Nolan Ryan lobbies for auction of Texas Rangers

Baseball Betting Lines

07/21/2010 -

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -Nolan Ryan is urging a bankruptcy judge to auction off the Texas Rangers on Aug. 4 as planned, saying a delay could hurt the team and maybe even cost them slugger Josh Hamilton.

The Hall of Fame pitcher testified Wednesday in his capacity as Rangers team president. He and Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg have the endorsement of Major League Baseball to buy the team, but the sale has wound up in a contentious bankruptcy proceeding.

Creditors and even the court-appointed restructuring officer want a delay so other bidders can line up financing.

Ryan says the auction should be held as planned to avoid distractions as the Rangers make a run for the American League West title. He also worries about having financing in order for next season and told the judge he was specifically worried about keeping Hamilton.

Through Tuesday, Hamilton was leading the majors with a .357 batting average.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Wwwbullysports Baseball Betting News

<< NL Central: All eyes now on Oswalt
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With a 38-56 record and a 14-game deficit to make up in the National League Central standings, it's safe to say the Houston Astros aren't going anywhere this season. But will Roy Oswalt? With the Seattle Mariners having sh

<< Sabres sign Kaleta, avoid arbitration
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to terms with winger Patrick Kaleta on a two-year contract. Kaleta had been scheduled for an arbitration hearing later this month. The 24-year-old scored a career-high

<< Blues re-sign Perron
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward David Perron to a two-year contract. The 22-year-old netted a career-high 20 goals last season and added 27 assists while playing in all 82 games. Duri

<< Mets extend partnership with Triple-A Buffalo through 2012
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons announced a two-year extension of their player development partnership through the 2012 season. The Bisons began their affiliation with the Mets in 2009 a

<< Sixers sign C Battie
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia 76ers added some depth to the front court by signing veteran center Tony Battie on Wednesday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. "We see Tony Battie as a player who can come in

76ers sign free agent Battie >>
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The Philadelphia 76ers have signed free-agent center Tony Battie.Team president Ed Stafanski said Wednesday that the 76ers want Battie to provide frontcourt depth and a ``veteran presence'' for younger players.Terms of his contrac

Warriors sign undrafted free agent Jeremy Lin >>
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -The Golden State Warriors have signed undrafted free agent guard Jeremy Lin.The team announced the deal with the former Harvard star and Bay Area native on Wednesday.The 21-year-old Lin averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4

Spurs officially re-sign F Jefferson >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs officially re-signed Richard Jefferson on Wednesday, reportedly to a contract at least three-years in length according to the San Antonio Express-News. Jefferson opted out of the f

Reds option Owings, recall Fisher >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds optioned Micah Owings to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and recalled pitcher Carlos Fisher from the same club. Owings, in his second season with the Reds, is 3-2 with a 5.40 earn

Tigers bring up Sizemore >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers recalled infielder Scott Sizemore from Triple-A Toledo and optioned pitcher Casey Fien to the Mud Hens. Sizemore was batting .329 with six homers, 13 doubles and 19 RBI in 41 games with

El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.