Digital Vision » Basketball

Twins’ first major off-season move

Pyro — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:05:46 +0000

J.J. Hardy, the former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop and the newest Minnesota Twin, sounded like he had been rescued after months at sea.

This morning, the Twins traded the spirited but clueless outfielder Carlos Gomez (hold your applause) for Hardy, whose poor hitting landed him in the minors last Aug. 12 after back-to-back 20-homer seasons. Milwaukee recalled Hardy from Class AAA Nashville on Sept. 1, but long before that Hardy figured he was a goner. Trade rumors started in May, and the Brewers appeared committed to top prospect Alcides Escobar as the shortstop instead of Hardy, who hit a career-worst .229.

“I was happy when (the season) ended,” Hardy said in a noontime conference call. “I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

Hall of Famer Bing elected to full term as Detroit mayor

Pyro — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:10:48 +0000

Professional basketball Hall of Famer Dave Bing has been re-elected Detroit mayor.

The 65-year-old Democrat defeated accountant Tom Barrow in Tuesday’s nonpartisan general election.

Bing’s NBA career lasted 12 seasons, nine with the Detroit Pistons.

As mayor, he has laid off workers and demanded a 10 percent wage cut to help address the city’s ongoing budget deficit.

It was the fourth time Detroit voters cast ballots this year for mayor.

Bing received the most votes in a February primary and defeated incumbent Ken Cockrel Jr. in a May runoff to complete Kwame Kilpatrick’s second term. Kilpatrick resigned as part of pleas in two criminal cases.

Bing also received the most votes in the August primary.