''Jonathan, I couldn't be more proud of you,'' Steinbrenner wrote to Jonathan Farrar, a student in the Midland School District of Pleasant Plains. ''I agree with you when you said, 'The New York Yankees are important to me, but my school is more important.' You're absolutely right and it takes quite a man to give up his personal dream for a higher purpose.''
Arkansas' state Board of Education had considered merging Midland schools into any of seven surrounding districts, but voted Monday to keep the district alive after townspeople raised $400,000 to cover a projected budget shortfall. Farrar donated $1,000 that he had set aside to pay for a trip to New York this summer for his 13th birthday in May.
Steinbrenner said in the letter he had heard about Farrar's efforts, and he invited him to New York for a game at Yankee Stadium, and a personal tour of the stadium and the field during batting practice. He also replaced Farrar's $1,000.
More Angels litigation
Anaheim city officials plan to ask a judge to order the Angels to drop Los Angeles from their name despite last week's jury ruling that the team did not breach a contract by calling itself the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, an attorney said Monday.
Attorney Michael Rubin said Monday the city's lawyers would make the request at a March 2 hearing before Superior Court Judge Peter Poulos.
Arte Moreno, who bought the team in 2003, said he changed the name from Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to take advantage of marketing opportunities associated with the larger Los Angeles market.
Around the horn
Twins: Kyle Lohse and Minnesota went to a salary arbitration hearing for the second straight year, with the pitcher asking for $3.95 million and the team offering $3.4 million. Lohse went 9-13 for the second season in a row in 2005 and his ERA decreased to 4.18 from 5.34 but he made 30 starts. A decision was expected today.
Reds: Adam Dunn agreed to a two-year, $18.5 million deal, four days before he and Cincinnati were scheduled for an arbitration hearing. Dunn batted .247 with 40 homers, 101 RBIs and 114 walks last year.
Yankees: Pitcher Carl Pavano threw for about 15 minutes on level ground in his comeback from a shoulder injury. Pavano's ailing right shoulder prevented him from pitching after June 27 last season.
