Baseball notebook

Book thrown at McGwire

Brother disputes ex-slugger’s story

Associated Press / February 25, 2010

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Jay McGwire heard big brother Mark McGwire say last month he only took steroids to heal, and not to get stronger. That doesn’t match Jay’s recollection.

“Mark knew that he was going to get the strength and endurance and size. I know that the main motive to justify taking steroids was healing,’’ Jay McGwire said in an interview with the Associated Press. “I know that for a fact. But in the long run he knew the strength and the size and endurance will increase. I don’t know why he’s coming across that it was all healing.’’

Estranged from his brother for eight years because of a family dispute, Jay McGwire has gone public in “Mark and Me: Mark McGwire and the Truth Behind Baseball’s Worst-Kept Secret,’’ which is scheduled for publication Monday.

When he finally admitted last month that he used steroids, Mark McGwire said it was only for healing. His brother said that was the initial purpose but it’s obvious the slugger also gained strength.

Jay McGwire says in the book he persuaded his brother to start using steroids regularly in 1994 and set him up with a supplier. He says Mark regularly used an array of drugs that included Deca-Durabolin, human growth hormone, Dianabol, Winstrol, and Primobolan in addition to androstenedione, a steroid precursor that wasn’t banned by baseball until 2004, when it became a controlled substance.

Looking ahead

Adrian Gonzalez said he sacrificed dollars for security the last time he signed with the Padres, and that won’t be the case when his next contract comes up.

Gonzalez has one year remaining on his current deal with a team option for the 2011 season. He says he’s looking for “value’’ when it’s time to talk contract again.

The slugger hit .277 with 40 homers and 99 RBIs in 160 games last season. He has 130 home runs in four seasons with the Padres despite playing his home games at spacious Petco Park.

“This next contract is going to be the one where I look for what I deserve,’’ Gonzalez said. “I’m going to let my agent worry about those negotiations, but in talking to my agent, it’s going to be about where my value is. If they want to keep me around, they’ll find a way to keep me around. There hasn’t been any talks about anything other than just go out and play, which I told them I’m going to do.’’

In April 2007, Gonzalez signed a $9.5 million, four-year deal. The 2011 club option is for $5.5 million.

Happy to be here

Derek Jeter reiterated what every Yankees fan wanted to hear: He hopes to play in pinstripes forever. He just doesn’t want to spend time talking about it.

“I’ve said from Day One, this is the only organization I’ve ever wanted to play for, and that’s still true today,’’ Jeter said.

“I was a Yankees fan growing up. This is where I want to be. I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else, and hopefully I don’t have to.’’

The 35-year-old Jeter is entering the final season of a 10-year, $189 million deal. The All-Star shortstop said he doesn’t have a set number of years in mind that he’d like to continue playing and steered around a question about whether he has a desire to be the Yankees’ highest-paid player.

He said this will be the final time he speaks about his contract status.

Jeter hit .334 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs in 2009, leading New York to its first World Series championship in nine years.

“To be honest with you, I never put limitations on how long I can play . . . I want to play as long as I can, as long as I’m having fun, as long as I can be productive,’’ Jeter said. “This organization prides itself on winning and putting a competitive team on the field. As long as I can help out, that’s as long as I want to play.’’

Grab a glove

Vladimir Guerrero will do more than be the designated hitter for the Rangers this season. Manager Ron Washington says he plans to use the slugger in right field from time to time because “that’s what he wants to do. We want to keep him happy. If he’s happy, I’m ecstatic.’’ The 35-year-old Guerrero comes to Texas after a six-year stint with the Angels, for whom he batted .319 and hit 173 home runs. “He still has a presence,’’ Washington said. “He still has bat speed and he still is a tremendous hitter that creates fear. When pitchers fear you, they make mistakes. He’s a force to be reckoned with.’’ Guerrero signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2011. In other Rangers news, center fielder Josh Hamilton left morning workouts after bruising his left shoulder. No MRI is scheduled and he is listed as day-to-day . . . Former World Series MVP Livan Hernandez agreed to a minor league contract with the Nationals. If added to the 40-man roster, the righthander would get a $900,000, one-year contract and the chance to earn $1.25 million in performance bonuses . . . Veteran catcher Rod Barajas joined the Mets, finalizing a $500,000, one-year contract. The Mets designated lefthander Arturo Lopez for assignment . . . The Indians officially announced the signing of Russell Branyan to a one-year, $2 million deal, with a $5 million mutual option for 2011.