NEW YORK (AP) - The players' association filed a grievance today
over Houston's release of Shawn Chacon (shuh-KOHN'). The union says the team's decision to terminate the 30-year-old pitcher's contract
was without just cause.
Chacon was suspended after shoving general manager Ed Wade to
the floor in the Astros' clubhouse before last Wednesday's game
against Texas. Wade says he had asked Chacon to come into manager
Cecil Cooper's office for a meeting. Chacon refused, and the
confrontation ensued.
Chacon, who was due to make 2 million dollars this year, cleared
waivers and was released yesterday.
The decision to terminate the contract means Chacon won't
collect $983,607 of that salary. He also lost the chance to make up
to 1 million dollars in performance bonuses based on innings.
Chacon was 2-and-3 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 starts this season. He
set a major league record for a starting pitcher with nine straight
no-decisions to open the season.


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