Minnesota Gives Radke Record Contract

The Minnesota Twins and pitcher Brad Radke agreed to terms on a reported four-year, $36-million contract Monday, and Radke believes the contract signifies a new era for Twins.

The contract is the richest in team history. The right-hander’s annual salary of about $9 million surpasses Kirby Puckett’s highest salary of $7 million in 1996.

“This is just the beginning of good things to happen,” Radke said. “This team has a lot of potential.”

The Twins have the lowest payroll in baseball this year, $16.5 million. They are in last place in the American League Central and the last time they finished higher than fourth was in 1992, when the Twins ended the season in second place.

“This is one player we needed to keep,” General Manager Terry Ryan said. “It’s our responsibility to move forward and improve this franchise.”

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Cub outfielder Sammy Sosa denies reports he has made an ultimatum to the team.

Sosa is under contract through 2001 at about $11 million a season. Most think he is seeking a four-year extension, worth at least $17 million a season.

“We’re not talking about salary, buddy,” he said. “The money is not a problem. The problem is they pay some of the best players in my category. I consider myself one of those players. I deserve to get what I get. It’s not about how much it is or how much I get.

“I always say ‘Take care of me,’ I never say ‘Pay me or trade me,’ ” Sosa said. “Come on, I’m not that type of person.”

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Florida outfielder Mark Smith pulled a man from a smoke-filled car Sunday, hours after hitting two homers in a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Expos.

Smith and Marlin pitcher Brad Penny were driving from Fort Lauderdale Airport after their flight from Montreal when they saw a car swerve off the highway.

The players got off at the next exit and returned to the scene of the accident.

“The car was smoking under the hood and in the window, when I saw a guy trying to kick out the back window,” Smith said. “I did hesitate at first. I was scared to death. Then I was, ‘Yes, go, go go!’ ”

Smith, who is 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, reached in and yanked the man out of the car.

A few minutes later, the car exploded and fire crews arrived to put out the flames.

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Arizona put first baseman Alex Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left groin and recalled pitcher Nelson Figueroa from triple-A Tucson. . . . Texas put right-hander Mark Clark on waivers. If Clark is not claimed by Thursday, he will become a free agent. . . . The Devil Rays activated third baseman Vinny Castilla from the disabled list. . . . The New York Mets put infielder Kurt Abbott on the disabled list because of lower-back inflammation, retroactive to June 30. The Mets also transferred shortstop Rey Ordonez to the 60-day disabled list.