Baker to manage N.L. All-Star team

Mesa, Ariz. — Dusty Baker is going to have to find another time to go fishing.

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Baker would manage the National League at this year’s All-Star game, to be played July 15 in Baker’s new hometown, Chicago. It’s the first time he has managed the All-Star squad.

“It’s always an honor,” said Baker, who has been on the NL’s coaching staff three times. “If they didn’t pick me, I was going fishing. Since I’m not going fishing, maybe I’ll go fishing the day after or something.”

Baseball tradition calls for the managers of the previous season’s league champions to manage the All-Star teams. Baker guided the San Francisco Giants to the pennant last year, then left to manage the Chicago Cubs.

Minor leaguer Ozorede killed in car accident

Phoenix — Brewers minor-league pitcher Augustine Ozorede died last weekend in a car accident outside of his home in Ilorin, Nigeria.

The 18-year-old right-hander signed with the Brewers in May as a free agent. Ozorede and with catcher Gbenga Olayemi were signed the same day and became the first players the Brewers had signed from Nigeria.

“We are saddened by the loss of Augustine Ozorede,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Tuesday. “Our condolences go out to the Ozorede family.”

Top official expected to meet with Rose camp

New York — A top baseball official is likely to meet with Pete Rose’s business manager, and possibly the banned career hits leader, before the end of spring training.

The meeting, which has not yet been scheduled, will include Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer, and Rose manager Warren Greene, a high-ranking baseball official said Tuesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity. It has not been determined if Rose will attend.

The purpose of the meeting is to review where baseball stands on Rose’s application for reinstatement, which was filed in 1997 and appeared to be gaining momentum last fall. Baseball officials slowed the review again following reports that Rose was at a Las Vegas casino and sports book, and that the Internal Revenue Service placed a $151,689 lien on a home Rose owns, claiming he owes federal taxes from 1998.

Yanks renew Soriano, top $150 million

Fort Myers, Fla. — The New York Yankees became the first major-league team with a $150 million payroll when they renewed the contract of second baseman Alfonso Soriano at $800,000 Tuesday.

New York’s payroll is $150,360,993 for 24 players likely to be on the opening-day roster plus pitcher Jon Lieber, who will be on the disabled list.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made the announcement after meeting with Soriano following New York’s 7-4 win over the Boston Red Sox Tuesday. Soriano made $630,000 last season.

Mets bring baseball back to Brooklyn

New York — It’s not Ebbets Field, and there’s no Pee Wee or Jackie.

But the borough of Brooklyn, bereft of major league baseball since the Dodgers moved to California in 1957, will get a one-day taste of the big leagues when the New York Mets visit for a March 30 workout.

The Mets will stage a two-hour workout at KeySpan Park in Coney Island on the eve of their season opener against the Chicago Cubs.

Rangers sign Benoit

Surprise, Ariz. — Right-hander Joaquin Benoit agreed to terms Tuesday on a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. With Benoit’s signing, the Rangers have every player on their 40-man roster under contract.