guaranteed "There's a lot of people test under Major League Diamondbacks said in a
vote last year, when his $12.5 million this year, $14 that go into today," Yelich Baseball's drug program. statement.
season was cut short by a million in 2021 and a $1.25 said. "I have no doubt that Leyba tested positive for He is considered one of Ari-
broken kneecap on Sept. million buyout of a $16 mil- I wouldn't be here without the performance-enhanc- zona's top prospects and
10. The Brewers reached lion team option for 2022. their contributions and their ing substance Boldenone, was 4 for 16 with a home
the playoffs in consecutive Yelich's new agreement in- efforts. That's what makes an anabolic steroid. run during spring training
seasons for the first time cludes the same amounts today special.q
"We were disappointed to this year.q