Miguel Tejada Ages In A Hurry
HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada says his birthday cakes have been short of candles for years.
He's now told the team he's actually 33 years old. That's two years older than his listed age in the Astros' media guide and other baseball records.
The Houston Chronicle reports Tejada is coming clean because he wants to rid himself of a burden. The newspaper reports he approached general manager Ed Wade and asked to correct misinformation he gave the Oakland Athletics in 1993.
Tejada was actually 19 when he signed out of his poverty-stricken village of Bani in the Dominican Republic. He says a local coach encouraged him to tell the A's he was 17.
Juan Marichel signed the 2002 American League MVP, but Tejada says the Hall of Fame pitcher played no part in the deception.
Both Wade and Tejada say the shortstop's green card, driver's license and other legal papers in the United States reflect his actual birthday, May 25th, 1974.
4/17/2008 2:15:14 PM
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