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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

The Braves, if they're willing to spend extra money, could get first baseman Jim Thome from the Indians and that could negate what the Expos did last week.

The Cardinals have devoted the last several days to what is both obvious and excruciating -- finding a starting pitcher to replace Darryl Kile. Names such as Jeff Weaver, Ismael Valdez, Chris Carpenter and Dave Burba have been mentioned.

In recent days, the Yankees have stepped up talks aimed at bringing Florida Marlins right fielder Cliff Floyd to the Bronx, according to officials with both teams. And since it now appears the Boston Red Sox may be interested in Floyd, the Yankees are more interested than ever.

The Mets may be ready to try to trade Robbie Alomar. He's struggling at the plate and last week got into a shouting match with teammate Roger Cedeno. Alomar was supposedly upset because Cedeno made fun of how Alomar looked in his rookie card with San Diego. Alomar is signed through 2003 and the Mets have shown no interest in extending his contract.

The Cubs Sammy Sosa gets upset after Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly tries to get him to take steroid test.

Jeff Kent might be only part of a massive winter housecleaning in San Francisco. Ownership hasn't bothered to negotiate with manager Dusty Baker, whose contract will be up. General manager Brian Sabean could be headed to his roots in Boston. Closer Robb Nen has a clause that would allow him to become a free agent. Both Reggie Sanders and David Bell have mutual options to depart after the season.

Denny Hocking, the Twins' representative to the Major League Baseball Players Association, will fly to Chicago on July 8 to take part in a union meeting. Hocking called it "a very significant meeting" that could include the announcement of a strike date.

San Francisco is looking for a run-producer and could be interested in a first baseman such as Texas' Rafael Palmeiro to replace slumping J.T. Snow.

When Gary Sheffield was asked about Montreal adding Bartolo Colon to its rotation, he gave a quizzical look and said, "Who is that?"

When Tribe General Manager Mark Shapiro was shopping Colon, he approached the Yankees and asked for first baseman Nick Johnson. New York politely declined.

The Phillies are cleaning house. At least, they're trying. They have let clubs know that third baseman Scott Rolen and pitchers Robert Person, Terry Adams and Dan Plesac, among others, are available.

While former Indians pitcher Bartolo Colon appears to be over the shock of being dealt to Montreal, there's another adjustment he might find a bit harder: working again with onetime Indians pitching coach Dick Pole, who now handles the Expos staff. It was no secret Pole, who spent two seasons with the Indians before his firing after the 2001 season, didn't relate or communicate well with Colon when both were in Cleveland. In fact, Pole's tough-guy, "I talk, you listen" approach with Colon often left the pitcher so alienated and low on confidence that the two often spoke only when necessary.

Keep an eye on Indians lefthanded reliever Ricardo Rincon. He's signed through next season ($1.7 million) but is likely to wind up elsewhere. Anaheim is a possible destination

Jeff Weaver must go before Tigers can win again

It looks like the Yankees are going to send Ted Lilly back to the bullpen after he was bombed against the Mets.

A look at the all-star talent available for the baseball trade market.

Arizona is interested in Antonio Alfonseca and the Cardinals have there eyes on the Phils Robert Person while Fred McGriff could be headed back to Atlanta.

Along with the Indians, several teams are preparing to become sellers, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs and, perhaps, even the Chicago White Sox. The AL Central was expected to be a three-team race this season, but the Minnesota Twins are currently the only AL Central club with a winning record, which is a poor reflection on the division given some of the doormats that exist in the league this season and in that division, in particular.

The Mets Edgardo Alphonzo tries to cool his alleged rift with Roberto Alomar.

Cubs catcher Todd Hundley, already a major target of Wrigley Field boobirds, is likely to catch even more heat after cameras caught him making an obscene gesture in the direction of the Reds dugout after hitting a home run. Hundley assured the Reds it wasn't directed at them; after first refusing to talk about it, Hundley claimed he was venting at a couple of hecklers

The eerie linkage to Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile, who died in his sleep in his hotel room in Chicago last week, and Padres outfielder Mike Darr, who was killed in a car crash in spring training, is something right out of the Twilight Zone. Kile's high school baseball coach was Darr's father, and Darr was Kile's batboy. Then, two years ago, when Kile won his 20th game for the Cardinals, the last batter he retired was Darr, on a strikeout.

Do fans west of the Mississippi give a hoot about the interboro battle? The ratings say they do. Mets-Yankees accounts for two of the top three rated games of ESPN's 125 Sunday night cablecasts since 1997, when interleague play began.

The players and manager are avoiding the topic, but it's clear the Reds have been a better team without Ken Griffey in the starting lineup. Through Friday, Cincinnati was 33-21 without the ailing centerfielder and 9-16 with him.

Mid-Season awards: Who are the MVP's, CY Young winners ext.

With the trade of Bartolo Colon is Cleveland going back to its Baseball roots. The Indians finished at least 11 games out of first place in every season from 1960 through 1993, except for 1981, when the season was divided into halves of 48 to 60 games - depending on how each team's schedule fell - because of the players strike. In 1981, the Indians finished 26-24, five games out of first in the season's "first half," and 26-27, five games out in the "second half."

Did You Know? The Brewers are shooting to become the only team to finish in last place in four divisions - the AL West, the AL East, the AL Central, and the NL Central.

Larry Dolan purchased the Indians for $323 million in the spring of 2000. His goal was to ``win several World Series-es, as in more than one.'' He overpaid for the team, and overestimated the talent level. He bought a high payroll that was past its prime. Because he dug so deep to acquire the franchise, he needed to keep winning to generate ticket sales.

Deposed Red Sox GM Dan Duquette says that he feels like the team was stolen from him when he was fired during spring training. ``It's like having an antique car and spending a lot of time restoring it, tinkering and tuning it up so it's running like a Ferrari,'' Duquette said. ``Then somebody steals it from your driveway.''

Sooner or later, someone was going to broach the ''We're-trying-too-hard'' theory to explain why the Red Sox can't get a big hit.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is leaning on Barry Bonds to give up his gig as pitchman for KFC popcorn chicken. PETA says those chickens are pumped up on harmful steroids. The chickens have indignantly denied using 'roids. They insist that their unusual size is a product of hard work in the weight room.

Kevin Millar's Friday-night flyball that stuck in a Tropicana Field catwalk is believed to be the sixth fair ball to defy gravity in a big-league ballpark.

Remember the White Sox's "white flag" spree of trades in 1997? First baseman Paul Konerko is bracing for a repeat.
"We can't have too many lapses," Konerko said. "Otherwise, there's no telling what the people who run this team will do. Sooner or later, (management) is going to get fed up and just do rash things. That's what I would do if I ran the team."

Cub Fire Sale? Fred McGriff, who has been producing of late, should be dealt while someone still might inherit his salary. Jason Bere, Antonio Alfonseca and Bill Mueller would bring returns.

Consider the Marlins believers in the axiom that some of the best trades are the ones you don't make. Remember the spring rumors that had Luis Castillo going to the Rangers in a package that would have brought back Frank Catalanotto? Or how about the one that had Brad Penny and Vic Darensbourg going to the Expos in a deal for Carl Pavano and Phillips?

J.D. Drew was not in the starting lineup Saturday for the third consecutive game because of a bum knee, and manager Tony La Russa raised the possibility of a trip to the disabled list.

Long Beach Breakers general manager Jerry Schoenfeld said pitcher Matt Harrington has been released outright from the independent Western League team. That could be good news for the Rays, who picked the right-hander in the 13th round of this month's draft and believe it best for Harrington's development to get in a structured minor-league program soon.

Before they signed with the Rockies for a combined $172 million in salary, lefthanded pitchers Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle had a combined record of 45-19 against the Rockies' rivals in the NL West. Since coming to Colorado, they are a combined 11-17.

Tigers pitcher Jeff Weaver will know if he is an All-Star today. He has pitched like an All-Star despite his below-.500 record.

The Chicago Cubs signed lefthanded reliever Travis Miller to a minor league contract Saturday. Miller, who has spent parts of seven seasons with the Twins, was placed on waivers June 26 for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Brian Giles could become a richer man later today when the All-Star rosters are announced. Giles has a clause in his contract that pays him an extra $500,000 in 2005 if he makes the All-Star team any three years during the life of his contract. That would increase his salary to $7.5 million in '05.

Here are the numbers that make Jim Thome's days in Cleveland appear fleeting. The Indians have 12 players under contract in 2003 who will make an estimated $50 million. Thome, who will seek between $10 million and $15 million a year this winter on the free-agent market, is not going to fit on that payroll unless the Indians use 15 players instead of the required 25.

Charles Johnson is unhappy with his diminished playing time, but there is substantial statistical evidence that supports manager Jeff Torborg’s decision to de-emphasize the catcher’s role.

Bob Boone to ask Reds starters to pitch longer. The key to the Reds' fortunes the second half will be tied to whether the starting pitchers can take the next step and pitch deeper into games.

The Tigers entered the game last night with the worst record (26-51) in the majors and out of the pennant race well before the All-Star break. Manager Luis Pujols called his players together Friday to deliver a message: "I wanted them to know I wasn't throwing in the towel."

Barring injury or another unexpected development, first baseman Richie Sexson and shortstop Jose Hernandez will represent the Milwaukee Brewers in the 73rd All-Star Game July 9 at Miller Park.

Former Big Leaguer Lee Smith asked if he will make the hall of fame: I don't know. It seems like the guys that vote, the older guys, like seeing those guys who go nine innings, the starters. That is not as much the case anymore in baseball. For closers, I don't really know the mandate, like say a number (certain amount of saves) to get into the Hall of Fame. I don't really know that. What I do know is the Yankees would not have won that many Series without Mariano Rivera.

Will Omar Vizquel regret staying in Cleveland?

Bill Robinson thinks he knows what ails some of the Marlins' big boppers: ``I think they're trying to hit balls to downtown Miami.'' Preston Wilson, Kevin Millar, Charles Johnson and, at times, Derrek Lee have struggled in clutch situations.

After the 29 players for each league's all-star teams are announced, five players chosen by Bob Brenly and Joe Torre will be posted at mlb.com and espn.com. Online voters will have two days to vote their choices. In regular all-star online voting, users could vote up to 25 times at mlb.com. The 30th men are to be announced Tuesday at mlb.com.

New York's All-Time Baseball Team.

NFL Rumors & Notes

D'Marco Farr has always said 2001 was a sabbatical and not a retirement, but unless General Manager Floyd Reese has a significant change of heart don't look for the Titans to sign the veteran defensive tackle. The 31-year-old former Pro Bowl selection was recently at the Titans complex to videotape a segment for Fox Sports Net's Best Damn Sports Show Period, on which Farr is a regular. He's since tried to spur some interest in a comeback, having even mentioned it on the air.

Former Saints linebacker Keith Mitchell is expected to choose between offers from Houston and Jacksonville sometime next week. The Texans are considered the favorite because of their 3-4 scheme, which suits Mitchell's playing style, and Houston is close to his hometown of Garland, Texas. . . .

Going by last year's records, the new Houston Texans have the easiest schedule (opponents won .441 percent of their games last year) and the San Francisco 49ers have the toughest. The 49ers' opponents won .543 percent of their games.

Despite Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's claims a new stadium is needed to replace the RCA Dome, a new poll of Marion County residents showed 71 percent disapproved of using tax dollars to finance a new arena.

Morten Andersen, the 42-year-old kicker who was signed by the Chiefs to replace Peterson when he bolted to Pittsburgh, signed just a one-year contract, but he's got a long-term goal in mind. ``I want to be the first guy in the history of the league to play until I'm 50,'' Anderson said. ``Eight more years with the Chiefs sounds fine to me.''

What's the big deal about tackle Sammy Williams leaving the Ravens to sign with the Chargers last week? Nothing really, except he's the 19th player to bolt from Baltimore during the offseason.

Drew Rosenhaus says he has cleaned up his act, after having been labeled a ''dark knight'' among agents.

After two minicamps, the Saints are gushing about first-round pick Donte Stallworth and already are comparing him with some of the league's best receivers.

NFL coaches have always feared phone calls bringing bad off-the-field news. Now add a positive ephedra test to the list.

With the growing problem of shoddy agent conduct costing too many of its members big money, the NFL Players Association recently hired a former state prosecutor and current player liaison for NFL security to aid it in building cases against agents charged with stealing money from clients and clients from rival agents.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Ford Field in Detroit.

NBA Rumors & Notes

The New Orleans Hornets can begin Monday negotiating for a contract extension with point guard Baron Davis and his new agent, Jerome Stanley. Davis, who could not be reached for comment, indicated through his Los Angeles-based agent that he would like to be traded to New York, Chicago or a team on the West Coast rather than sign a contract extension with the Hornets.

Memphis (Jerry West) is now interested in Devean George, The Lakers are looking at Malik Rose, and a host of other NBA free agent rumors.

The Lakers still hope to acquire another big guard through free agency -- such as Jim Jackson or Kendall Gill -- to handle the ball and free up Kobe Bryant to rest.

Lamar Odom would not have been in a Cavs uniform for long had he been traded on draft night. Odom, the source said, doesn't want to play for the Cavs because he's not interested in another rebuilding effort similar to the one the Clippers are involved in.

Pacers have some interest in Andre Miller and would like to find a way to deal Austin Croshere.

Detroit is expected to make a run at Clippers free agent Jeff McInnis. Other top free-agent point guards include Minnesota's Chauncey Billups and Chicago's Travis Best.

Donnie Nelson could find himself with a perplexing choice. Does he go to Denver to become the Nuggets' head coach? Or does he let Mavericks owner Mark Cuban persuade him to stay here, possibly at his father's expense?

The remote possibility remains of the Los Angeles Clippers accepting Eric Snow, Samuel Dalembert and a draft pick from the 76ers for Lamar Odom.

Picking Yao Ming might be good for Rockets and the world

Maybe they should be known as the Kmart Cavs. The Cavs appear more concerned now with saving money than winning.

The Grizzlies need a true center in stature. Jerome James (Seattle), Michael Doleac (Cleveland) and Scott Williams (Denver) are big men the Grizzlies will pursue.

Antonio McDyess showed up in Madison Square Garden preaching his desire to bring Jason Kidd to the Knicks. But Nets president Rod Thorn said he was confident the league would handle the matter without any urging on his part. At the very least, McDyess will be warned about tampering.

Tracy McGrady makes his movie debut.

The Celtics face a significant decision that cuts to the core of who they are and where they want to go. Does owner Paul Gaston break up the nucleus of the conference runner-up and publicly humiliate his basketball management team? Or does he swallow hard and agree to become a (gasp) big spender for a year - although not in the plutocratic company of Dallas's Mark Cuban or Portland's Paul Allen.

Don Chaney was not supposed to outlast Mark Jackson in New York, much less Marcus Camby. That was the general consensus in March even after management handed its embattled head coach a one-year contract extension. Now he could have a future in the big apple.

One NBA executive compared Dajuan Wagner to ``a young World B. Free. He likes to shoot too much, but he also can put the ball in the basket.''

Scott Layden tries to give the Knicks the same kind of makeover Steve Phillips gave the Mets last winter. Layden makes the same kind of big trade for Antonio McDyess that Phillips made for Mo Vaughn and Roberto Alomar. Maybe if the right deal comes along, Latrell Sprewell goes, too. Maybe Layden will hear the same kind of cheers during the offseason, the basketball summer, that Phillips heard during the winter in baseball. It is always a lot easier to look good when they aren't playing games.

Players selected in 2nd round of the NBA draft often make faster impact than the 1st-round picks.

Did You Know? The Clippers are about $13 million under the cap, with the Wizards and Bulls each about $5 million under. Everybody else is capped out, meaning 26 of the 29 teams will be limited to minimum money, or the $4.7 million "mid-level" exception.

With free agency, Heat thinking '03

College Rumors & Notes

Political football: Budget impasse could sack Vols

BCS missing important numbers: the score.

The Southeastern Conference, which has been looking for a new commissioner since Roy Kramer announced he was stepping down earlier this year, appears to have found its new leader. Conference USA Commissioner Mike Slive, 61, has been the rumored front-runner, and the Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville reported that he has been offered the job and could take it as early as this week.

Odd Notes & Stuff

Former Jets Pro-Bowl sack champion Mark Gastineau said that he has nixed a celebrity-boxing offer to fight ex-Bear William 'The Refrigerator' Perry.

Will the Rangers bring Bobby Holik, Curtis Joseph, Billy Guerin and Darius Kasparaitis to Broadway.

Tony Amonte could end up with the New York Islanders.

The Devils could have wrapped up Bobby Holik last summer for $35 million. Now it'll cost them much more to re-sign the free agent center.

Red Wings seek goalie, forward in free agency, If Chelios leaves, team might have to pursue another defenseman

Published reports in New York said Flyers general manager Bob Clarke would make free-agent goaltender Mike Richter a two-year, $8 million offer to leave the New York Rangers and return to the orange and black. Those reports are not true.

St. Louis is interested in making Bill Guerin feel Blue.

The Red Wings and Yankees who have a relationship, each team has the highest payroll in its respective sport.

Theo Fleury's days in New York officially ended last week when his rights were shipped to the Sharks in a minor deal. The Sharks aren't likely to sign him - especially for his $7 million option - but they pick up a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere. Likeliest spots: either Phoenix (with ol' pal Wayne Gretzky) or Chicago.

Since moving to Downtown Victory Field in 1996, the Indianapolis Indians have continually finished in the top 10 nationally in minor-league attendance. The International League team reported $1.3 million in profits last year and $1.4 million in 2000.

Wladimir Klitschko hoped a convincing defense of his WBO heavyweight title against Ray Mercer last night would bring widespread attention in U.S.AP

Because self-promotion has always been one of Chris Berman's strong points, SportsCenter's "Plays of the Week," last Sunday night, anchored by Berman, included three clips of Berman hitting practice golf shots at the Greater Hartford Open. In other words, three athletes who did something noteworthy were eliminated from ESPN's "Plays of the Week" in order to indulge Berman.

San Francisco Sports Radio Sucks because of Mismanagement!

Golf on radio not as strange as it sounds

WWE dilemma: Major changes or major consequences
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