Shamsky Denies Being "Switch-Hitter" With VD

According to the New York Post, the ex-wife of Art Shamsky claims the Mets legend gave her a sexually transmitted disease after repeatedly cheating on her with both men and women.

In a sordid lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Kim Shamsky says that during their 13-year marriage the famed outfielder and first baseman "engaged in acts of adultery with both men and women," without her knowledge. His romps included "acts of 'unprotected' sexual and deviate sexual intercourse," according to the suit.

The court papers state that Kim, suspecting her hubby was fooling around, submitted to a number of medical tests. After one examination, she was informed by her doctor she had contracted the human papilloma virus (HPV). Medical experts say HPV can cause problems such as genital warts and cervical cancer.

The suit claims Shamsky continued to have sex with her although he "knew that an individual or individuals with whom he had engaged in sexual relations had contracted HPV or that he had contracted HPV."

Kim, who says she suffered "serious physiological and emotional injury," is asking for $11 million in damages.

Art's lawyer, Pat Crispo, dismissed the entire lawsuit as "frivolous" and insisted Shamsky is free of sexual disease. "This is the act of a very angry ex-wife who has maligned him in the press," Crispo told Page Six. "He will be vindicated in the courts."

Shamsky, 67, was with the Mets from 1968 to 1971 and batted .300 during the team's 1969 world championship season. He also played with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Oakland A's, and did play-by-play and color commentary for the Mets and hosted a talk show on WFAN. Last year, Shamsky was named manager of the Modi'in Miracle of the Israel Baseball League. The Shamskys, who married in 1994, were divorced last May.

Now, the ex-Met is fighting back the claims and denies that he infected his ex-wife with VD. Shamsky says if his wife is infected with vd, she didn’t get it from him. Shamsky also “denies doing any switch-hitting” and is disease free.

Looks like things are just starting to heat up between the ex-couple.

Jeff Kent Turns Back To Clark Kent

After 17 years in the big leagues, Jeff Kent is calling it quits on major league baseball. Jeff's decision to leave the game is due to him missing out on his kids childhood, traveling from town to town and the "baggage" that goes along with it.
Jeff's teary-eyed farewell is in stark contrast to the gruff public demeanor Kent maintained for years.
"I don't get how you can go up to an opposing starting pitcher, give him a hug and say, `How you doing?' and then go out there and try to hit a gapper," Kent said. "I tried to separate the emotions from the game.
"If you allow yourself as a player to get emotionally involved in every little thing that happens, I don't think you can stay as consistent as you ought to in this game. I wanted other people to perceive me as a guy who was level emotionally."
But that facade came undone during a farewell news conference at Dodger Stadium, especially when Kent looked over at his wife, Dana, daughter Lauren, and three young sons. His 12-year-old daughter wiped her eyes at times.
"We're glad to see him home," Dana Kent said.
At 40, Kent realized his future as a middle infielder was in jeopardy. The Dodgers reportedly offered him another year but it was not a factor in his decision.
Kent leaves as the career home run leader among second basemen with 351 — 74 more than Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. A five-time All-Star and the 2000 NL MVP, Kent made his only World Series appearance with San Francisco in 2002, when the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in seven games.
"Being a Game 7 loser is the worst feeling that I've ever had as an athlete, but the participation in those games and being able to play alongside my teammates have put to peace any resentment of not being a World Series winner," he said. "I'm OK with it."
Kent had a .290 career batting average with 377 homers, 1,518 RBIs and a .500 slugging percentage. He was drafted by Toronto in 1989 and also played for the New York Mets, Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston.
"Half of my playing career I was able to get on a team and then make the playoffs, and what a special feeling that is to be part of," he said. "The reasons why I was able to do such things is because of my teammates."
Kent's famous intensity led to clashes with teammates, including Barry Bonds when they played with the Giants from 1997-2002, and the two once scuffled in the dugout for all to see. In 2005, Kent tangled with then-Dodgers teammate Milton Bradley, who claimed Kent couldn't deal with black players.
"Those two guys were teammates of mine and we won," Kent said. "I had run-ins with other teammates. Was it me having a run-in with those guys or them having a run-in with me? It doesn't matter, we were all teammates."
Kent criticized players who used performance-enhancing drugs while endorsing improved testing.
"The integrity of the game has been jeopardized for so many years and I'm just so embarrassed about the steroid era," he said.
Kent thinks the sport has made great strides against steroids.
"Baseball has created a drug policy that is on the right path, that has brought the game to a better level playing field than it ever was," he said.
Kent said he applied a motto to his career that his police officer father taught him: If you're going to do a job, do it right.
Jeff had some tips for kids who have dreams of playing in the big league one day. You don't have to be the biggest guy, or the fastest guy or the smartest guy to make it!
Kent hit .253 during the first half of last season, improved to .353 in August, then injured his knee on Aug. 29 and had surgery four days later. He returned to make the postseason roster, but was relegated to a bench role. He went a combined 0-for-9 with four strikeouts during the two playoff series and became a free agent in November.
He said he walks away with no regrets.
"I believe I've played this game right and I believe I'm leaving this game right," he said.

Giambi Signs And Heads To The Left Coast

Jason Giambi, the former New York Yankee and free agent, has signed a deal with the Oakland Athletics for the 2009 season. Jason will be heading back to the Left coast, where he started his career with the A's.
Giambi came up with the A's in 1995 and quickly became a fan favorite and a true MLB star, winning the 2000 American League MVP award before signing a seven-year, $120 million deal with the New York Yankees following the 2001 season.
The Yankees declined to pick up his $22 million option for 2009. Now, as Giambi celebrates his 38th birthday Thursday, the A's hope he has enough left in his bat to help them return to contention in the American League West.
Giambi's Giambi's 2009 salary will be $3.5 million, with the $5 million option for next season carrying a $1 million buyout. The deal also includes a 2010 club option.
The deal is said to be a one-year deal worth $4 million, with a $6.5 million club option for 2010 and a $1.25 million buyout.
Giambi will mostly see time as the DH and at first base. His signing is a bargain the A's and it will help the A's in the hitting challenged AL West.
The money Giambi agreed too reflects the economy and the realization by both players and MLB front offices, that "it is what it is".
There are rumors that the A's ain't done dealing. With free agents Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson on their radar, they could really become the top hitting team out West.

Pettitt Refuses Yanks But The Cash Man Visits

Various sources are reporting that Andy Petitt has refused the New York Yankees offer of $10MM to play for the Yankees in 2009. His annual salary in 2007 and 2008 was $16MM.
However, the New York Daily News is reporting that Brian Cashman, the New York Yankees General Manager, is in contact with Andy to try to hammer out a deal.
There is no denying that Andy wants to play with the Yankees, and the Yankees really want Andy. They have both been around the Yankees when they won the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Chances are good that a deal can be reached in the next few days. If not, expect Andy to retire from the game and head back home to Texas.
Andy Pettit made his major league debut on April 29, 1995, with the New York Yankees, with whom he spent 9 seasons in the starting rotation. He has a lifetime record of 215 wins and 127 losses. His career earned run average is 3.89 and he has 2,002 MLB lifetime strikeouts.
He is a 2 time All Star (1996 and 2001) and has won 4 World Series Championships with the Yankees. He was also the 2001 ALCS MVP.