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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

If Jim Bowden isn't brought back as Reds general manager, player development director Tim Naehring is considered the most likely person inside the organization to take over the job.

The Expos say they'll try to sign Vladimir Guerrero, who is eligible for free agency after this season. The cost likely will be at least $90 million over five years. "People talk about Alex Rodriguez," Expos manager Frank Robinson said, "but Vlady may be the most complete young player there is, and it's scary. I don't think he's even scratched the surface yet

The spring trade rumor that won't die: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and right-hander Brett Myers to the Athletics for MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada. Phillies general manager Ed Wade said there was absolutely, positively nothing to it. As usual, the denial has made everyone suspicious.

Former Astros hurler Shane Reynolds, recently released by Houston, could end up donning Mets cap this season. Reynolds said he is aware of the Mets starting situation. It is similar to Houston's, except that the Mets could sign Reynolds at a discount. "I've always like pitching in New York," Reynolds said. "They have a real good team. They have an owner who tries to get the best players to try and win."

"The Yankees and Pedro? . . . It would be great for George Steinbrenner, not for the Red Sox." - Boston's Pedro Martinez, trying to goad Boston into picking up his $17.5 million option for 2004.

Shane Reynolds, released by the Astros, is drawing interest from the Rangers, Braves and Phillies.

Greg Vaughn, also a recently released millionaire, doesn't appear to be drawing any interest.One executive with a non-interested team predicted Damion Easley would end up with the Expos or the A's, adding of the Tigers: "I just can't believe they released a guy making that much money."The Tigers are sure to stink again this year."

Agent Jeff Boras said Rickey Henderson isn't giving up just because nobody wants him. "He has unlimited choices in independent ball," Boras said

Jason Isringhausen is telling friends his rehabilitation from right shoulder surgery is coming along much more slowly than the Cardinals are letting on and that he might not be ready before the All-Star break.

Sammy Sosa realizes his name will survive the ages. As long as there are record books and as long as people amuse themselves with comparisons of Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, Mays and a pantheon of players, Sosa will be a name that always will remain in play in the fields of glory. "Thinking of where I came from, who I was and who I am today, I have a name that will be there forever,'' he said. "People will remember me forever. That's one thing I will always have. Even when I leave this game, my name will be mentioned everywhere. People will recognize me.''

Clip and save: ''If me and Sheff and Chipper go out there and have a good season, we're going to be in the World Series,'' said Atlanta outfielder Andruw Jones, excited that he, Gary Sheffield, and Chipper Jones all swung the bats well this spring.

What Marlins player is most likely to enjoy a breakout season? According to teammates, right fielder Juan Encarnación. In a poll of a dozen Marlins, five (including Iván Rodríguez) named Encarnación as the player most likely to surpass expectations.

We were first to alert you last year that scouts were so down on Yankee prospect Drew Henson because of a frightening hitch in his swing. Things aren't much better this season. We keep hearing that the Yanks would let the $17 million quarterback go back to football if Henson would pay back some of that cash. And several NFL teams are interested in the former Michigan star. There is a belief that Henson would be selected in the fourth or fifth round of the NFL draft.

Some interesting names could be free agents at the end of the season. The biggies: Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Roberto Alomar, Rich Aurilia, Mike Cameron, Luis Castillo, Bartolo Colon, Juan Gonzalez, Vladimir Guerrero, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez (if his option isn't picked up), Jeff Nelson, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte and Ivan Rodriguez. Most likely to be traded in July. Carlos Beltran (Royals), Kelvim Escobar (Blue Jays), Kenny Lofton (Pirates).

On the hot seat. Mets general manager Steve Phillips got rid of manager Bobby Valentine and signed Tom Glavine and Cliff Floyd. After last year's disaster, the Mets need to make some noise, or else Phillips, who is in the last year of his contract, could be gone. Highly regarded assistant Jim Duquette was denied permission to interview with the Orioles and is waiting in the wings.

The Marlins briefly considered making a bid for Livan Hernandez last week but opted against it, in part because they were concerned about how such a homecoming would affect his already suspect work habits.

Of all the young arms in Arizona, three of the most impressive, scouts say, were Runelys Hernandez (Royals), Colby Lewis (Rangers) and John Patterson (Diamondbacks).

Craig Paquette was so sure he was going to be released when the Tigers made their final cuts Friday that he already had arranged for a flight home to St. Louis, his suitcase was in his car at Marchant Stadium and he was telling fans it was his last day as a Tiger. That's because the Tigers had told him he was going to be released. Then they changed their mind during Friday's game when they decided to send outfielder Andres Torres to Toledo.

One way to look at the 25-man opening-day roster set Saturday by the Devil Rays is this: It's definitely the best $15-million squad in the game.

Eddie Murray coaches for the Indians, but he's on the cover of the Orioles media guide and tomorrow at Camden Yards, the Hall of Fame inductee will throw out the first pitch wearing the visiting team's uniform.

Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire believes drawing walks and a high on-base percentage is overrated. "I think when you start telling your kids, 'Let's be more patient at the plate,' you're going to screw them up," he said. Gardenhire also isn't one to always manage by the book.

Who Knew? 27: Walks drawn by San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds in 17 post-season games. While Bonds batted .356 and slugged .978 with an on-base percentage of .581, he walked more times in October than either Red Sox third baseman Shea Hillenbrand (25) or New York Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano (23) during the regular season.

Of the 30 teams in the major leagues, none had more success on artificial surfaces last season than the Red Sox. Boston went 17-5 on artificial turf, a winning percentage of .773. The Detroit Tigers had the worst record on artificial surfaces, going 1-15 for a winning percentage of .063.

Sammy Sosa (8.8%), Barry Bonds (8.4%) and Derek Jeter (7.2%) were mentioned most frequently when major-league baseball fans were asked to name their favorite active player in a survey conducted by ESPN Sports Poll, a service of TNS Intersearch. There's a significant drop after that to Chipper Jones (3.5%), Mike Piazza (2.9%), Ken Griffey Jr. (2.4%), Randy Johnson (2.3%), Alex Rodriguez (1.9%), Nomar Garciaparra (1.8%) and Ichiro Suzuki (1.4%).

Tomorrow may be Opening Day, but the Mets really come home today. That's when Major League Baseball returns to Brooklyn after a 46-year absence. The workout at KeySpan Park will be the first gathering of major leaguers on a Brooklyn baseball field since the Dodgers left Ebbets Field to the wrecking ball after the 1957 season.

NFL Rumors & Notes

The Indianapolis Colts' commitment to quarterback Peyton Manning will come in the form of a new contract that will maintain his status as one of the highest paid players in the NFL. It's not a matter of if, just when. "Peyton's going to be with the Colts for the rest of his career," said team owner Jim Irsay.

Emmitt Smith says he wanted to play for the Bucs. But the NFL's all-time leading rusher decided to run from a power struggle rather than cause a bigger rift for the world champions. Smith, who signed a two-year contract Thursday with the Cardinals, is referring to increasing signs of acrimony between Bucs coach Jon Gruden and general manager Rich McKay.

Mike Martz's wife, Julie, usually stays out of football matters. But she couldn't help herself when it came to San Diego linebacker Junior Seau one morning at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. "She thinks we should sign him," Martz said. "She said, 'Couldn't we go sign Junior right now?'" Well ... "I said, 'Talk to Charley and Jay, would you?'" Martz said. "She really likes Junior." Martz says the thought has crossed his mind, but he hasn't discussed Seau with general manager Charley Armey and president of football operations Jay Zygmunt.

Curtis Martin signed a new contract last season and is far from finished. So maybe the Jets need to reconsider an offer to trade LaMont Jordan and the 13th pick to Houston for the third pick, a deal they rejected when the Texans called. Jordan will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2004 season. If he's not starting by then, the Jets will have a tough time convincing him to stay.

Saints coach Jim Haslett doesn't hide his intention to package the No. 17 and No. 18 picks in the draft to move high enough to select one of the draft's top-rated cornerbacks, Terence Newman or Marcus Trufant. "That's why we've got two firsts," Haslett said.

Rumors abound this offseason regarding teams in the top tier of the first round looking to trade down in exchange for more picks. Of the teams owning the top six selections, (Cincinnati at No. 1, followed by Detroit, Houston, Chicago, Dallas and Arizona), only the Lions at No. 2 have not been linked to trade-down talk.

While Dolphins fans root for the team to acquire San Diego linebacker Junior Seau, incumbent starter Derrick Rodgers twists in the wind. He might be released if the team adds Seau. After agreeing to a restructured contract, Rodgers assumed he would return. ''I wanted to make more plays last year,'' he admits. ``I put blame on myself. I haven't had my best year yet.''

Safety Chris Akins is sweating it out in offseason Patriots workouts as he awaits the return of wife, Stephanie, who is stationed in Kuwait with the U.S. Army.

While Pro Bowl C Barrett Robbins continues his bout with bipolar disorder, the mental condition that kept him out of the Super Bowl, the Raiders remain undecided about his future with the club. "I think how the team embraces (Robbins), or re-embraces him, will be interesting to see," coach Bill Callahan said.

Bills WR Josh Reed finds it too painful to watch much TV news these days. His brother, Norbert, is an Army medical specialist stationed in the Middle East. "As good or bad as things seem here, they're over there in the desert fighting for our freedom and way of life," Reed said. "That's something a lot of us couldn't do." Reed last spoke to his brother three weeks ago, telling him, "You'll be back soon."

The Bucs got the shaft from the league last week when it announced that the defending Super Bowl champions would start the year at Philadelphia. It is the first time in eight years that the defending Super Bowl champion has not opened at home. "Normally, you would open at home," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "I don't know why we had to buck that trend."

Hot speculation of the week was that the Bengals would forgo Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer with the draft's No. 1 pick because of the cost and instead grab Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman. The Bengals want the player signed before he is drafted, and Newman might be cheaper and easier to sign.

A growing chorus of NFL experts also think that quarterback Donovan McNabb is carrying too much of the offensive load. "He's never had receivers," said John Madden, the Monday Night Football analyst. "He doesn't have the full deck. John Elway played without a full deck for a long time, and got to the Super Bowl and didn't win. "That's where McNabb is. He's a heck of a player, but he needs some other things around him. That whole triplet kind of thing. You know, if he ever got to where you have the good running back and the one big-time receiver, it would be different."

One reason outside linebacker Takeo Spikes implored the Bengals not to match the offer sheet he signed with the Bills is because he desperately wanted to play for Buffalo. When the Bengals ended their season at Buffalo, fans behind the Bills' bench knew he was going to be a free agent. Some wore Spikes' jerseys. During the game, they chanted his name and cheered for him. Spikes didn't forget the reception he received at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

It's unusual for star athletes to bid huge dollars for sports memorabilia. But St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk did so last week, paying $2,000 -- double the asking price -- for an autographed picture of Dan Marino, Joe Montana and John Elway at Ricky Williams' charity golf tournament. ''I'm a fan of those guys,'' said Faulk, who has an offseason residence in Fort Lauderdale. ``I want it for my home.''

One of the mysteries of last season was wide receiver Johnnie Morton's lack of production with Kansas City. After eight steady seasons with the Lions, Morton seemed ideally suited for the Chiefs' high-octane offense. Instead of thriving in the league's top-ranked system, Morton was a nonfactor. Morton caught only 29 passes after averaging 73 in his previous five seasons with the Lions. Why the drop off? "I think it was a stamina issue," Chiefs Coach Dick Vermeil said

The conspiracy theorists are out in force after quarterback Tom Brady admitted during a press conference last week that he has thrown just once since the end of last season. At the briefing, more than one person noticed that Brady seemed to grasp uncomfortably at his right shoulder, which he separated slightly in the Pats' season finale against Miami. Is Brady's shoulder worse than previously thought?

Coming out produced dramatic - and liberating - changes in the life of former NFL defensive tackle Esera Tuaolo

Finding a RB is always a top priority for Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, who admits he has been "spoiled" with Joe Morris, Ottis Anderson and Curtis Martin. Can Troy Hambrick really assume the role left by Emmitt Smith? "Well, as they say in Texas," Parcells said, "we're fixin' to find out."

NBA Rumors & Notes

Andre Miller is counting down the days until he can extricate himself from Clipperland. The Clips have no interest in bringing him back and whispers are loud that he will end up in Utah. "I look at this as a wasted season, a season that expectations weren't met," Miller said. "We didn't take advantage of the opportunity in front of us. I didn't get any better here."

Jeff Van Gundy has been linked to the Memphis Grizzlies head coaching job once again, even though the Grizzlies aren't in any hurry to replace Hubie Brown.

When told the Denver Nuggets will be looking to use a lot of the salary-cap room they will have to sign him during the offseason, Los Angeles Clippers center Michael Olowokandi started blowing kisses at general manager Kiki Vandeweghe. ''All avenues are open,'' said Olowokandi, who will be a free agent after the season. ''They have young players and, from what I've seen, need help in the middle. It's a good team. It's a great city. I have friends there. It's definitely a good city to play in. They're one of the better teams [among those on his list].''

If the Wizards decide to let Jerry Stackhouse leave when he opts out of his contract this summer, as expected, Gilbert Arenas could slide in to play point, with Larry Hughes moving over to the shooting guard slot, where he is better suited.

Phoenix's Penny Hardaway, a Memphis, Tenn., native who played at Memphis State, wants to end his career as a Grizzly. "I'm such a hometown guy," he told the Arizona Republic. "I keep my roots (there). I'm a Southern guy. I come back every summer. If the opportunity knocked and my grandmother is still living and with my daughter getting older, that would give me more of a chance to spend time with them here."

The Milwaukee Bucks announced Saturday that forward Tim Thomas had been fined an undisclosed amount by the team for refusing to re-enter the game in Wednesday's loss in Denver.

Our favorite quote on lottery tanking comes from David Fredman, the Nuggets' assistant general manager, who told the Denver Post, "I want to win every game. I really do. The only thing I want to be last in is dying."

Expect the NBA coaching carousel to be in full motion this summer. As many as nine teams could be firing and hiring coaches. Certainly, Toronto, Cleveland and the Clippers will be looking. New Jersey, New Orleans, Atlanta and Seattle might, too. And depending on the health of Rudy Tomjanovich and the mental fatigue level of Jerry Sloan, Houston and Utah could be in the mix. Here's one wild, but plausible scenario -- Hornets Coach Paul Silas could end up in Toronto, replacing Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens, if he still wants to continue coaching, could end up in Los Angeles with the Clippers.

Dallas has delivered a message to the NBA this season: It pays to beat the patsies. With their 114-107 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last week, the Mavericks moved to 20-0 against the bottom-of-the-barrel teams - Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, the Clips, Memphis, Miami and Toronto. None of those seven had won more than 26 games as of Friday. "We can't afford to stub our toe," Mavs coach Don Nelson said.

Do you wonder why the Pistons are often overlooked and underappreciated by the national media? Here's why: They are 2-16 against the five elite teams in the West -- Mavericks, Lakers, Blazers, Kings and Spurs -- in the Carlisle era.

South Korean high school player Ha Seung-jin hoped to announce his eligibility for this year's draft. But the 7-3, 305-pound center doesn't turn 18 until August – and a recent clarification of commissioner David Stern's All-Star Weekend announcement concerning draft-age eligibility for international players will force Ha to wait for another year.

Amazingly, since acquiring two certified defensive players in Gary Payton (21 points and eight assists since the Ray Allen deal) and Desmond Mason, the Bucks have only shown intensity at the offensive end. Payton's excuse: "The eastern conference is underrated."

The Warriors are still alive in the West, but they're losing their minds. The first two games of the current trip -- an embarrassing loss at Cleveland, and an easy victory at Boston -- makes this so. "I can't explain it," says Troy Murphy. "It's mind-boggling. There are some things you can't understand -- the Kennedy assassination, where the aliens are hiding, and our ups and downs. Oh, and Stonehenge."

Former NBA player Rodney Buford (Miami, Philadelphia, Memphis) was reinstated by his Greek team, Panathinaikos, for this weekend's Greek Cup Final Four. Buford had been suspended for failing a drug test Feb. 19. At least three other players with NBA experience have failed drug tests this season in Europe

College Rumors & Notes

Given the grave state of global events, Michigan State Tom Izzo concedes that the term "war drill" is unfortunate. But he makes no apologies for the no-holds-barred practice technique that he credits with transforming the Spartans into the most feared rebounding team in college basketball.

Former Bulls coach Tim Floyd visited Clemson last week and came away impressed. The job is said to be his for the taking, but Floyd has had difficulty in deciding on jobs in the past.

Rumor has it that coach Tubby Smith is considering leaving Kentucky for the NBA. Today in Lexington, there are some alumni who may be willing to pay his transportation costs.

At Penn State, Pennsylvania native Jeff Lebo reportedly said no thanks. Lebo also declined to consider the Virginia Tech vacancy. Lebo could emerge at Georgia, as his track record at Tennessee Tech and UT-Chattanooga is squeaky clean.

If UCLA truly wants to get back among the elite, it needs to pony up the money and hire Utah Coach Rick Majerus. No one in college basketball annually does more with less than Majerus.

As Pitt works to sweeten the pot to keep coach Ben Howland from bolting for UCLA, contingency plans have been made if Howland decides to go West. According to sources, associate head coach Jamie Dixon is considered a primary candidate for the job. The 37-year-old Dixon has never been a head coach, but he's worked with Howland for 15 years and is highly regarded by university officials.

Regardless of who is hired as the next coach at UCLA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said he could become an assistant coach there.

The best selling autograph during "March Madness" is still the legendary John Wooden. At the young age of 92, Wooden still outsells tournament heroes such as Jimmy Valvano (N.C. State), Dean Smith (North Carolina), Bill Walton (UCLA), Tubby Smith (Kentucky), Bobby Hurley (Duke) and Allen Iverson (Georgetown).

He specializes in rebuilding college-basketball programs, and he has taken on the challenge of one of the most daunting. Dick Bennett, 59, who guided Wisconsin to the Final Four just three years ago, was introduced yesterday as Washington State's coach. Bennett said he would bring with him his 33-year-old son Tony, an assistant coach at Wisconsin. But he and Sterk said there are no strings attached with respect to the younger Bennett taking over the job when his father retires.

Meet Ernie Chambers, politician, self-described radical and man on a mission. He wants to end what he calls the biggest hypocrisy on America's major-college campuses -- the notion that football players are students, rather than unpaid workers for athletic departments. "Education has nothing to do with these young people. They are recruited to be players, not scholars," says Chambers, a Nebraska state senator. He is about to push through a piece of legislation that he hopes will spark a national discussion about the moral rightness of paying major-college football players, whom he calls the most-exploited "employees" on American campuses.

On Tony Bruno's nationally syndicated sports radio show Friday on 740 AM (WQTM), the hosts were breaking down that night's game between Texas and UConn. One of them analyzed the matchup thusly: "Texas has that big guy, and UConn has that other big guy." Do you think college basketball might have an identity crisis?

Police in East Lansing, Mich., arrested 17 people during raucous celebrations of Michigan State's round-of-16 victory over Maryland.

Odd Notes & Stuff

Ted Nolan, easily the most popular head coach in NHL history to have only one season on his resume, told the Toronto Star he remains eager to find work. He has been out of the NHL since an ugly break with the Sabres in 1997, after winning the Jack Adams Award with a fiery manner.

Shockingly, Lou Lamoriello now has to worry that John Madden will leave the Devils as an unrestricted free agent after next season, The Post has learned.

Wonder why the Blackhawks couldn't get rid of Theo Fleury before the trade deadline? Now that his performance on the ice has dropped to the point where he is no longer a top scorer, teams aren't interested in a troubled player who actually said earlier this month: "The Hawks are trying to get me to go out and drink so they don't have to pay me."

Wayne Gretzky finally has taken a stand on the NHL’s imminent labor battle, and his view, to no surprise, is decidedly pro-owner. Speaking to reporters Monday at a charity event in Calgary, he warned that more teams are poised to dump their best players to save money if the new Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2004 is not to their liking.

Some in Ottawa wonder why the Senators aren't drawing any voter interest in the various league-wide awards despite having the best record in hockey. The answer is simple. Ottawa is a boring team. There isn't a player on the roster who is remotely interesting. And the organization went out of its way some years ago to trade guys who talked too much to reporters. Coach Jacques Martin, assistant Roger Neilson, and even goalie Patrick Lalime are boring, too.

WWE and Goldberg finally came to terms last week, ending one of the more high-profile negotiations in WWE history. Although nothing has been confirmed by WWE or its Web site — chances are it's keeping the signing quiet for surprise value — several sources are reporting that Goldberg will work approximately 100 days per year. He's expected to be on "Raw" tomorrow night.

Sounds like Kevin Nash is ready for a return to the WWE, and he could be back as Diesel.

The Brazilian soccer team Guarani has a reserve forward named Creedence Clearwater Couto. Wrote Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: "What, was this guy born on a bayou with a bad moon rising?"

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