L.A. Superior Court Judge HUEY COTTON yesterday "denied a motion to dismiss BILLY HUNTER's wrongful termination lawsuit" against the NBPA "on the basis of a dispute over his contract, but threw out most allegations against DEREK FISHER and all actions against his former business manager, JAMIE WIOR." Hunter will "be allowed to continue his action against" the union, in which he disputes the argument that "his contract was invalid as a basis for firing him" in February '13. Hunter had alleged that the two "conspired to oust him and seize control of the NBPA during and after the 2011 lockout" (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/15).
HONORING WEINER: The Baseball Assistance Team charity next week will honor late MLBPA Exec Dir MICHAEL WEINER at its annual "Going to Bat for BAT" dinner in N.Y. on Jan. 21. Weiner will be honored posthumously with the BAT Lifetime Achievement Award. BAT at the dinner also will recognize Phillies SS JIMMY ROLLINS and free agent MICHAEL YOUNG for their contributions to the community. MLB Commissioner BUD SELIG, as previously announced, will receive the inaugural Commissioner Selig Leadership Award (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
MASTERPIECE THEATRE: Last night's edition of NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” featured the Audience Suggestion Box segment in which Fallon read a suggestion that said, “Hey Jimmy, I just heard that there is now a play on Broadway about some of the most famous players on the New York Yankees called ‘BRONX BOMBERS,’ and that got me wondering what it would be like to see actual Yankees players act out a dramatic scene. Anyway, you could make that happen?’" Fallon said, "I’ve often wondered the same thing. So now here to perform a scene from ‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY' are Yankees All-Stars CC SABATHIA and MARK TEIXEIRA.” Sabathia and Teixeira appeared on stage in wigs to act out a scene from the film ("Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," NBC, 1/15).
NAMES: Yankees SS DEREK JETER has joined Luvo, a company that "makes healthy prepared foods," as Partner & Brand Development Officer (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/15)....The original McKeever Place street sign "that marked the location of Brooklyn's fabled Ebbets Field sold for $58,852" during a Lelands.com auction on Monday (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/16)....DirecTV yesterday announced that JAY Z will perform at its Feb. 1 Super Bowl party (NJ.com, 1/15)....NHL Rangers LW DANIEL CARCILLO last week listed his "two-bedroom, 2,500-square foot loft condominium unit" in Lincoln Park, Ill., for $649,000 (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 1/15).
