Mike Leach Explains Firing in New Book (AP)
Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach on Tuesday offered up fresh details on what he says was happening behind the scenes around the time he was fired.
In excerpts from his book, “Swing Your Sword,” Leach said emails “suggest” there was never a university investigation into allegations he mistreated a player, receiver Adam James, with a concussion but rather “an effort to sell me down the river.” He also claims a public relations firm, Spaeth Communications, was used by the university to “smear” Leach’s name.
“They knew the facts weren’t on their side so they used Spaeth to spread misinformation and try to turn public opinion,” an excerpt says.
The university fired Leach in December 2009 amid claims that he mistreated James, son of Craig James, an ESPN analyst. Leach has long denied that and said he believes an $800,000 bonus he was due was the reason he was fired.
Leach sued the school for wrongful termination but a Texas appeals court allowed his trial to go forward for only non-monetary damages.
Leach, who has lived in Key West, Fla., since shortly after his firing and was passed up for the job Maryland early this year, is awaiting word on whether the Texas Supreme Court will review the appellate court’s ruling. If the high court reverses the appeals court and rules that Texas Tech waived sovereign immunity protection by its conduct, Leach’s suit could go forward for monetary damages.
Texas Tech’s response to Leach’s petition for a high court review is due Wednesday. Leach has filed a separate libel suit accusing ESPN and Spaeth of slander.
Gus Johnson will be happy; Jacob Pullen has found a home in professional basketball (AP)
Former Kansas State guard Jacob Pullen has signed a contract to play for Pallacanestro Biella of the Italian League.
The school announced the move Tuesday, less than two weeks after the NBA lockout began.
Pullen is Kansas State’s all-time leading scorer with 2,132 points, fourth-best in Big 12 history. He averaged 20.2 points last season in leading the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament for the third time in his four years at the school.
The Italian League team, also known as Angelico Biella, posted an 11-19 record in Series A. The current roster includes Aubrey Coleman (Houston), Edgar Sosa (Louisville), Marc Salyers (Samford) and A.J. Slaughter (Western Kentucky).
Brewers Are in the News Again, as former top prospect Odorizzi shines in Double-A (milb.com)
He allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings in his second start for Northwest Arkansas, but the Naturals fell to Corpus Christi, 7-3After winning in his Double-A debut, Odorizzi struck out four and walked one in his first quality start with his new team.
The 21-year-old right-hander’s night did not start out well as he allowed a leadoff homer to Jonathan Villar in the first. But Odorizzi quickly got over the hiccup.
“Anyone that’s played at Corpus Christi knows how the wind goes out to left,” Odorizzi said. “I thought it was a fly ball and it just kept going. I just thought I’d start over, reset. I went back to work and forgot about it, it happens.”
He went on to retire 14 of the next 16 batters he faced, walking only J.D. Martinez in the first and yielding a leadoff single to Jacob Goebbert in the fourth.
“I was throwing the ball pretty well, and the defense made plays behind me,” Odorizzi said. “We got through those innings pretty quickly.”
He gave up his final two runs in the sixth, when he surrendered back-to-back RBI doubles to Jimmy Paredes and Goebbert. He then retired the final five batters he faced, not allowing the ball to leave the infield.
“I was throwing a lot of strikes, and the curveball was doing pretty well,” Odorizzi said. “I felt like I could spot pretty well with the fastball. It was all there working tonight.”
Dealt to the Royals in the December trade that sent Zack Greinke to Milwaukee, the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 Draft posted a 2.87 ERA in 15 starts for Class A Advanced Wilmington.
“I think I’ve adjusted well, it’s just going to make me better,” Odorizzi said. “You’ve got to be more precise, more consistent at this level. It’s only the first two games — I still have half the season to go.”
Likely to stay in Northwest Arkansas for the rest of the season, Odorizzi’s objective is to help the Naturals repeat as Texas League champions.
“My goal is just to make the playoffs,” he said. “I want to be here and win the second half, hopefully repeat in the championship. I just want to help the team win, that’s my goal.”
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