Notes

MLB Robinson seeks $9.9M settlement

MIAMI - Baseball Hall of Famer and Little Rock native Brooks Robinson is seeking a settlement of $9.9 million from the Seminole Indian tribe over injuries he suffered in a 2012 fall from a stage at the tribe’s South Florida casino.

Attorney Jack Hickey said Monday that Robinson will sue unless a settlement is reached. The case is complicated by the tribe’s lawsuit immunity protections, which generally limit damages to $200,000 for an individual who suffers an injury at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood.

Robinson, 76, was attending a charity event at the casino for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital when he fell about 12 feet off a stage that had no back railing. Hickey said the Baltimore Orioles great suffered head, back and shoulder injuries that have forced him to undergo physical therapy and required that he limit numerous paid and charity appearances, celebrity golf tournaments, baseball fantasy camps, exercise and travel.

“He has made a good recovery for the injuries he had,” Hickey said. “But he’s not the same.”

Seminole spokesman Gary Bitner said the 2010 compact between the tribe and the state of Florida included the liability limits, which are similar to those Florida cities have for lawsuits filed against them. A higher settlement could still be negotiated, but Bitner said he couldn’t comment specifically about the Robinson case.

Hickey said the tribe was negligent in failing to provide railing around the stage, which was also a violation of local building codes. About an hour before Robinson’s accident another man had fallen off the back of the same stage, yet no changes were made, the attorney said.

If the tribe refuses to settle, Hickey said he will sue the Seminoles in federal court by the end of this year.

Robinson was an 18-time All-Star third baseman for the Orioles. Known for his defensive prowess, he won 16 Gold Glove awards and amassed more than 2,800 hits. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983, was the American League MVP in 1964 and was named the World Series MVP in 1970.

CARDINALS Smith dies at 82

FORT SMITH - Former major league baseball player Hal Smith of Fort Smith has died.

Edwards Funeral Home said Smith died Saturday at age 82. A cause of death was not released.

Smith was a native of Barling who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a catcher in 1949. He played for the Cardinals in 1956-1961 and was named to three National League All-Star teams.

He later played briefly for Pittsburgh in 1965 before becoming a scout and coach for several teams.

Funeral services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at East Side Baptist Church in Fort Smith.

Survivors include his wife and three children.REDS

Chapman throws off mound

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman threw off a mound on Monday for the first time since he was hit in the forehead by a line drive during spring training.

The left-hander threw 25 pitches in the bullpen before Cincinnati opened a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds will gradually increase his activities and hope to have him back sometime in May.

Chapman sustained fractures above his left eye and his nose when he was hit by Salvador Perez’s line drive on March 19 during a relief appearance against Kansas City. He had a plate inserted in the forehead the next day. Chapman has to be careful not to get hit in the forehead while it heals, so he’s restricted to working out and throwing on his own.

PADRES Gyorko signs six-year deal

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres think so much of second baseman Jedd Gyorko that they gave him a hefty raise and he’s only 13 games into his second full big league season.

Gyorko’s agreement, announced Monday, is a six-year deal that adds $35 million over five seasons through 2019.

It replaces a one-year deal agreed to last month and includes a team option for 2020. San Diego essentially buys out one year of free agency and possibly two.

Gyorko proved himself with a big rookie season, hitting .249 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI.

Gyorko’s previous deal called for $510,900 this year in the major leagues and $294,000 in the minors. The new contract eliminates the lower minor league pay and adds salaries of $2 million in 2015, $4 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017, $9 million in 2018 and $13 million in 2019.

San Diego’s 2020 club option is at $13 million with a $1 million buyout. The buyout can escalate by up to $750,000 based on the following achievements in any year between 2014 and 2019: MVP, $500,000; MVP voting finish second through fifth, $250,000; MVP sixth through 10th, $150,000; All-Star, $100,000.

He also gets a suite on the road.

Gyorko, 25, was a second-round pick out of West Virginia in the 2010 amateur draft.