Jones and Justice in a War of Words

Atlanta Brave third baseman Chipper Jones is upset over what he calls racially motivated criticism from former teammate David Justice.

Jones, who acknowledged publicly in 1998 that he had fathered a child out of wedlock, signed a six-year, $90-million contract extension in August.

Justice, now with the New York Yankees three years after the Braves traded him away, told Atlanta radio station WQXI-AM that the Braves “look the opposite way on certain guys.�

“If I had had a personal situation the way Chipper had it, you think they would have signed me to a $90-million contract?� Justice said Monday. “You must be crazy.�

Jones suggested Tuesday that Justice was referring to race.

“I know he would never say this publicly, but I’m a white guy,� Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I honestly believe that’s what spurred all the talk. But to use my situation like that, I don’t think that’s right.�

Jones called Justice a longtime friend. He said there are “a lot of better reasons� why Atlanta did not offer Justice a long-term deal, including his frequent injuries.

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Dodger outfielders Shawn Green and Gary Sheffield and Angel third baseman Troy Glaus and catcher Bengie Molina are among those who will play in an all-star series next month in Japan.

Eight games are scheduled for Nov. 3-12 in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka and Nagoya.

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Lawyers for Seattle Mariner reliever Jose Mesa asked a judge in Cleveland to dismiss a weapons charge, arguing Ohio law unfairly prevents people from carrying a concealed weapon for defensive purposes.

In 1996, police stopped Mesa’s car and found a gun in an unlocked compartment. Mesa, then with the Cleveland Indians, was stopped because he was wanted on sex-abuse charges. A jury later acquitted Mesa of rape, gross sexual imposition and theft charges.

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The Texas Rangers released outfielder Pedro Valdes so he can try to sign with a team in Japan.