Gant Surrenders In War Of Words

Ron Gant wants Tony La Russa to know he's sorry. Most of all, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder wants the war of words with his former manager to be over.

"I apologize to the fans, to my fans, to the families. This shouldn't have happened," Gant said Wednesday after the Phillies' first full-squad workout. "We both are adults, and we have to put it behind us."

La Russa, the St. Louis manager, and Gant have been ripping each other since the Cardinals traded Gant to Philadelphia three months ago. Gant criticized La Russa's lineups, and La Russa fired back about the slugger's lack of production.

On Tuesday, Gant named several players who didn't like La Russa and were mistreated by him. All the players were black, leaving the comments to be interpreted as an accusation of racism.

Gant didn't address that Wednesday, apologizing in a brief statement to reporters and then saying, "No more questions." La Russa has said he was trying to find out Gant's phone number so the two could talk, but La Russa said Wednesday in Jupiter that he still didn't have the number.

"I said what was on my mind," Gant said. "I said some things that I shouldn't have. I apologize, and let's move on. We both have a job to do."

Asked if he would talk with La Russa if the manager called, Gant said. "Probably so. I'm that type of person. As far as I'm concerned, it's behind me. I hope it's behind him."

Gant initially angered La Russa after the trade when he said the manager's quirky lineups -- with Mark McGwire batting third and the pitcher eighth -- made the Cardinals "the laughingstock of the league."

La Russa retorted that, "The only one it didn't work for was Ron Gant."

"It was whiff, whiff, whiff," La Russa said. "I really hope he goes to Philly and whiffs for them like he whiffed for us, and we'll see what excuse he makes."

On Tuesday, Gant listed the players who didn't like La Russa and said he pushed Ozzie Smith into early retirement.

"Rickey Henderson didn't like him, Royce Clayton didn't like him," Gant said. "He treated Ozzie Smith like dirt. Brian Jordan didn't like him. I don't know too many people who did like him.

"You do the math," he added. "Something's not right there."

The Gant-La Russa spat added controversy to a Phillies camp that is quiet other than the ongoing speculation about Curt Schilling's future with the team. But on Wednesday, the feud was relegated to a joke in the clubhouse.

"Why don't you ask me about Tony La Russa?" closer Jeff Brantley said. "That seems to be the hot topic."

Aside from his comments aout La Russa, Gant has taken a leadership role on the Phillies in the early days of camp. He led the veterans on an optional run after batting practice Tuesday, and has impressed young stars like Scott Rolen with his presence.

"He's put in his time in the game," Rolen said. "It's a calming, settling feeling to see him here. I'm looking forward to watching him."

Gant hit .240 with 26 homers and 67 RBI in 121 games for St. Louis last season, but was hampered by a persistent right hamstring injury.

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