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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

Manager Lloyd McClendon's future with Pirates is the talk of Pittsburgh, but the ship isn't out to sea just yet. Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy said "Right now, I don't think the manager is the reason we as a team are not playing well. We as a team need to play the way we're capable of playing. That's the bottom line."

If the Mets trade a marquee everyday player, the likely goner is Roberto Alomar. The hope has to be that opposing teams haven't noticed his off-and-on effort and will rely on misleadingly acceptable statistics. The Cardinals reportedly offered Fernando Viña, who makes plenty ($6 million to Alomar's $9 million) and is performing much worse. Scouts are talking about how far Alomar has fallen, so it's going to be hard to fool someone. Word is, the Mets will try hard.

The approval of new Anaheim Angels owner Arturo Moreno has led to speculation that he'll make a splash in the free-agent market next winter to upgrade the defending world champions. Superstars Miguel Tejada and Vladimir Guerrero are likely to be available in what promises to be an uncertain free-agent market. Tejada might be a good fit.

The Diamondbacks would love to deal shortstop Tony Womack, who has lost his position to Alex Cintron

Despite several names being bandied about in rumors, GM Brian Cashman said the Yankees are not targeting any specific relievers for bullpen help. Interestingly, Toronto RHP Kelvim Escobar, considered a possible future Yankee, has now joined the Jays' rotation and will start today in Kansas City.

Tony Womack would like to finish what he started. Womack began his professional career with the Pirates in 1991. He would like nothing more than to end it with them, too. "I've thought a lot about Pittsburgh," Womack said Friday before his Arizona Diamondbacks prepared to the play the Pirates at Bank One Ballpark. "I'd love to go back there. I'd love to play in Pittsburgh again." Womack paused. "But the situation would have to be right," he said.

The Mets quietly began a new first base experiment yesterday, but like the last one, it comes with its own set of circumstances. Former first baseman Cliff Floyd -- borrowing one of Mike Piazza's new first base gloves -- took ground balls during batting practice in preparation for playing the position some time during this season.

Tampa Bay has the first pick in June's draft. The Devils Rays have narrowed that pick to three -- infielder Rickie Weeks of Southern University; California high schooler Delmon Young, brother of Detroit's Dimitri Young; and outfielder Ryan Harvey of Dunedin High, a St. Petersburg, Fla., suburb.

As baseball's June amateur draft nears, the Royals are sitting anxiously with the No. 5 pick, likely hoping that high school sensation Ryan Harvey might fall to them. Though Harvey is not related to Royals rookie Ken Harvey, he does share an imposing physical presence. Ryan Harvey is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound outfielder from Dunedin High School in Florida. Some scouts have rated his power potential level on par with Mark McGwire. Harvey routinely has been socking 400-foot homers.

Mets catcher Mike Piazza is going to be out for a while with a pulled groin. Asst GM Jim Duquette said "wouldn't characterize it as completely torn," but the Mets refused to speculate on a return date. Don't expect to see him for at least a month and probably six to eight weeks.

Unable to work through his slump in the batter's box, Orioles center fielder Gary Matthews will examine it from the bench. Matthews has been removed from the lineup for an indefinite period. Melvin Mora replaced him last night. Not playing last night, he is hitting .146 (7-for-48) in his past 13 games, leaving his average at .208. Because he's out of minor league options, the Orioles can't send him down without exposing him to waivers.

Cubs pitcher Mark Prior wasn't afraid to lay down a rather bold challenge to the Cardinals after the Cubs edged them 2-1 Saturday. He was just as formidable talking afterward as he was on the mound, an enthusiastic proponent of the theory that this is a team of Dustiny. "I think we are better than them,'' he said. "Personally, I think we are better than everybody. If you don't think that, then there's no point in playing the game.''

Montreal Expos right-hander Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury and now may be out the rest of the season. It's not much a problem to the Expos, since they are doing just fine without him, and the Yankees are paying Hernandez's salary anyway.

Roger Clemens is the greatest pitcher of all-time. If that did not annoy enough folks, then let me go a little further to assure that my mail in-box will be overstuffed: Clemens, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez are the four best ever. They stand out because they are fighting the equivalent of a modern, high-tech war with bows and arrows, and not only triumphing, but doing so decisively.

How the 2003 Tigers compare to the expansion New York Mets of 1962, the worst team in baseball history: Tigers' 40-game record: 9-31 after Saturday's loss to the Seattle Mariners. Mets' record after 40 games: 12-28.

Don't be surprised if veteran right-hander James Baldwin, currently starting at Omaha, shows up in the Royals' bullpen before long.

Right-handed reliever Pat Mahomes was recalled by the Pirates from Nashville yesterday, and left-handed reliever Dennys Reyes, the seventh man in the bullpen, was designated for assignment.

The Milwaukee Brewers are looking into the possibility of shutting down the upper deck at Miller Park during games that are sparsely attended this season, a team official says. "Yes, we're looking at it," Richard Cox, the Brewers' vice president of stadium operations, confirmed Thursday. "But there are lots of implications. We are reviewing our options and we'll explain them to our staff." Closing off sections of the park would eliminate the need to staff them for those games.

Don't look for them to trade him anytime soon, but . . . the New York Yankees' winning percentage since the beginning of the 1996 season, Derek Jeter's first full season in the majors, through his return to the lineup Tuesday was slightly better -- .652 vs. .606 -- when Jeter didn't play.

Dave Hollins told Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that he would not make the team's trip to Charlotte this weekend. Sources say Hollins, who played on the Phillies' 1993 World Series team, is considering retirement after the Phillies did not promote him last week when they placed Tyler Houston on the disabled list.

The saga of two-sport prospect Roscoe Crosby took an odd turn earlier this week when he left extended spring training in Arizona with the intention to return to Clemson. The Royals regard Crosby's departure as a decision to quit baseball, but his mother and agent indicated he merely wants to keep his options open.

Seattle pitching prospect Ryan Anderson, a 6-foot-10 lefty dubbed "Little Unit" for his resemblance to the Big Unit, Randy Johnson, will probably never start a game in the majors. After missing the last two years with shoulder problems, he is unable to throw over the top without pain and is about to try a sidearm motion. He will probably have to try to get to the majors as a situational reliever.

Remember Matt Harrington, the high school pitcher the Twins backed off drafting because he was too expensive? He was drafted by Colorado in 2000, but his demands were too high. He was drafted by San Diego in 2001, but failed to sign, too. Same thing in 2002 with Tampa Bay. Harrington, a former Saints pitcher, is 0-0 with a 7.50 ERA in three relief appearances for Forth Worth of the Independent Central League. He's still only 21, but he has a tough road ahead. Fort Worth, by the way, is managed by former Twins and Saints coach Wayne Terwilliger.

When Houston Astros closer Billy Wagner realized his room phone at the team hotel in Philadelphia was receiving calls meant for the guest services line, he decided to have a little fun with it, according to the Houston Chronicle. "[Guests] would call to ask me for their luggage, and I'd tell them to go get it themselves," Wagner said. "People would tell me they were going to call my manager. I'd say, 'Good, 'cause I have something to tell him, too.' "

NFL Rumors & Notes

Redskins three-time Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey, is miffed that he can be a free agent after 2003, with no extension talks even hinted at yet and the 'Skins already over the projected '04 salary cap. "I'll be gone," Bailey said.

Rams wide receiver Torry Holt is attending Rams minicamp despite stalled negotiations on a new contract with the team. Holt's agent did not want him to participate in camp without a new deal.

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells runs his first veteran mini-camp starting tomorrow. The 'Boys did not draft a quarterback and with Brian Griese likely headed to Miami after he's cut by Denver in June, it appears Parcells will try to win with Chad Hutchinson. The Cowboys not bringing in a veteran QB is one of the biggest surprises of the offseason

How can anybody assume the Colts, whom Jim Irsay hasn't committed to Indianapolis beyond this coming season, will remain through the rest of the lease? How can anybody be inspired to invest in season tickets for a team that may not be here in 2004, or 2006 and beyond? Until we hear those words, the Colts go into 2003 as lame ducks. Until we hear those words, the harsh suspicion will linger that the Colts might be going to Los Angeles.

San Francisco dumped quarterback Cade McNown, who was released. The 49ers became the third club in less than two years to give up on him. Entering the picture is running back Rashaan Salaam, who is at the team's Santa Clara, Calif., facility for a weekend tryout.

The Eagles' decision to sign Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins to a seven-year, $43 million contract two weeks ago all but assures that one of their veteran cornerbacks won't be back after next season. Both Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor are entering the final year of their contracts

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is "comfortable" with rookie QB Carson Palmer being No. 2 behind Jon Kitna , making it likely Akili Smith will be a post-June 1 casualty. Will the Bengals let Smith go and sign a solid free agent veteran with the likes of Shane Matthews or Kent Graham as the No. 2 quarterback?

The injury saga continued for Rams first-round pick Jimmy Kennedy on Saturday, when an MRI revealed a bone bruise on the outside of his left knee. "It's significant for him because it's very painful, but it's nothing structural that would inhibit him," coach Mike Martz said.

Former Browns general manager Dwight Clark has been linked often to the Carolina Panthers franchise because he played at Clemson and is friends with Mark Richardson, son of the team owner. But when Jack Bushofsky retired as director of player personnel, the Panthers decided to fill the position internally.

The Ravens are planning to use a new defensive scheme to regain their old reputation. With the arrival of first-round pick Terrell Suggs, the Ravens expect to make more of a commitment to a 3-4 alignment to boost them back among the NFL's elite defenses.

The Browns have begun preliminary talks to restructure the contract of Courtney Brown. The Browns have to create about $3 million in salary-cap room to sign their rookie draft choices. Brown, coming off complex knee surgery, is not expected to be cleared to practice full throttle until the July training camp.

If the Jets find a way to get their retractable roof stadium on the West Side, then New York will be a virtual certainty to be awarded the Super Bowl in 2011. But the focus right now is getting the game to Giants Stadium in 2008. There are two major impediments: A financing plan must be in place soon for the estimated $250 million renovation of Giants Stadium - and that's not close to happening. And NFL owners must vote to put the Super Bowl in an open-air stadium in a cold weather site for the first time, which is going to take serious lobbying.

Former Giants RB Dave Meggett, a Bill Parcells favorite, will be a minority intern coach for the Cowboys this summer.

Who Knew? 25 percent of the head coaches in the AFC were born and raised in and around Pittsburgh, which apparently is the true cradle of coaching. Wannstedt, Bill Cowher, Marvin Lewis, and Marty Schottenheimer all grew up around the Steel City, as did Haslett. They are a combined 382-285-2, a winning percentage of .572.

In no particular order, here are Gil Brandt's early choices for the top five picks in the 2004 NFL draft (seniors only): Roy Williams, WR, Texas; Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi; Matt Schaub, QB, Virginia; Will Smith, DE, Ohio State; Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin. Brandt's player to keep an eye on: Ryan Dinwiddie, QB, Boise State.

Did you know? Browns QB Nate Hybl, the undrafted free agent from Oklahoma, has his own radio talk show in Norman, Okla.

A group alleging to consist of members of the NFL Referees Association -- which represents the 119 game officials, part-time league employees who have day jobs such as lawyers, dentists, teachers and insurance salesmen -- recently sent Paul Tagliabue a scathing letter in defense of the fired officials, promising the issue "will not die." The letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Star-Ledger, asserts the eight officials "have been made the scapegoat" for "over-paid supervisors, most of who (sic) are unqualified." Age discrimination. The NFLRA charges the league is trying to make its officials younger or more photogenic for television cameras. The league strongly denies this.

Dolphins RB Ricky Williams' jersey was the second-best selling in the NFL last season, trailing Chicago's Brian Urlacher and just ahead of Michael Vick, Warren Sapp and Donovan McNabb. Zach Thomas was 18th.

NBA Rumors & Notes

Could hot-head Rasheed Wallace play disciplined ball for Miami Heat coach Pat Riley , feared and revered as the league's toughest disciplinarian? We may find out if insiders are correct in saying the Heat would be willing to trade Brian Grant, a better rebounder and defender, to the Trail Blazers for Wallace, a better shooter.

At power forward, the Lakers will go after free agents P.J. Brown, Keon Clark and Juwan Howard, in that order. Any of the three might jump at the chance to play alongside Shaq for the $4.5 million exception.

The Lakers need a big, physical power forward who doesn't require double-team help. Karl Malone and Alonzo Mourning will be offered the mid-level exception, as will Dale Davis and P.J. Brown. When all else fails, there's always Juwan Howard. Odds are L.A. will get one of them to take it. The Lakers also need a shooter such as Jon Barry or Lucious Harris or Voshon Lenard.

If Scottie Pippen, whose 208 career playoff games are second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 237, doesn't re-sign with the Blazers or receive a front-office offer from another team, he thinks he can help a title contender such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets or Detroit Pistons because of his defensive skills and experience.

It has become an annual rite of spring. The 76ers lose in the playoffs. Players disperse for a long vacation. Larry Brown contemplates quitting. On the summer to-do list, re-signing Kenny Thomas is the team's No. 1 priority, GM Billy King said. Less certain is the status of unrestricted free agents Derrick Coleman, Tyrone Hill and Brian Skinner.

Those who are pushing University of Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins for the Cavs' head-coaching job laugh off whispers that Huggins would have trouble dealing with rich, ego-bloated NBA players. If anything, they say, Huggins' biggest strength as an NBA coach would be handling pro players, largely because the fiery Cincy boss wouldn't overreact if a player occasionally exchanged words with him.

The Raptors are set to replace Lenny Wilkens with Kevin O'Neill, who spent one year with the Knicks as an assistant and is currently Rick Carlisle's top aide in Detroit.

Celtics GM Danny Ainge will be looking for a minimum level point guard - certainly not anyone in the salary ballpark of a playmaker like restricted free agent Andre Miller. That could mean making another pitch for on-the-move-again Travis Best, or checking into more expensive propositions like restricted free agent Jason Terry, or Portland's Antonio Daniels. Even Erick Strickland or Kevin Ollie, a proven journeyman, may not look that bad for the right price. Kenny Anderson or Brian Shaw, anyone?

Michael Jordan and Memphis make sense. How about at least a phone call to gauge interest in joining Jerry West to form the most powerful front office in basketball.

After all that bluster about leaving Salt Lake City, Karl Malone is open to the idea of re-signing with the Jazz for two years. If so, John Stockton might not be far behind. His kids want him to play another season. If he comes back for Year No. 20, look for restricted free agent Andre Miller to re-sign with the Clippers for one year. Then in 2004, when Stockton calls it quits, the Jazz could sign Miller, a college star at Utah, as an unrestricted free agent to take over for him.

The New York Post reports that New Jersey Nets ownership recently reached out to Madison Square Garden Guru James Dolan and offered to become a tenant, not to mention the best basketball team in the Mecca of Basketball, but Dolan told the Nets to stay on their side of the river.

The Cavs have had preliminary discussions with both Jeff Van Gundy and Paul Silas. Those are the only two candidates that are under serious consideration to become the next coach. Owner Gordon Gund has aggressively been in contact with both and seems determined to sign one of them.

Who Knew? The two worst teams in the NBA the Nuggets and Cavs combined have less than a 50 percent chance of getting the first pick in the NBA draft.

When San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich showed up for work Friday, he said he was surprised he had to go into a meeting. ''I didn't know we had to play some more rounds,'' he cracked. ''I thought if you beat the Lakers, it was over, they give you a trophy and you go on vacation.''

New Boston exec Danny Ainge has his eye on Rick Carlisle to become his coach in two years. Jim O'Brien has one year left, while Carlisle still hasn't been offered an extension by the Pistons.

Getting a head coach, according to Hornets executive vice president of basketball operations Bob Bass, is the team's No. 1 priority. Hiring a general manager, the man who, in the New Orleans front office, oversees college scouting and implementation of the college draft, is priority No. 2.

The Pistons have long memories and they are still quietly seething over a remark made more than a month ago by Nets forward Richard Jefferson. Jefferson had singled the Pistons out as the most overrated team in the league. "Some things have been said that have kind of made this personal," Pistons guard Chucky Atkins said. "It's the same old story. Nobody has given us a chance this year. Comments were made about us earlier in the year, by Jefferson and other people over there. But we're the number-one seed and we're just going to come out and play basketball.

In addition to 31 international players, 42 collegians and high schoolers have applied for early entry into the NBA draft. Some, like Carmelo Anthony of Syracuse and LeBron James of St. Vincent-St. Mary High, are well-known. But there are others. Simeon Naydenov of Louisville. Nick Zachery of Arkansas-Little Rock. Richard Jeter of Atlanta Metropolitan College. Heard of them? Doubtful. And probably you won't.

Phil Jackson failed in his bid for a 10th NBA coaching championship, which would have broken a tie with former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, when the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs. Auerbach all but lit up one of his famous victory cigars over the fall of the three-time champions. ''Doing it with one team is tougher,'' Auerbach said. ``He waited for a great team to take over. That's not as much of a challenge as building one yourself.''

The NBA draft is a three-horse race: "The gap from three to four is as wide as the Grand Canyon," one Western Conference executive told The Post. "There's three big-timers. If you're four, it's like being fourth at Aqueduct. You can't cash the ticket." The three gems are high school superstar LeBron James, Syracuse small forward Carmelo Anthony and Yugoslavian center Darko Milicic, whom one executive calls "Raef LaFrentz with toughness."

Nets forward Kenyon Martin has a secret. He of the seven flagrant fouls and the eight tattoos and the nine hundred tempestuous outbursts is actually a nice guy, the kind of guy who routinely picks up the check at dinner, who laughs at the good parts of bad movies, who lends his buddy a suit and then says "just keep it."

Remember Chris Marcus, the Western Kentucky giant who was considered a potential top 10 pick just two years ago? He may never play again. The stress fracture in his left ankle in the fall of 2001 has never quite healed, two surgeries have failed, and the swelling remains, which will prevent him from working out for teams before the draft.

College Rumors & Notes

Their futures at stake, Big East athletic directors and football coaches pledged to keep the conference intact Saturday. Whether that is wishful thinking will begin to be revealed this morning, when commissioner Mike Tranghese presents his plan for keeping the University of Miami from bolting to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Wayne Morgan, the man who has been charged with healing the wounds in the Iowa State basketball program in the wake of Larry Eustachy's resignation, is a former Xavier assistant under Bob Staak.

Former University of Cincinnati All-American Steve Logan, who did not sign with the Golden State Warriors last year after being selected by them in the second round of the NBA draft, remains a man without a team.

Odd Notes & Stuff

The Flames traded Jean-Sebastien Giguere to the Mighty Ducks for a second-round pick in June 2000. Wonder what "Jiggy," as they call him in Anaheim, would command now in a trade? "I think they did what they had to do," Giguere said recently in an NHL conference call. "At that time I wasn't ready to play in the NHL and [Calgary] needed somebody that was ready to go.

Eric Lindros' future on Broadway has been called into even more question with the information gained by Slap Shots that Glen Sather late last month asked No. 88's agent, Carl Lindros, to consider restructuring his son's contract for next season.

The NHL is far from a favorite, especially with two underdogs in the Western Conference finals. Television ratings for postseason games are down, and many are blaming the elimination of the more familiar teams in the first two rounds of the playoffs. According to published reports, NHL ratings are down 21 percent on ABC, 14 percent on ESPN and 20 percent on ESPN2. And it's not as though the league had a whole lot of viewers last season.

It could be the end for veteran Detroit forward Igor Larionov. At 42, he was the oldest player in the NHL this season, and the Red Wings seem more interested in bringing in youth than keeping Larionov on the payroll, especially given the defending champions' ouster in the first round by Anaheim.

If Annika Sorenstam should win next week's Colonial tournament on the PTGA (Professional Testosterone Golf Association) Tour -- it would be one of the greatest upsets in the history of history. If fact, the mere thought apparently is impossible for Vegas to even consider -- and Vegas will consider anything for a wager. Bally's oddsmakers offer an over/under on her opening round of 74.5 on the par-70 course. They also have 11-1 if you want to bet that she will post a better score than Vijay in the first round. As for winning it, the closest wager I could find was 51-1 odds on Annika making the top five

Cable rivals HBO and Showtime co-produced this much-anticipated, hotly debated showdown between two of the heavyweight division's premier fighters of the 1990s -- champion Lennox Lewis and former titleholder Mike Tyson. The two squared off in Memphis, Tenn., on June 8, 2002. The Tale of Lewis-Tyson will be shown Wednesday at 10 p.m. on HBO.

Rick Rhoden looks at Jesse Orosco and figures there is an easier way to make a couple of hundred thousand when you're around 50 years old. That's why Rhoden wants to earn a spot on the Champions Tour, playing golf against -- how can we say this charitably? -- old men.

A stray kick from Bill Goldberg blasted Bret "Hitman" Hart squarely in the head and led to a serious concussion and subsequent retirement from active competition in early 2000. Two years later, Hart suffered a mild stroke after a bicycling accident and resulted in limited control of the left side of his body. He is expected to make a full recovery.
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