Pirates Sign Hayes to Play Third Base

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed third baseman Charlie Hayes to a one-year contract Thursday with an option for the 1997 season.

Hayes, 30, spent the 1995 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and batted .276 with 11 home runs and 85 runs batted in. He had his best season in 1993, batting .305 for the Colorado Rockies with 25 home runs, 98 RBIs and a league-leading 45 doubles.

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As expected, the New York Yankees acquired outfielder Tim Raines from the Chicago White Sox for future considerations.

The Yankees stole only 50 bases last season, last in the American League. Raines has 777 steals, fourth on the all-time list.

“He’ll have a green light 99.9% of the time,” Manager Joe Torre said.

Raines will make $2.1 million in 1996 and $1.8 million in 1997.

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The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent reliever Doug Jones. Jones, 38, saved 22 games in 25 opportunities for Baltimore last season. He lost his spot there when the Orioles signed ex-Cub closer Randy Myers. Jones, a five-time all-star, has 239 saves. . . . Oscar Judd, who pitched in the majors for eight years and in 1943 became the first Canadian to make the American League all-star team, died Wednesday at 87. . . . The Licey Tigers of the Dominican League have asked acting Commissioner Bud Selig to allow Pascual Perez to play for the winter league team. Perez, 38, was banished from baseball in 1992 after he tested positive for cocaine use a third time.

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Horse Racing

A strike by about 230 clerks and racing officials at Philadelphia Park forced the track to cancel Thursday’s racing card and curtailed simulcasting operations.

No agreement had been reached as of Thursday night in the dispute over a management demand for wage cuts and elimination of medical benefits, said Robert Liguori, business manager for Sports Arena Employees, Local 137.

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Miscellany

Civil lawsuits were filed in Beverly Hills on behalf of Compton Centennial High football players Vincent Brooks and Kumasi Simmons, who were involved in altercations during a game against Beverly Hills on Oct. 20. Brooks’ suit is against the Compton Unified School District, the California Interscholastic Federation and referee Ken Smotrys. Simmons’ suit is against the city of Beverly Hills. . . . High school basketball player Greg McDowell, 18, collapsed while resting on the bench during a game in Jackson, Miss., and died at the hospital. . . . Boxing trainer Joey Fariello, who earlier this month sent Buster Mathis Jr. in against Mike Tyson, died after suffering a stroke. He was 58. . . . Freshman guard Cesar Ibarra died shortly after a collision with another player during a high school basketball game in San Antonio, but an initial autopsy indicated the collision was not to blame. . . . Ohio State will get an estimated $9.25 million to outfit more than 800 athletes and coaches in Nike apparel and shoes the next five years. . . . Sweden beat Germany, 6-2, in the World Junior Hockey Championship at Boston. Finland defeated Ukraine, 4-1. . . . The Beverly Hills Gilbert Table Tennis tournament, drawing 16 of the world’s best players, will be held Jan. 6-7 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.