Former pitcher Joe Sambito sues agency he worked for

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SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) Former major league pitcher Joe Sambito has sued the company that employed him as an agent, claiming wrongful termination and age discrimination.

Sambito filed the suit Wednesday in California Superior Court in Orange County against Independent Sports & Entertainment, ISE Baseball and ISE Chairman Ron Burkle along with a pair of predecessor companies.

Sambito, who turns 66 next month, represented Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt before the first baseman left ISE for Excel Sports Management. Sambito alleges he was fired effective Feb. 1 and asks to be awarded $2 million.

Among his other claims are fraud, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and unlawful business practices.

''This lawsuit contains self-serving and meritless allegations, and Independent Sports & Entertainment will vigorously defend itself against this groundless suit,'' the company said in a statement.

Sambito was 37-38 with a 3.03 ERA for Houston (1976-82, '84), the New York Mets (1985) and Boston (1986-87).

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