Report Says Boggs Is Ready to Retire

Wade Boggs, who three months ago became the 23rd player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits, apparently is set to retire.

Boggs, a five-time American League batting champion, played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays the last two seasons after 11 seasons with the Boston Red Sox and five with the New York Yankees.

Devil Ray Manager Larry Rothschild, attending baseball’s general managers meetings at Dana Point, said Tuesday that a news conference to clarify the issue will be held Thursday at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Boggs, 41, is eligible for free agency and the St. Petersburg Times reported that Boggs probably will take an off-field position with the Devil Rays.

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Though the Angels received permission from the Yankees to interview Willie Randolph for their manager job, the third-base coach will not meet new General Manager Bill Stoneman this week, and it appears he is not in the running to replace Terry Collins.

As of Tuesday, no one from the Angels had contacted Randolph. Stoneman interviewed Cleveland minor league manager Joel Skinner and former Angel catcher Bob Boone on Monday, and former Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia and Angel coach Joe Maddon Tuesday.

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Rafael Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers won his third consecutive American League Gold Glove at first base despite playing only 28 games at the position this year.

Palmeiro was a designated hitter in 128 games.

Gold Gloves are voted on by major league managers and coaches before the end of the regular season.

Shawn Green, traded to the Dodgers on Monday, won his first Gold Glove for Toronto.

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Commissioner Bud Selig ruled that a phone call from Seattle General Manager Pat Gillick to the parents of first baseman John Olerud while Olerud was still under contract to the New York Mets was not tampering. Selig did determine that the call created “the appearance of tampering” and fined the Mariners $5,000. Olerud has filed for free agency.