Chicago Sun-Times: Gaming site deletes Jackson's name

Reggie Jackson sold his name to a Web site offering casino games, but it also showed up on a second one that features gambling on sports, including baseball.

Jackson's lawyers had approved the use of his name for the first site, but said Thursday they had no knowledge that it was being used to point to the sports gambling site as well.

Major League Baseball is investigating Jackson's involvement with Transworld Network SA WorldNet Casinos Inc., located in San Jose, Costa Rica, which operates the sites.

The first site-reggiejacksoncasino.com-features a picture of Jackson wearing pinstripes and swinging a bat. It offers games such as blackjack, bingo and roulette.

Web surfers on Thursday, however, also were able to find a hyperlink that pointed them to a second site-placethat bet.com-which contains a sportsbook for betting on baseball. The hyperlink read: "Reggie Jackson Presents Place That Bet Online Casino and Sportsbook Featuring Blackjack, Roulette, Poker and More."

Told by The Associated Press of the second site hyperlink containing Jackson's name, his attorney, Ed Blum, said: "That will be off in a minute."

Within hours, Jackson's name was gone from one of the pages on placethatbet.com.

INDEPENDENT LEAGUE EXPELS MITCHELL: Former National League MVP Kevin Mitchell was expelled from the independent Western Baseball League for the rest of the season after punching the owner of an opposing team.

Mitchell, the former San Francisco Giants star, was playing for the Sonoma County Crushers when the brawl occurred Tuesday night.

Mitchell hit Solano Steelheads owner Bruce Portner, who had come on the field, soon after the fight had broken up. Portner was left with a black eye and earlier this week said he planned to press assault charges against Mitchell.

The fight began when Jim Converse threw a pitch behind Mitchell in retaliation for a brushback pitch. Mitchell rushed the mound and punched Converse in the mouth.

ROYALS SUSPEND BELTRAN: AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Beltran was suspended without pay by the Kansas City Royals for refusing to report to the team's Florida training complex for rehabilitation.

The players association immediately promised to file a grievance today.

CONE TO PITCH SATURDAY: After spending 1 1/2 weeks in Florida at the order of owner George Steinbrenner, David Cone is rejoining the New York Yankees to start Saturday against Seattle.

Cone, winless in 14 starts since April 28, dropped to 1-10 with a loss at Minnesota on July 27. Steinbrenner then ordered him to the team's training complex in Tampa, Fla.