NEW YORK (AP) The New York Yankees asked the commissioner's office to award them a forfeit over Tampa Bay after the Devil Rays failed to arrive in time for the scheduled start Monday because of travel problems in Florida due to Hurricane Frances.
The doubleheader was changed to a single game and the start time, pushed back Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., was reset for 7 p.m. The Devil Rays, who reported to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 8 a.m., left the ballpark at 1:05 p.m., departed Tampa International Airport at 2:40 p.m., arrived at LaGuardia Airport at 5:25 p.m. and pulled up to Yankee Stadium in two buses at 6:05 p.m.
''The rule states that if your team is here and ready to play, and the other team isn't here and not ready to play, there should be a forfeit, and we believe there should be a forfeit,'' Yankees president Randy Levine said.
''There are no plans to reschedule any games until this issue is worked out,'' he said.
Levine said the commissioner's office had been told by the Devil Rays that Tampa Bay would head to New York late Friday or Saturday. Levine called for an investigation by baseball, and said that if the facts as the Yankees understood them were true, the game should be forfeited. Alternatively, Levine said the game should be rescheduled for Oct. 4 the day after the regular season is scheduled to end if it's necessary to decide a postseason race.
''Get everything down in print as you will. I have no comment.'' Tampa Bay owner Vince Naimoli said.
A forfeit didn't appear to be likely.
''Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field,'' commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
Tampa Bay's home games against Detroit on Saturday and Sunday were postponed, and the Tigers returned home after Friday night's games.
''There were plenty of opportunities to get out of Tampa on Saturday. The airports were open until 3 or 4 o'clock.'' Levine said.
Devil Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said the Devil Rays had never intended to leave before Monday.
''The only thing that entered our mind was being with our families during the hurricane,'' he said.
The Yankee Stadium gates opened at 11 a.m., and about 1,000 fans were in the stands on the sunny afternoon when an announcement was made at 12:45 p.m. that the doubleheader would not start on time.
''We had planned on being here all day anyway,'' Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. ''I don't see how we could play two games today now.''
Ray Zincone, a 29-year-old from West Warwick, R.I., drove down to New York on Monday morning with his wife, Sheila, and 7-year-old son, Raymond.
''I would like to stay if there's a chance to play,'' he said.
The Yankees reported to Yankee Stadium at noon for the doubleheader.
''Let's get a grill,'' Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina said. ''Hot dogs and burgers on the field.''
The doubleheader was changed to a single game and the start time, pushed back Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., was reset for 7 p.m. The Devil Rays, who reported to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at 8 a.m., left the ballpark at 1:05 p.m., departed Tampa International Airport at 2:40 p.m., arrived at LaGuardia Airport at 5:25 p.m. and pulled up to Yankee Stadium in two buses at 6:05 p.m.
''The rule states that if your team is here and ready to play, and the other team isn't here and not ready to play, there should be a forfeit, and we believe there should be a forfeit,'' Yankees president Randy Levine said.
''There are no plans to reschedule any games until this issue is worked out,'' he said.
Levine said the commissioner's office had been told by the Devil Rays that Tampa Bay would head to New York late Friday or Saturday. Levine called for an investigation by baseball, and said that if the facts as the Yankees understood them were true, the game should be forfeited. Alternatively, Levine said the game should be rescheduled for Oct. 4 the day after the regular season is scheduled to end if it's necessary to decide a postseason race.
''Get everything down in print as you will. I have no comment.'' Tampa Bay owner Vince Naimoli said.
A forfeit didn't appear to be likely.
''Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field,'' commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
Tampa Bay's home games against Detroit on Saturday and Sunday were postponed, and the Tigers returned home after Friday night's games.
''There were plenty of opportunities to get out of Tampa on Saturday. The airports were open until 3 or 4 o'clock.'' Levine said.
Devil Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said the Devil Rays had never intended to leave before Monday.
''The only thing that entered our mind was being with our families during the hurricane,'' he said.
The Yankee Stadium gates opened at 11 a.m., and about 1,000 fans were in the stands on the sunny afternoon when an announcement was made at 12:45 p.m. that the doubleheader would not start on time.
''We had planned on being here all day anyway,'' Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. ''I don't see how we could play two games today now.''
Ray Zincone, a 29-year-old from West Warwick, R.I., drove down to New York on Monday morning with his wife, Sheila, and 7-year-old son, Raymond.
''I would like to stay if there's a chance to play,'' he said.
The Yankees reported to Yankee Stadium at noon for the doubleheader.
''Let's get a grill,'' Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina said. ''Hot dogs and burgers on the field.''
too much outrage about a forfeit, i would imagine.....they are gonna get one game in today, and i bet they play a doubleheader tomorrow or wednesday.....
just a sampling of the posters here showed what opinions were out there about this, and the Yankees would look even worse than "the evil empire" is.....
just a sampling of the posters here showed what opinions were out there about this, and the Yankees would look even worse than "the evil empire" is.....
I cant believe the Yankees would have the balls to ask for a forfeit. I think they are hearing the footsteps of the Red Sox and this year realize they dont have the team to stop Boston from over taking them. So lets try to get a free win without having to use our messed up starting pitching led by Mr. Knucklehead!!!
SHAMEFUL, that with all the troubles in Florida these million or should I say billion $$$ Yankees organization would try to get a forfeit win. GOD I HATE THE F'ING YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHAMEFUL, that with all the troubles in Florida these million or should I say billion $$$ Yankees organization would try to get a forfeit win. GOD I HATE THE F'ING YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!
