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Saturday, May 17, 2008

AP: White Sox fire 3 scouts following investigation

The Chicago White Sox fired director of player personnel David Wilder on Friday along with two other scouts in the club’s Latin American operation. Victor Mateo and Domingo Toribio also were terminated after a two-month investigation by Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations, the team said.

“It’s very disappointing. This is a tough day,” general manager Kenny Williams said Friday in San Francisco, where the White Sox opened a three-game interleague series against the Giants. “It’s not consistent with (owner) Jerry Reinsdorf, myself or what the White Sox organization stands for.”

Findings from baseball’s investigation have been turned over to federal authorities. The White Sox said the three were dismissed “for actions in Latin America that were violations of club policy and standards” but did not elaborate.

Williams said he could not comment further on what wrongdoing led to the firings… “As to the what and the why, I’m not at liberty to expound on that.”

”...turned over to federal authorities”? Sounds interesting…

NTNgod Posted: May 17, 2008 at 01:49 AM | 26 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, Chi White Sox

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1. Justin T contains indigenous nudity Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:13 AM (#2783877)

Ugueth Urbina is involved somehow.

2. NTNgod Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:19 AM (#2783886)

Supplying steroids to minors, perhaps?

It sounds like that this is about something that took place down in the Dominican Republic, though. That wouldn't be the feds' concern, would it?

3. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:25 AM (#2783891)

"Black Sox."

4. Justin T contains indigenous nudity Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:44 AM (#2783901)

5. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:57 AM (#2783905)

There is really only one criminal offense committed in a foreign country against foreign citizens that the fed's would look to prosecute: underage sexual tourism.

A couple years ago there was a case of a Giants scout who extorted sexual favors in return for professional contracts. A similar scenario would seem to fit the few facts that have been reported.

6. Justin T contains indigenous nudity Posted: May 17, 2008 at 03:01 AM (#2783908)

In that case, I'll reinstate my comment from #6, that I deemed inappropriate even if it seemed possible to likely.

These guys liked boys.

7. channeling my inner STEAGLES Posted: May 17, 2008 at 03:08 AM (#2783910)

in the book stealing lives, it was mentioned that chicago cub scouts would steal signing bonus money off the top from amateur free agents. this sounds a little more serious than that, but then again, embezzling isn't exactly small potatoes.

8. NTNgod Posted: May 17, 2008 at 03:16 AM (#2783915)

Chicago Tribune: (RR)

An international scout for another major-league team said two weeks ago that the Commissioner's office was interviewing the parents of several Latin players about the bonuses they received from MLB teams. Sox general manager Ken Williams, however, declined to comment on whether financial improprieties were part of the Sox's investigation involving Wilder and the two scouts.

But Williams admitted he was hurt over the firing of Wilder because of his longtime friendship and trust.

"On a professional level and personal level, this hurts," Williams said after a long pause. "But you will never see me, even though there were obviously some things that have drawn us to this day, you're not going to hear me say a disparaging word about any of the people who are involved in this, simply because we're going to maintain a level of professionalism."

The Sox had requested MLB's independent investigation of their Latin American scouting operations after internal questions were raised.
...
Once allegations surfaced about potential wrongdoing, Wilder was re-assigned to scout amateur players for next month's draft.

9. Jim Wisinski

Posted: May 17, 2008 at 03:23 AM (#2783917)

If they were stealing money or something of that ilk maybe the federal government is involved because of the multi-country aspect? That's all I can think of though I'm no lawyer anyway.

10. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: May 17, 2008 at 04:34 AM (#2783947)

I'm tired of these terrorists like Albert Belle and some guys I've never heard of trying to destroy my country.

11. JoeHova Posted: May 17, 2008 at 04:40 AM (#2783953)

"But you will never see me, even though there were obviously some things that have drawn us to this day, you're not going to hear me say a disparaging word about any of the people who are involved in this, simply because we're going to maintain a level of professionalism."

This must be a new policy.

12. 100 Years is Nothing Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:31 PM (#2784064)

They should ask Ozzie what he thinks!

13. Dan Szymborski

Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:44 PM (#2784070)

I wish the Chicago White Sox would be more blatant with the press release, for entertainment value. Seeing this would be awesome:

The Chicago White Sox organization stands behind the principle that strangling Panamian prostitutes after doing lines of blow off of their breasts is not consistent with the values of the Chicago White Sox Baseball Club or any of its subsidiaries. We seek to educate our employees, from all parts of the managerial team to temporary workers, that drug-fueled sex orgies that result in dead hookers is not acceptable under any circumstances.

14. RB in NYC (Now with New Running Goal!) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM (#2784072)

The Chicago White Sox organization stands behind the principle that strangling Panamian prostitutes after doing lines of blow off of their breasts is not consistent with the values of the Chicago White Sox or any of their subsidiaries.

Added Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, "We're not the Cubs, you know."

15. Swedish Chef Posted: May 17, 2008 at 02:58 PM (#2784083)

I bet they were caught reading "Moneyball".

16. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 03:09 PM (#2784088)

I bet they were caught reading "Moneyball".

you mean "Dinero Pelota"

17. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 03:30 PM (#2784098)

If it is theft of bonus money, maybe the Feds are going to try and get them for tax evasion?

Or maybe they were paying money to non-existent players, and then "cutting" them a few weeks later.

18. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: May 17, 2008 at 06:45 PM (#2784273)

I bet they were caught reading "Moneyball".

If only the White Sox could incorporate the tenets of Moneyball into their organization. Then they might be able to fleece some GM by getting an elite major league hitter for an A ball player.

Oh wait.

19. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: May 19, 2008 at 06:54 PM (#2786485)

The rumor mill has it that these three were being investigated for skimming signing bonuses.

20. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: May 19, 2008 at 06:59 PM (#2786492)

"But you will never see me, even though there were obviously some things that have drawn us to this day, you're not going to hear me say a disparaging word about any of the people who are involved in this, simply because we're going to maintain a level of professionalism."

This must be a new policy.

Beat me to it. This quote is fun coming from KW.

21. Mike Emeigh

Posted: May 19, 2008 at 07:07 PM (#2786505)

The rumor mill has it that these three were being investigated for skimming signing bonuses.

Yep. The investigation is limited to the White Sox, according to the various reports, but I would be hugely surprised if it were just the White Sox who were doing it.

This might give a push to the idea of a "world draft", which has been kicked around on a number of occasions and resisted pretty strongly by the big-money clubs.

-- MWE

22. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: May 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM (#2787421)

I will withhold judgment until I hear Jack Keefe's take.

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AP: White Sox fire 3 scouts following investigation

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