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Big Ben's Thursday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

The Texas Rangers appear to be the only major league club showing even the remotest interest in outfielder Rickey Henderson, who has unsuccessfully lobbied for a return to the Oakland A's after spending last year with the Sox.

The Red Sox and the Florida Marlins have an agreement in place, according to industry sources, in which the Red Sox would purchase Kevin Millar for $1.2 million, the amount the Marlins received from the Chunichi Dragons when they purchased the rights to the outfielder-first baseman, and the Dragons would be returned that amount.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner continues to flex his muscles, firing Jason Giambi's personal trainer/batting practice coach Bobby Alejo. The Move follows public criticism of Derek Jeter and Joe Torre.

The possibility of war and terrorist response could have an impact on the Mariners' March 19-27 trip to Japan, where Seattle and Oakland are scheduled to open the season with games on March 25 and 26. Proceeding with the trans-Pacific series might hinge on whether the United States initiates military action against Iraq.

Today in St. Petersburg, a short distance from the club's old spring home in Baseball City, an off-season of fruitless negotiations with outfielder Carlos Beltran will culminate in an arbitration hearing to determine his 2003 salary. Royals GM Allard Baird said that Beltran is no longer viewed by the Royals as "untouchable" in trade talks. No deal appears imminent, but speculation is certain to escalate as the season unfolds.

Derek Jeter will wait until next week to address the criticism he received from George Steinbrenner in December. However, Jeter was happy to hear Joe Torre's praise.

The Cubs have undergone some drastic renovations the last two seasons, and Sammy Sosa is the only player from the 2001 Opening Day lineup who's still around. For the Cubs to smell 90 victories, they will need big contributions from young prospects Mark Prior, Bobby Hill, Corey Patterson and Hee Seop Choi, in addition to rebound seasons from the likes of Eric Karros, Moises Alou and Kyle Farnsworth.

The arbitrator's decision in favor of Freddy Garcia's demand for $6.875 million yesterday instead of the Mariners' offer of $5.9 million may reverberate through the 2003 season. It may sound loudest around the July 31 trading deadline when, given the idea the team is in a pennant race, Seattle baseball officials look to make a deal to improve the club that would cost some money.

Rumors rumbling from Chicago suggest the Cubs and Royals are again talking about a trade involving third baseman Joe Randa. "Nothing to it," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "Completely untrue."

Dave Nilsson, we hardly knew you, mate. Only hours before embarking upon a journey that would have taken him halfway around the world from his home in Australia, Nilsson had second thoughts about resuming his playing career and informed the Red Sox that he is once again going to retire. The former All-Star slugger for the Milwaukee Brewers phoned Craig Shipley on Tuesday night and informed the special assistant to general manager Theo Epstein that he had decided to remain in Australia.

The Toronto Blue Jays have made what general manager J.P. Ricciardi said yesterday is the team's final offer to outfielder Shannon Stewart, heightening the likelihood talks will only end with an arbitration hearing a week from today.

The Orioles' agreement today with former Oriole and longtime fan favorite B.J. Surhoff on a one-year deal -- like a similar deal with veteran right-hander Rick Helling the day before -- appears designed to add depth throughout the organization by slotting younger players in the minor leagues.

David Cone, the former Met pitcher who was traded away in 1992 and went on to win a Cy Young Award in Kansas City and four World Series titles in the Bronx, will be a Met once more. Cone and the Mets were on the verge of an agreement last night that would have the 40-year-old coming out of de facto retirement to fight for a spot on the Mets' pitching staff.

The Mets are still looking for more pitching depth. Yesterday they held a mini-tryout camp, auditioning three free-agent pitchers at their spring training complex for possible contract offers. The trio included former Met Robert Person, left-handed veteran Donovan Osborne and minor-league free agent Richie Lewis.

Andy Pettitte would like to stay with the Yankees after this season.

Mike Sweeney, as I figure it, will be the second-highest-paid guy in the American League Central (and if you guessed that the highest-paid player in the division is Detroit's Bobby Higginson -- at more than $12 million -- give yourself a prize). Mike knows this better than anyone: $11 million is a ridiculous amount of money. And it's even more ridiculous in Kansas City. The Royals will be paying Mike an unbelievable 30 percent of team payroll this year. Alex Rodriguez is not making 30 percent of the Texas Rangers' payroll.

The Red Sox remain tight-lipped about the status of reluctant Kevin Millar, but it appears that his situation could be decided by Major League Baseball as early as today.

Roger Clemens the Yankees right-hander was in the middle of Afghanistan, the week before Christmas. And the fact that the U.S. troops there played baseball to pass their time was only one of the many things that impressed him about the experience. "It was incredible," Clemens said. "To be on the soil where we took over some of the terrain where al Qaeda was and where this bin Laden cat was, that was just amazing, to see all of that."

Jay Bell said on a conference call yesterday that he intends to become the Mets' regular third baseman. "Yes, that is my objective, to play third base every day," he said. But the Mets consider the 37-year-old Bell, who came up as a shortstop in 1986, more of an insurance policy for Ty Wigginton and a utility infielder

The family of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Willie Stargell wants a souvenir from Veterans Stadium when it comes down. One of the first people to contact John Nash in his new position with the Phillies (managing the Vet's future strip-down) was Jonathan Stargell, brother of the late, great No. 8. He was requesting first dibs on the star commemorating his brother's titanic 600-level blast on June 25, 1971, that remains the Vet's longest home run to rightfield. "Unfortunately, when I checked, I learned it's painted on the cement," Nash said.

This is an estimate of what Frank Coppenbarger and his clubhouse personnel staff of Kevin Steinhour, Phil Sheridan and Danny O'Rourke have slid into the moving van for the Phillies' six-week stay at spring training. 12,000 baseballs, 10,000 pieces of gum, 2,000 hangers, 1,200 baseball caps, 1,140 baseball bats, 840 bars of soap, 800 towels, 550 pairs of pants, 400 Phillies T-shirts, 250 Phillies jackets, 150 jerseys and helmets, 100 equipment bags, 50 rosin bags, 24 cases of sunflower seeds ,20 cases of Powerade powder ,15 gallons of grass & stain remover, 5 computer terminals, 1 tractor-trailer: 48 feet long, 9 feet high and 7 feet wide

The Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority and the commonwealth's political leadership are tentatively planning to meet with Major League Baseball's relocation committee.

NFL Rumors & Notes

The Vikings will consider trading quarterback Todd Bouman, coach Mike Tice said. Tice said the team is considering trading Bouman because of the need for an experienced mentor for starter Daunte Culpepper and not because of Bouman's off-field issues.

With one week before the NFL's deadline for teams to designate one pending unrestricted free agent each as a "franchise" or "transition" player, the Falcons and linebacker Keith Brooking have some ground to cover.

The evaluation process has barely begun and Lions coach Steve Mariucci isn't sure if Charles Rogers plans on working out at the NFL scouting combine next week, but the Michigan State wide receiver is already on his mind. With the Lions' need for a big-play receiver for quarterback Joey Harrington, there has been speculation that Rogers would be a quality choice with the No. 2 pick overall. "We're going to take a good look at Charles," Mariucci said Wednesday.

Washington Redskins officials are preparing to make a push to sign a guard early in the NFL's free agent signing period. Many NFL scouts regard the New York Jets' Randy Thomas and the Oakland Raiders' Mo Collins as the top guards eligible for unrestricted free agency Feb. 28. It is not clear, however, whether the Redskins will be a strong contender to sign either.

Bucs free safety Dexter Jackson, snubbed by Disney after winning the MVP award at Super Bowl XXXVII three weeks ago, was an honored guest at Six Flags Magic Mountain Theme Park in Los Angeles last weekend. Jackson, 25, who will become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 28, shot a public relations video for the park and may appear in a commercial.

Orlando Pace isn't happy with his franchise player designation. But the Rams' offensive tackle says he's not surprised. "To be honest, I don't think it surprised anybody," Pace said. "We thought that was going to be the Rams' approach going in. I got that feeling throughout the year. Because negotiations started so late, I just thought it was the way it was going to go." With his contract status in limbo, Pace couldn't guarantee that he will be around for the Rams' offseason conditioning program this spring - much less the minicamps and training camp.

Two Bucs assistant coaches will have to receive their Super Bowl XXXVII rings in the mail. Tampa Bay fired strength and conditioning coach Johnny Parker and did not renew the contract of assistant offensive line coach Michael Christianson on Wednesday. Parker's termination was surprising since he has coached 17 NFL seasons and was in his first with Tampa Bay.

The newest member of the NFL's competition committee already is on record as favoring changes in the league's overtime policy. Texans general manager Charley Casserly said Wednesday that he and the Texans submitted a proposal during the season that would give each team an overtime possession, instead of the current sudden death plan.

The Detroit City Council unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday that says the Lions did not follow the NFL's diversity guidelines when they hired coach Steve Mariucci last week.

The Vikings have let representatives of quarterback Daunte Culpepper know they are serious about initiating serious talks aimed at securing a long-term extension. "It's important to me and to the team, that Daunte knows we want to get that done," Tice said.

Wide receiver Derrius Thompson appears increasingly likely to depart the Washington Redskins when free agency begins later this month.

NFL coaches salaries: Minnesota's Mike Tice's salary is the lowest and the only one under $1 million a season. Tice is listed at $650,000. Right above him at $1 million are Buffalo's Greg Williams, Oakland's Bill Callahan and Carolina's John Fox.

They say he'll show up. The big question is what he'll say, if anything. Barry Sanders and six others will be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on May 12 at Ford Field. Hall of Fame chairman Roger Faulkner announced the class of 2003 on Wednesday at the Legends Room at Ford Field.

In his first major decision as the Jaguars new vice president of player personnel, James Harris yesterday fired director of pro scouting Fran Foley.

NBA Rumors & Notes

Washington Wizards forward Charles Oakley and Los Angeles Clippers Coach Alvin Gentry got into a heated verbal exchange at this morning's shoot-around at Staples Center, prompting players and team personnel to intervene, according to witnesses.

It certainly doesn't sound like Bulls GM Jerry Krause is in a hurry to deal Jamal Crawford the third-year guard by the Feb. 20 trade deadline. "I'm not doing what's in their best interest," Krause said. "I'm doing what's in our best interest. I told him if I don't get an offer I like, nobody's getting traded. If I get an offer I like, anybody can get traded except No. 23. I have no problem staying with this group. I'm pretty content with these guys."

Latrell Sprewell spoke from heart last night when he saluted Knick fans for accepting and supporting him from the start.

Two names that continue to surface around the league in terms of big men who are considered rebounders are Atlanta's Theo Ratliff and Nazr Mohammed. But there apparently have been no links between those players and the Mavericks.

Shawn Kemp took a drug test Wednesday, and what happens next is anyone's guess. Kemp doesn't know. The Orlando Magic don't know. Neither the NBA nor the players association nor the overseers of the anti-drug program are allowed to tell.

The Timberwolves on Wednesday signed Mike Wilks, a defensive-minded point guard, to a 10-day contract. Coach Flip Saunders said the move was mostly for insurance because backup point guard Rod Strickland is sidelined by a sore groin, but Wilks hopes it will help him catch on for good.

Todd MacCulloch is done, at least for now. Larry Brown decided to shut down the 76ers center for the foreseeable future so that the lingering autoimmune disease affecting his feet and hands can be treated. Brown made the decision after conferring with Ed Snider, chairman and CEO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the Sixers. The coach worries that MacCulloch's problems could be career-threatening.

What you see probably is what you'll get for the rest of the season with the Nets. Plus, the injured guys, of course. With the NBA's trading deadline one week from today, team president Rod Thorn and coach Byron Scott both agreed they don't see the Nets making any moves. They both like what they have on hand.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban agrees with Heat coach Pat Riley's criticism of NBA officials but doesn't understand the league's response. For the second time this season, Riley was fined by the NBA on Tuesday for criticizing officials. After Miami's 101-87 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 5, Riley said: ''I thought it was an absolute officiating travesty.'' Riley, who also said the referees were ''unprofessional,'' was fined $20,000 Tuesday. ''Pat is right; I don't have a problem with [what he said],'' Cuban said to Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Art Garcia before adding: ``Why is it that my fines go up and his don't?''

The NBA said Wizards Coach Doug Collins did nothing improper by keeping in contact with former player Richard Hamilton, who the Wizards traded to the Detroit Pistons last summer for Jerry Stackhouse. The Detroit Free-Press, in Wednesday's editions, questioned whether conversations between Hamilton and Collins violated the league's tampering rules, especially since Hamilton will be a restricted free agent this summer. The league said that Collins's conversations have been friendly in nature with Hamilton and that he only offered advice about his game and well wishes, a common practice around the league.

It had to happen. An online wagering outfit from Costa Rica -- BoDog Sports Book and Casino -- is taking bets up to $300 on which company will land the shoe contract for high school hoopster LeBron James. Nike is the heavy favorite at 1-2, followed by adidas at 3-2 and “the field” at 3-1.

College Rumors & Notes

Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel last night recanted an earlier assertion that he had not been interviewed for the coaching position with the San Francisco 49ers. "My knee-jerk reaction was to protect an agreement of confidentially I had with the 49ers," he said. "But the life of the story that has followed has raised the question about who I am. It has questioned something more important, my credibility, and that isn't worth it. "I want to correct the situation and apologize for not being more candid. I will work hard at repairing those relationships I have damaged."

Offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson of Washington said yesterday he has no interest in filling coaching vacancies either on the San Francisco 49ers staff or at Oregon State.

Teresa Phillips didn't intend to make basketball history, but that's the way it will work out. The Tennessee State athletics director will become the first woman to serve as head coach for a Division I men's team when the Tigers visit Austin Peay at 7 tonight at the Dunn Center. The game has drawn nationwide media attention with the New York Times, USA Today, Chicago Tribune and Atlanta Journal-Constitution requesting press passes.

Odd Notes & Stuff

Annika Sorenstam, the world's most dominant female golfer, announced today that she has accepted an invitation to play against the men at the Colonial Invitational in May in Fort Worth. Not since Babe Didrikson Zaharias played in the Los Angeles Open in 1945 has a woman played in a PGA Tour event and Sorenstam, 32, received one of 12 exemptions extended by the tournament's sponsor, Bank of America.

After spending 10 years in a Louisiana prison for armed robbery, Clifford "The Black Rhino" Etienne promises there's no chance he'll be intimidated by Mike Tyson when they meet in Memphis Feb. 22. "I'm not scared of anybody," Etienne said during a conference call yesterday. "The only man I fear is God. [Tyson] bleeds like me, he hurts like me. All I've got to do is get to him first."

A referee criticized for posing for a photo with LeBron James after a game sees no reason why he should be punished. "I talked to the people on a (sports) ethics committee and asked them,What rule did I violate?' No one could tell me," Tony Celantano told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Igor Korolev's career as a Blackhawk appears to be over. The Hawks shipped Korolev—and his $1.7 million contract—to Norfolk on Wednesday to open up a roster spot for Eric Daze.

The attorney for a South Florida man suing the PGA Tour over access for disabled fans at golf tournaments said organizers of PGA Tour and Champions Tour events in Florida display "a general pattern of ignoring the rights of wheelchair-bound people."

The Iditarod dog sled race will be detoured for the first time in 30 years because of a lack of snow in the Alaskan wilderness. Officials of the annual 1,100-mile race moved the start about 360 miles north because unseasonably warm weather left parts of the trail uncovered.

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