Covering the bases

Braves announcer Van Wieren retires

Pete Van Wieren grew up wanting to be the radio announcer for his hometown Rochester Red Wings. Instead, he became one of the voices for a bold new experiment: Ted Turner's superstation.

With a calm, soothing delivery and far-reaching knowledge of a game he always researched diligently, Van Wieren spent 33 years in the broadcast booth for the Atlanta Braves, many of them when the team was beamed out across the country on TBS.

The announcer known as "The Professor" retired Tuesday at age 64, saying he wanted to step aside while he was still healthy enough to enjoy life beyond the baseball park.

"It was a little strange pulling into the parking lot today," Van Wieren conceded during a farewell news conference at Turner Field. "I really did enjoy it, but I'm looking forward to not being tied in to that schedule anymore."

He made the announcement just 2 1/2 months after the death of his longtime broadcast partner, Skip Caray, who had been in poor health for several seasons but stayed with the team right to the end.

"Losing Skip was certainly a tough thing, but that didn't affect my decision," said Van Wieren, who was already leaning toward retirement in the spring. "If anything, it reinforced my decision. I didn't want to keep working until I couldn't do it anymore."

Cards give up on Mulder

The St. Louis Cardinals intend to cut ties with often-injured left-hander Mark Mulder, paying a $1.5 million buyout rather than exercising an $11 million option on his contract.

General manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday he sent a letter to Mulder's agent, Gregg Clifton, informing him of the franchise's intention. The Cardinals had until Nov. 15 to notify Mulder.

Mulder, 31, is rehabbing from a pair of shoulder operations and was limited to 1 2/3 innings last season after initial optimistic forecasts he could join the rotation as early as May. He made $13 million the last two seasons while totaling six appearances and four starts covering 12 2/3 innings.

Mulder had two rehab assignments last season, was activated as a reliever and made one start in July that lasted only 16 pitches. He made three starts in September 2007, going 0-3 with a 12.27 ERA before undergoing a second shoulder surgery.

World Series umpires set

Tim Welke was appointed umpire crew chief for the World Series, and he will be joined by Tim Tschida, Jeff Kellogg, Tom Hallion, Kerwin Danley and Fieldin Culbreth.

Welke worked the World Series in 1996, 2000 and 2003, joined in the latter two years by Kellogg. Tschida umpired at the World Series in 1998 and 2002. All six worked during the first round of the playoffs.

Bowden has cancer surgery

Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden recently had surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his forehead.

The skin cancer was discovered in June, but the 47-year-old Bowden waited until the Nationals' season ended to have the operation.

"In retrospect, I would advise anybody to get it done as soon as possible. Because that type of cancer can grow extremely fast," Bowden told The Washington Post, which first reported the news Tuesday.

Cubs, Yankees discuss opener

The Chicago Cubs might play the unofficial opener at the new Yankee Stadium.

The Cubs and Yankees are talking about playing an exhibition game or games the weekend before most teams open the regular season, on Monday, April 6. While the Cubs are the Yankees' first choice, the teams are still negotiating.

The official opener of the $1.6 billion ballpark is April 16 against Cleveland.

SHORT HOPS: Tampa Bay senior advisor Don Zimmer, in his 60th baseball season and 10th World Series, says the Rays have produced his most unexpected Series trip.

"I've got calls from all over the country. Hearing from everybody. ... How can this happen? I said one thing, 'I didn't get any hits. It's been crazy,"' Zimmer said during Tuesday's workout.