HOUSTON (AP) - Embattled pitcher Shawn Chacon (chuh-KOHN')
cleared waivers today and has been released by the Houston Astros.
The release came just days after Chacon's physical altercation
with general manager Ed Wade in the clubhouse in Houston.
Players association attorney Michael Weiner (WEE'-ner) says the
union will file a grievance claiming the Astros improperly
terminated the deal.
Weiner says Chacon is owed the remaining nearly $984,000 of his
two million dollar salary this year.
The 30-year-old pitcher was suspended after shoving Wade to the
floor before the Astros played the Texas Rangers last Wednesday.
Wade says he asked Chacon to go into manager Cecil Cooper's
office for a meeting. Chacon refused -- and the confrontation
ensued.
Chacon's agent didn't immediately comment.
Chacon was 2-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 starts this season.
......
The Astros say Chacon violated a provision in the uniform player
contract that states the player may be terminated if he shall:
-- "fail, refuse, or neglect to conform his personal conduct to
the standards of good citizenship and good sportsmanship or to keep
himself in first-class physical condition or to obey to the club's
training rules."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)