Oriole announcer barney dies at 72

The public-address microphone remained off for the entire game Tuesday, a fitting reminder that baseball in Baltimore will never sound the same without Rex Barney. Barney, who pitched a

no-hitter for the 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers and later gained fame as the Orioles’ longtime public-address announcer, was found dead at his home earlier in the day of undetermined causes. He was

72. The Orioles honored Barney by playing without benefit of a PA announcer, and flags were at half-staff at Camden Yards. * Bret Saberhagen gave up seven hits and one run in six innings in

his first triple-A pitching assignment since beginning his rehabilitation, the latest step as he works toward a return to the majors with the Boston Red Sox. Meanwhile, Chris Bosio, who has

not pitched since September, has signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and also soon will throw for triple-A Pawtucket. . . . Baltimore’s Roberto Alomar, eligible to come off the

disabled list today, will instead head back to the team’s minor-league base in Sarasota, Fla., to continue to rehabilitate a pulled right groin. . . . The Red Sox placed outfielder Shane

Mack on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 7 and called up outfielder Jose Malave from Pawtucket. Mack has a left-quadriceps strain. Back from the minors, Hideki Irabu will start for the

New York Yankees tonight against the Kansas City Royals. That pushes Dwight Gooden’s next scheduled start back to Friday against Texas and returns Kenny Rogers and his ailing back to the

bullpen. . . . Tim Raines, sidelined since early June because of a strained left hamstring, was activated by the Yankees, and Pete Incaviglia was designated for assignment. MORE TO READ