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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

If the Tigers Jeff Weaver gets traded, it won't be to Boston

Don't count out the Los Angeles Dodgers as a possible trade partner for the Phillies with Scott Rolen. They expressed interest in Rolen last winter, and lately there have been indications that they are souring on third baseman Adrian Beltre.

The Orioles are happy with the work of third baseman Tony Batista, which doesn't lend credence to rumors about them trading for Philadelphia third baseman Scott Rolen. Todd Ritchie is in danger of being put in the bullpen by White Sox manager Jerry Manuel.

Shannon Stewart may be the hottest commodity in Toronto - yes, the Yankees have interest... The Braves talked to the Marlins about Cliff Floyd, and there was even speculation that they'd inquire about Rafael Palmeiro of the Rangers.

The Mets must play well this week against the Braves or they could unload Al Leiter, Shawn Estes and Pedro Astacio among others.

Tampa Bay Managing general partner Vince Naimoli said he remains committed to general manager Chuck LaMar and his plan to build the team with young players. This despite rumors that LaMar is going to get the boot.

Dan LeBatard of the Miami Herald: We never deserved this, truth be told. Another city, a baseball city, might have been worthy of Luis Castillo's historic consistency, but not us, not when we can barely put 5,000 people in the park on a Friday night to see him hit in his 35th straight game -- more than Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs or Barry Bonds had ever hit in consecutively. Spoiled South Florida has received more good baseball gifts than it has ever merited.

The body of Darryl Kile, 33, was found about 12:30 p.m. by hotel employees who had to force open the door to his 11th floor room. On his face were the eyeshades he wore to sleep.

Joe Buck: No parallels between Kile "tragedy" and father's death.

Because Milwaukee operates so far below the national radar screen, few people realize what Bob Uecker means to baseball fans in Wisconsin. Sure, they recognize him from "Mr. Belvedere," "Major League" and the Miller Lite commercials, but they may not know that he is in his fourth decade describing Brewers games.

Fifty-eight of the 60 players picked for the All-Star Game on July 9 will be selected by fan balloting and manager selections. The 30th player for each squad will be selected in a special two-day vote by fans called "The All-Star 30th Man" program.

Turner Field baffles Gary Sheffield, outfielder still figuring out home field after hitting .211 at Turner.

In late May, Russell Branyan sat with a couple of Indians teammates and talked baseball. Among the topics was the status of four of the organization's top hitting prospects in the 1990s: Sean Casey, Brian Giles, Richie Sexson and Branyan. The other three had been traded for veteran pitching to help a playoff-ready parent club, then blossomed into all-star-caliber players with their new teams. "I asked the guys, 'Do you think I'm going to be the one to stay?' " Branyan said. "They told me, 'Yes, you're in for the long haul. They'll make you a player. They're committed to you.' " Branyan was traded to the Reds on June 7th.

Curt Schilling of the D'Backs has a chance to finish the season with more wins than walks, something only three big-league starters have done since 1900.

Former Jays reliever Paul Quantrill of the Dodgers was the latest to take a swipe at Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi, talling the Toronto Star recently: ``If anyone who was considering going to play for the Jays was to ask me right now, I'd have to advise against it. . . . I don't know J.P. at all but he makes it pretty evident that he wants his people who adhere to his philosophy. There was a new group coming in and Buck (Martinez, who was recently fired as manager) wasn't his guy.''

Yanks Roger Clemens thinks he won't miss a turn in the rotation. In fact, Clemens is hoping he can start Wednesday in Baltimore.

Now that Pirates outfielder Armando Rios has dropped to 12th in All-Star voting, the most ridiculous vote total belongs to Giants outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo. The light-hitting Shinjo (sort of rhymes with Banjo) ranks fifth among NL outfielders due mainly to heavy support from Japan, where fans can cast Internet votes. Said Shinjo: "A couple of years ago I was hitting .220 in Japan and everybody voted me into the All-Star Game. They wanted me for my defense." ...

Last Monday was the two-year anniversary of Allard Baird's appointment as general manager of the Royals. Baird took over a .500 team -- the Royals were 33-33 on June 17, 2000. Since then? A depressing 134-193.

Orel Hershiser plans positive system as Rangers pitching coach.

"I'd mentally transfer myself and pretend I was in New York. Last year I took it personally. This year I'm not." So said ex-Met Todd Hundley in explaining how he's dealt with all the negativity surrounding his injuries and lack of production since signing a four-year, $23.5 million contract with the Cubs. Fans in Chicago like Hundley so much they have started this great website: dumptoddhundley.com

Carlos Tosca, who replaced the fired Buck Martinez as manager of the Blue Jays, has never played an inning of professional baseball. The last manager with an absence of big-league experience was John Boles of the Marlins; before that, you had to go back to Judge Emil Fuchs, the Braves owner who made himself manager in 1929.

The pressroom is Seattle was graced with a celebrity last night. David L. Lander attended the game. He played the role of Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggmann on the TV show Laverne & Shirley. (A Regular at Dodger Stadium)

Cleveland called up 1B prospect Ben Broussard with Todd Dunwoody assigned to the DL with a sprained left foot and ankle.

Pirates outfielder Brian Giles was amused at reports in Pittsburgh that he was soon to be traded back to the Indians.

There is nothing like tragedy that returns perspective to its rightful place. Before this stunner, baseball was thick with stories about labor problems, a steroids crisis, even the weird New York scene last weekend when Mets fans wanted the head of Roger Clemens as retribution for a two-year-old beaning. All of it seems like silliness and stupidity right now.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mike Cameron is batting .216 and Wednesday he snapped a drought of 93 at-bats without a home run. Since his four-home game May 2, Cameron has gone deep twice.

Tony Phillips, 43 and out of the majors since 1999, joined the Mexico City Red Devils and was batting .233 after seven games. Former Florida leadoff man Chuck Carr, who led the National League with 58 stolen bases in 1993, is playing for Rimini of the Italian League. Carr, 34, last played in the majors for Houston in 1997. check out some of the other players playing ball in far away lands.

It's time for the players' union to admit baseball needs to initiate a drug-testing program to rid the game of performance-enhancing steroids. Period.

Arizona's Byung Hyun Kim's doing just fine after horrific losses in Games 4 and 5 of the 2001 World Series.

Arizona Manager Bob Brenly played in one All-Star Game, 1984. That was the year Tommy Lasorda stood up in the NL clubhouse to go over the signs, and Padres reliever Rich Gossage told him not to bother, that everyone in the league already knew his signs.

Willie Mays, Rickey Henderson and Pete Rose make list of "Top 10 Jerks" in "Sign This," a book written by an ex-autograph show organizer.

Pitcher Chris Gruler, the Cincinnati Reds' first selection in the draft is on the fast track to the big leagues.

For San Francisco SS Jose Uribe walked through the Giants' clubhouse and heard a familiar chant: "Oooo-ree-bay." It was manager Dusty Baker, who hugged the former shortstop and invited him into his office.

Baltimore's Mike Bordick thought the call was so wrong that he called the official scorer and asked for a change . . . and that he deserved an error.

The BoSox may have their Double-A affiliate back in the local region as early as next year. With the working agreement with the Trenton Thunder expiring after this season, the Sox are exploring the possibility of relocating their second-highest farm team to either Manchester, N.H., or Portland, Maine.

Tommy Lasorda, who managed the U.S. to an Olympic gold medal in baseball, was in Jacksonville to evaluate the Dodgers' minor-league affiliate. Lasorda walked into a "Hooters" and received a standing ovation from a group of men. "Turns out they were helicopter pilots just back from Afghanistan," Lasorda explained. "

NFL Rumors & Notes

Coach Andy Reid declared the Eagles fit for a run at the Super Bowl after making very few off-season moves. Too few, according to many Birds fans, and this time they might be right.

Dolphins officials are privately steamed at agent Leigh Steinberg for some of Ricky Williams’ off-field driving problems.

The Patriots, with the signing of Roman Phifer on Friday, now have the pieces of the puzzle in place and will be able to begin their defense with a full roster of critical components. From the beginning of the offseason, from the start of free agency, through the draft and into the conditioning camp, there was one missing ingredient - Phifer.

Ex-Oakland Raider defensive end and Northeastern University product Sean Jones has made a successful transition from the playing field to the player representation business, but he is facing a crisis that could put him out of business.

George O'Leary would not be in the NFL if he hadn't been forced to resign at Notre Dame because of innaccuracies in his resume. But he's a Vikings assistant coach now, preparing for a new start.

The Browns have begun trading contract proposals with agents of their rookie draft choices, including No. 1 pick William Green. They also have made a long-term contract offer to receiver Kevin Johnson, who can be a free agent after this season.

Deuce McCallister clearly is the Saints' No. 1 running back, but several players have a chance to win the backup position

Even losing part of a finger in college hasn't stopped the drive of Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker JustinSeaverns

Vikings Randy Moss living large with gym being added on his home

Colts defensive tackle Ellis Johnson spent much of his summer taking diving lessons. He figured the only way to truly understand the habits and whereabouts of largemouth bass would be to swim with them. Catching bass is a priority in his life, and he will stop at almost nothing to do so.

Titans vs. Dolphins scrimmage sales pass 11,000

Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger watched future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway play during his five-year stint on the Denver Broncos' staff. He says he sees flashes of Elway, including mobility, a strong arm and late-game calm, while watching Titans quarterback Steve McNair.

Charles Grant, the rookie defensive end whom the Saints acquired with the Dolphins' first-round draft pick in April, looks like a future star, and the team will receive another draft pick in 2003.

Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden appears to have already won over the fans in Tampa Bay. Nearly 40,000 showed up for the team's FanFest, and after one fan got his autograph, she ranked the moment "right up there with getting married and having children."

Jets game is only sellout on first day. Only one Dolphins home game for the upcoming season sold out Saturday, the first day of single-game ticket sales.

The Denver Broncos are taking 40 season-ticket holders to court for not following through on the purchase of several hundred expensive club seats.

NBA Rumors & Notes

The Miami Heat have there eyes on Lakers free agent forward Devean George.

Knicks having been shopping Latrell Sprewell to Milwaukee in hopes of landing Glenn Robinson. So far, Bucks have yet to bite.

The Blazers, Heat and Suns are still hoping to pull off three-way deal, with Brian Grant ending up in Phoenix, Penny Hardaway in Miami and Portland moving up to No. 9 to get prep star Amare Stoudemire. The Bucks have several deals on table for both Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson, but nothing they're ready to pull trigger on.

The Knicks are actively shopping Marcus Camby again, and the operative term is "actively." As in, "Hey, what'll you give us?"

Portland and Orlando trying to trade up to get one of the Clippers two first round picks. High schooler Amare Stoudemire's agent hopes he ends up a paper clip.

Orlando's Mike Miller has been part of several recent trade discussions -- one with Cleveland involving point guard Andre Miller and one with Memphis involving power forward Stromile Swift

The Rockets are shopping Kelvin Cato, Maurice Taylor and Glen Rice to get a trouble-free power forward to team with Yao Ming.

A report about the Lakers trading Robert Horry and Rick Fox for the No. 12 pick is ridiculous. Grizzlies are exploring a trade: Nick Anderson for Cavs' Wesley Person.... Notes & Rumors on all NBA teams.

Sixers could send the No. 16 pick away to Golden State (along with Derrick Coleman) in a package deal that will bring Larry Hughes back to Philadelphia along with center Erick Dampier.

Are the Grizzlies working on a deal that would essentially swap Michael Dickerson and Miami's Eddie Jones?

Boston forward Paul Pierce copyrighted "The Truth," a nickname given him last year by Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal. "He should copyright that name," O'Neal said during the NBA Finals. "It's him. Paul Pierce is the (expletive) Truth."

Celtics would like Larry Hughes of the Warriors but they can't afford him.

The 76ers are said to be interested in Pacers forward Austin Croshere, despite the $30.7 million owed him over the four years left on his contract before an option year in 2006.

Guard Dan Dickau of Gonzaga might have made the best move up the draft board. Dickau has been outstanding in workouts and could be one of the top point guards taken. Unless a forward who excites the 76ers slips, Philadelphia could grab Dickau with the No. 16 pick to send him to Golden State, in desperate need of a point guard. Philadelphia owes the Warriors a first-round pick.

The word around the NBA is the Cavs, not enamored with players who might be available with the No. 6 pick, are looking to trade down in the draft.

Europeans transform NBA draft

If the Milwaukee Bucks were forced to make a decision today, they almost certainly would exercise their 13th pick in the NBA draft.

Pistons might trade pick, Washington, Atlanta among teams talking to Dumars about deal

Pacers still preparing for draft, Indiana front office continues to research players and hasn't decided who to take with the No. 14 pick.

Clippers guard Quentin Richardson was unimpressed. He shrugged off Yao Ming, the Chinese center who has so captured the NBA's imagination. Richardson disrespected Yao. He doesn't look like he'll be a huge shot blocker. He didn't have the intensity level I expected.
Then, Richardson made a proclamation: The Clippers plan to bet on whom on their team will be the first to dunk over Yao.

NBA draft has become unwatchable hype

Should Michael Jordan decide to come back to the Wizards, he might not return as the team's starting small forward but as a backup to shooting guard Richard Hamilton

The best trade last year by the Nets was one they didn't make: a deal featuring Stephon Marbury to the Clippers for Keyon Dooling and the No. 2 pick in the draft. That selection was Tyson Chandler, the same guy the Nets likely would have chosen.

There were 51 international players from 30 countries who played in the NBA last season. These are the notable ones:

Cavs should offer a Playoff Rebate - $125 if the Cavs don't make the postseason. Same as Atlanta. A postseason game for free if they do. One closing offer: If the Cavs trade Andre Miller and somehow make the playoffs, a piece of frozen hell.

Bulls Jerry Krause on Tyson Chandler: ''I see great similarities between Tyson and Scottie [Pippen] and Horace [Grant],'' Krause said. ''I probably never had two players work harder between their first and second seasons than Scottie and Horace.

Eddie G. Jackson Jr., LeBron James' mentor, was indicted on charges of mortgage fraud and money laundering in Akron. Authorities claim Jackson was the "mastermind" of the scheme. He was released from prison in 1993 after serving a sentence for drug trafficking. James, who has not been implicated, has said Jackson is like a father to him.

Pete Vecsey of the NY Post has been ripping guys at NBC sports and this could be why: During the NBA Finals, at an NBC Sports party held at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, Calif., a video montage of NBC's NBA years aired. In the video there were clips of Vecsey reporting sources saying Shaquille O'Neal would stay in Orlando and Rick Pitino would coach the Nets. Maybe Vecsey didn't dig the video "tribute."

College Rumors & Notes

Tom Osborne, the legendary former football coach at the University of Nebraska, was recently elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Although he has been in his new job only for a few months, Osborne is quickly showing that as a U.S. congressman, he's still one helluva football coach.

You know what bill Osborne is trying to get pushed through? It's called The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act. Osborne, it seems, wants us to be able to prosecute unscrupulous sports agents in federal court on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission.

Offseason face lift won't make BCS any prettier in January

KU's Gooden, Missouri's Rush put rivalry aside to become roommates.

Complying with the federal law known as Title IX shouldn't be difficult, according to several experts. "The easiest way to reach compliance is to cut football scholarships and limit the number of people on a football team," said Connee Zotos, athletics director at Drew University in New Jersey.

Male athletes harmed by Title IX, suit claims Many colleges cut men's teams to meet certain guidelines, coaches group says.

Odd Notes & Stuff

NHL considering a plan to expand to 32 teams with franchises in Portland, Ore & Houston, Tx?

Cheap NY Islanders fire Asst GM because he asked that his scouts get raises.

HHH , Owen Hart, Steve Austin, Kurt Angle and Bret Hart all have been former ''King of the Ring'' champions who became superstars, and the rumor is Brock Lesner will join that list tonight.

Has Steve Austin gone 'Stone Cold' crazy?

Selling the World Cup to America's TV networks just isn't happening. If it weren't for Major League Soccer owners mustering $40 million for this Cup and 2006 in Germany, there wouldn't have been any English-language telecasts this time. Disney, which had wee-hour live coverage on the ESPNs and weekend taped telecasts on ABC, wouldn't pay a dime for rights after being burned with a $28 million commitment in 1998 when the U.S. finished last. Disney had three low-rated losses to promote.

FIFA has received about 400,000 hateful e-mails from Italy fans irate over refereeing they say was to blame for their team's elimination from the World Cup.

A decade ago, a former Patriots cheerleader (and cheerleader coach) named Lisa Coles had lots of potential. She was the pleasant, ambitious girlfriend of Patriots quarterback Hugh Millen. Lisa coles turned into Fox Sports Net's Lisa Guerrero.

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