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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

Despite the Mets' $100 million crash and burn, Bobby Valentine and Steve Phillips will be back in their jobs next season, according to sources familiar with the thinking of both co-owner Fred Wilpon and his soon-to-be powerful son Jeff Wilpon.

Kenny Rogers of the Rangers ripped the Cleveland Indians for saying he scuffed the ball. "A bunch of junk," Rogers said. "The saddest part is when you get beat, you're supposed to take it like a man. They never said a word when they were beating my tail and scoring six or seven runs off me. I didn't whine and ask the umps to check their bats. I took it like a man, not a baby. "They have a history. They've been caught corking their bats." Former Indians player Albert Belle was caught with a corked bat in 1995. "Think he was the only one? Please," Rogers said.

The Mike Hampton -to-the-Cubs rumor may have some substance. The word is that new Cubs general manager Jim Hendry would be willing to take on the last six years and $84.5 million of Hampton's contract if the Rockies would take Todd Hundley's contract.

A new labor agreement between players and owners is a huge prerequisite, but many club executives think the Aug. 31 trade deadline could end up being more active and interesting than the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Because nobody is claiming expensive players, there will be some high-profile players available for trade, including Ivan Rodriguez, Matt Lawton, Ellis Burks, Livan Hernandez, Denny Neagle, Mike Hampton, Scott Erickson, Keith Foulke and Roberto Hernandez.

Marvin Miller the former MLBPA head on a report that baseball has lost millions. "That's the biggest joke of the century," he said, laughing. "While [Selig] says this, the Montreal club, a so-called failing team, was bought by Major League Baseball for $120 million. The Boston Red Sox sold for $660 million, and that wasn't even the high bid. To claim this is evidence of poverty is absurd."

Because of his age (38) and the number of walks he receives, San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds thinks Hank Aaron’s record of 755 home runs is out of reach for him. So, who does he think can break Aaron’s record? Try Texas shortstop Alex Rodriquez.

This ball was scuffed. No doubt about it. Texas first baseman Rafael Palmeiro sent it to Indians outfielder Milton Bradley yesterday morning. It was ripped and gouged and covered with pine tar and Vaseline. The forged autograph on it said, "To Milton Bradley, Best Wishes, Kenny Rogers." "They were trying to make light of it, but everyone knows he was scuffing the ball," Bradley said after the Indians' 4-3 victory yesterday. "I wanted them to play the film of it on the video board when Texas was stretching at 11:15 today. But [Indians interim manager] Joel Skinner said he didn't want to get anyone fired."

Quote of the Day "I think it's going to show the public that there's not that many guys on steroids." - Florida Marlins outfielder Preston Wilson, on the players association agreeing to have its members tested for steroid use.

The Orioles, who are not expected to pick up the option on Mike Bordick's contract for 2003, will need to find a shortstop this winter, and one early candidate could be Jose Hernandez, an all-star this season with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hernandez, who makes $3 million this season, is not expected to re-sign.

Livan Hernandez is listed as the probable starter for Wednesday's game in Atlanta, but his days in the rotation may be numbered. Team sources said the Giants are toying with the idea of moving the inconsistent starter to the bullpen unless he shows some improvement.

Tony Pena and the Royals are considering a six-man rotation to close the season.

Pedro Martinez' 2-0 victory over the Twins yesterday allowed him to join Red Sox teammate Derek Lowe as the only 16-game winners in the American League. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who is 15-0 vs. AL teams, said that he's pulling for his teammate to win the award this year. ``I am pushing him,'' Martinez said.

Mets manager Bobby Valentine has had it with critics of Mike Piazza's defense. "Mike's like a beautiful girl who has a little blemish on her cheek," Valentine said. "Instead of seeing the whole beautiful girl and person that the girl is, those who want to criticize will mention the blemish. And it's usually not only those who criticize, but those who are jealous that they don't have that type of beauty.".

Expos manager Frank Robinson says, given the choice, he would take a dominant closer over a dominant starter. "I don't think a pitcher can be your Most Valuable Player. Only a position player would be the MVP. But I think a closer can be the most valuable component on your pitching staff."

According to research, of the 14 wild-card teams since the concept was introduced in 1995, just two have overcome Aug. 1 deficits of more than 31/2 games. The '96 Orioles were 41/2 games out, while last year's Cardinals were six games out. Not exactly encouraging news for the Mets, huh?

Let's clear up the debate once and for all. Barry Bonds is the greatest player to ever wear a Pirates uniform. He is not the greatest Pirate.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' lineup card from Friday night's game, in which Barry Bonds hit his 600th homer, was stolen from Giants manager Dusty Baker's office that night, Baker said yesterday.

Look for fired Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel to end up with the Rockies in some capacity. Manuel is tight with Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd.

Wednesday was the three-year anniversary of the only memorable moment in Devil Rays history: Wade Boggs' 3,000th hit. Of the 15 players in the game for the Rays that night, only C John Flaherty and RHP Esteban Yan are still with the team.

Toronto rookie Mark Hendrickson, 27, joined a pretty rare group when he pitched a third of an inning Tuesday in Toronto's 14-12 win vs. the Mariners. He became the 10th man to play in both the major leagues and the NBA. He joins Danny Ainge, Gene Conley, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Groat, Frankie Baumholtz, Cotton Nash, Ron Reed, Chuck Connors and Steve Hamilton as the only baseball/basketball double dribblers.

The A's lost Johnny Damon, Jason Isringhausen and - most noteworthy - Jason Giambi to the Yanks. Yet, they are en route to a fourth straight year of better than 87 wins and a third straight over 90. The big-market Cubs have reached 90 wins three times in the last 32 years.

The Yankees have not exactly been overwhelmed by Jeff Weaver 's early antics. They like him well enough, but can't figure out why their prized new right-hander makes six or seven terrible pitches a game that usually end up in the seats.
Which brings us to the subject of Dan Warthen, a former Tigers pitching coach who was let go in April. If Mel Stottlemyre carries through with retirement talk at the end of this season, it would not be surprising to see the Yankees peg Warthen as their new pitching coach.

Alfonso Soriano needs just two home runs to become the first second baseman in major-league history to reach 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season, and only the second middle infielder. He would become only the second Yankee to accomplish the feat. The other? Bobby Bonds in 1975.

Don't count on the stumbling Red Sox coming back and beating the Yankees, but Sawx owner Tom Werner is making quite the comeback with NBC's girl next door Katie Couric. The cutesy couple appeared at life-is-beautiful Del Mar Racetrack, just north of San Diego, last Saturday. While the former Padres owner is not a popular man in SoCal, Kuddly Katie wowed the crowd, signing autographs half the day. Trackman Joe Harper has been at Del Mar since 1977 and said Katie was terrific. "In all the years I've been here the only person to draw a bigger crowd was John Wayne," an admiring Harper said.

According to Major League Baseball, the game's demographics are changing dramatically with 26.1% of all players on opening day rosters from foreign countries. In other words, one-fourth of all major leaguers were never subject to the draft and were fair game for every club. Ironically, the MLB-owned Expos have probably had the most success in procuring Latin America talent, but that's a credit to their superior scouting, not their financial resources.

With all due respect to the closers who have dominated throughout baseball this season and in years past, maybe it's time to acknwoledge the obvious: There may be no more meaningless statistic in baseball than the save. As one reader pointed out in a recent letter, Red Sox right-hander Willie Banks was credited with a save in the Sox' 22-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first game of a doubleheader on July 23. Such occasions are admittedly rare, though baseball currently has no provision to prevent a save from being awarded under such ridiculous circumstances.

Sue Boone, Bob's wife and Aaron's mother, picked the wrong son to watch play Friday. She went to Matt's Single-A game in Dayton. Aaron, of course, hit three home runs. “She missed all the fireworks,” Bob said. “We were up until 3 in the morning watching SportsCenter. She kept wanting to see it again.”

The Baltimore Orioles actually gave out Chuck Thompson bobblehead dolls on Wednesday night. Chuck Thompson? He's the locally legendary Orioles announcer. The bobblehead dolls were equipped with a computer chip that allows the doll to repeat some of Thompson's famous expressions, such as, "Ain't the beer cold."

The 1982 Brewers not only were the most talented team in the 33-year history of the franchise, they may have been the wackiest. Twenty years ago, the Brewers smashed 216 home runs and led the majors in tomfoolery

NFL Rumors & Notes

Bryan Cox of the Saints says the Patriots didn't treat him well. He said he received a letter from Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli last week in which Pioli tried to explain why the team didn't re-sign its former cocaptain. Cox wasn't having any of it. ''I'm not buying that [expletive],'' said Cox. ''I'm still bitter. Things were handled very poorly. I have a real problem with Pioli and that `Asinchuck' guy [Andy Wasynczuk, chief operating officer]. I've been around a lot of organizations, and even though they won the Super Bowl, that wasn't one of the better ones.''

With the Chiefs in his neighborhood, unsigned tight end Tony Gonzalez paid a visit Saturday night. Gonzalez chatted amiably with teammates and club officials on the sideline during warmups before the Chiefs played the San Francisco 49ers in their exhibition opener at Candlestick Park. "I'm just here saying hello," said Gonzalez, who refused further comment.

HBO wanted to feature the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots this summer in its Hard Knocks series. The Patriots said no. So did the Philadelphia Eagles. So it's Jerry Jones, Dave Campo and Chad Hutchinson filling up your small screen – not Jeff Lurie, Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.

The great fear of preseason became painful reality for the Browns on Saturday night. Pro Bowl linebacker Jamir Miller tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of the 27-15 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the Metrodome. The team would not say how long Miller would be out, but Achilles tears usually sideline a player for the season.

Bengals LB Brian Simmons is close to a five-year contract extension.

Coach Tom Coughlin said he doesn't expect to get involved in the Jaguars' negotiations with holdout WR Jimmy Smith, whose contract stalemate is in its 17th day. Neither side is reporting progress in the dispute.

The Washington Redskins seem to be focusing on potential trades in their bid to acquire a guard capable of moving into their starting lineup. According to sources, the Redskins have not ruled out signing a guard from among the veterans currently out of work, a group that includes Ray Brown, Glenn Parker, Ben Coleman and Matt Campbell.

Seattle's Trent Dilfer, named the No.1 quarterback in the offseason, crumpled to the stadium turf after taking a vicious hit from two Indianapolis Colts, clutching his right knee in obvious pain. Dilfer had to be helped off the field and was taken to the locker room on a cart.

The Steelers are starting to give the Pats credit for their victory at Heinz Field in the AFC Championship Game. Sort of. They've come away from the ``it was just plain luck'' theory and are now crediting the Pats coaching staff for providing their players accurate reads on what plays the Steelers were about to run. Steelers receiver Hines Ward, among others, said the Patriots would bellow what his offense was about to run - or pass - and where the play was going, and they were right most of the time.

Rob Johnson made his choice, now he's trying to force Bucs coach Jon Gruden to pick "flashy'' ahead of "consistent.''

One of the last things the Washington Redskins wanted to see during a preseason game was left tackle Chris Samuels being helped to the sideline, unable to walk off the field alone because of an ankle injury. They had to endure that sight tonight but were relieved to find out that Samuels had only a sprained left ankle. Samuels will be out 2 to 3 weeks.

Quote of the day From Giants linebacker Micheal Barrow, talking about the lick rookie tight end Jeremy Shockey delivered in the preseason opener Monday against the Texans: "I hate to say it because he's a rookie, and I don't want to say it too prematurely, but he is special."

10 Questions with Shawn Marion of the Miami Dolphins.

Zach Thomas has seen enough. The middle linebacker has declared the Dolphins' defensive line the best he has had in his six NFL years in terms of pass rushing. "They're playing great," Thomas said. "I know it's early, but they're just making plays five yards in the backfield. When they come, they come. I think the pass rush is way better than what it ever has been."

One of the most amazing statistics in sports is Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre's consecutive game streak. Since moving into the lineup in the fourth game of the 1992 season, he has started 157 consecutive regular-season games and 173, counting the playoffs.

Under new rules, artificial noise at NFL venues will be severely cut back this season, assuring offenses an opportunity to hear themselves in the huddle.

Jets Linebacker Sam Cowart took part in no-contact practice yesterday, but Jets don't know when he'll be ready for game action.

Did You Know? When Cleveland signed guard Barry Stokes in free agency, the Browns became his eighth NFL team in six years...

Hall of Fame RB Gale Sayers, who knows a thing or three about knee injuries ending a career, doesn't think former league MVP Terrell Davis of the Broncos has much time left on his NFL clock: "I'll tell you what, Terrell's had three knee surgeries and this is eighth season - his days are numbered, simple as that. His days are numbered."

Wide receiver Terrence Wilkins signed with the Rams to take over the No. 3 spot, once held by Az-Zahir Hakim. Wilkins played in the Colts' offense, which isn't exactly a conservative attack, but it's nothing like the Rams'. "They make it look so easy, watching it on TV," Wilkins said. "But then when you really get into it, and learn the whole playbook, it's kind of complicated. It's all about repetition, and just doing it. That's why you have two-a-days."

Shaun Hill's improbable success story is about to add another intriguing chapter. Signed as a free agent after the draft, the former Maryland standout is running slightly ahead of veteran Spergon Wynn for the third quarterback job with the Minnesota Vikings, behind Daunte Culpepper and Todd Bouman.

Jets coach Herm Edwards attended his first Yankee game Friday night and walked away from the "House that Ruth Built" with an appreciation of why the Bronx Bombers have been so successful. Edwards said he'd like to instill that feeling of pride in the Jets. "When you go there, you understand why they win," Edwards said. "You sit in the dugout and those players come by you and you shake their hand and talk to them, you say, 'OK, that's why these guys win.'

Ariko Iso, the first woman to be employed as a full-time trainer by an NFL team, has been on the move during Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College. "I'm the first one," she said."I definitely have pressure not to ruin this opportunity for the next person."

The remaining unsigned first-round picks: Chargers CB Quentin Jammer (No. 5 overall); Chiefs DT Ryan Sims (No. 6); Vikings OT Bryant McKinnie (No. 7); Cardinals DT Wendell Bryant (No. 12).

NBA Rumors & Notes

So which team is going to be the major player next summer, when a lot of desirable free agents hit the market? Right now, the money is on San Antonio, which could enter next summer some $15 million or so under the cap - and that includes Tim Duncan on the payroll.

Cavs forward Ricky Davis is a restricted free agent, and it's believed that Minnesota is very close to making Davis an offer of about $35 million over six years. The Wolves want to be sure the Cavs won't match the offer.

For the second successive summer, Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris has rejected a return to head coaching to stay in Dallas as Don Nelson's chief sidekick. Widely considered the leading candidate for the Denver Nuggets' coaching vacancy, Harris called the Nuggets on Friday night to withdraw from consideration.

College Rumors & Notes

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno is entering the third year of five-year contract extension. When he signed the extension two years ago, he did it to appease recruits who were asking about his retirement. Paterno, 75, was asked yesterday about his future and whether he would name a successor as other coaches have. "If I thought I was going to get out of it in the next 10 years, I might," he said, jokingly. "I think if it is appropriate. [Former Nebraska coach] Tommy Osborne did that. You never know. It depends on how things go."

Nebraska I-back Dahrran Diedrick is getting all the publicity deserving of a conference rushing leader. He's turned up on preseason All-America teams, Heisman watch lists, the works. Now, if only Diedrick was assured his starting position. Cornhuskers coach Frank Solich caused a stir in recent media outings by declaring the I-back position open for competition despite the presence of a returning player who gained 1,299 yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season.

QB Rex Grossman said he also has something to prove this season: That he's not just a product of Steve Spurrier's system. Grossman was the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Nebraska's Eric Crouch in the closest voting in the award's history, and though he threw for 3,896 yards and 34 touchdowns, he was not a member of Playboy's preseason All-America team. That honor went to Ole Miss QB Eli Manning.

Coming off its most successful season in 25 years, Maryland was ranked 21st in the Associated Press preseason media poll released yesterday. It is the first time the Terrapins have been ranked in the season's inaugural poll since 1985, and in College Park there seems to be a level of optimism normally reserved for basketball.

Michigan's John Navarre has started 16 games at quarterback for the Wolverines.

The top two contenders to be K-State's No. 1 quarterback this season don't hate each other despite their battle to lead the Wildcats. Marc Dun and Ell Roberson worked out together almost daily.

At Kansas RB incumbent Reggie Duncan being pushed for the starting job by redshirt freshman Clark Green.

Kentucky has struggled mightily the past two seasons. The Wildcats are 4-18 over that span with only one Southeastern Conference victory in their last 16 contests. Guy Morriss finished with a 2-9 record in his first season as a head coach. His program also is handicapped by crippling NCAA sanctions stemming from recruiting violations under former coach Hal Mumme.

Greg Couch, an enterprising sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, recently compared the coaching bios published in last year's Big Ten football media guides with those that appear in this year's. Some changes have been made. For example, Northwestern assistant coach Mike Dunbar last year once played football for the Univ. of Washington. This year, he no longer once did.

The hardwood at Indiana University's Assembly Hall is getting a makeover. The basketball arena's floor is being refurbished in preparation for the upcoming season, with the biggest change at halfcourt.

Odd Notes & Stuff

Wayne Gretzky, who owns the Coyotes, is planning to take part in the team's training camp. Not for a comeback. "One, I felt it was a good opportunity for me to train for my own personal well-being," Gretzky said. "Two, I felt that the strength training would help stabilize my neck injury and possibly help prevent future surgery. Lastly, I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me to skate with some of our future and current Coyotes players and have some fun. But I am not planning on making a comeback to play in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes."

It's 41 days into free agency, and Byron Dafoe is still a man without a team. But rather than being overcome by anxiety over not having a job, Dafoe is completely focused on being ready when the right offer comes, according to agent Bryant McBride.

Shawn Michaels will finally give us what we've wanted for the past four years — another glimpse at "The Heartbreak Kid." But this "Heartbreak Kid" will look a little different. He won't be the one who carried stiffs such as The British Bulldog, Sid Vicious and Kevin Nash to watchable matches in the mid-1990s. This "Heartbreak Kid" will be plain, old Shawn Michaels.

If SmackDown on Thursday was an indication, the Rock is going to be in for the fight of his life on August 25th at SummerSlam. Brock Lesnar "The Next Big Thing'' is in the biggest match of his career--but his beat-down on Hollywood Hulk Hogan was as impressive as anyone has ever done to the former champion.

This summer's events have made it clear that gays still have a long way to go in sports; that there are still many battles to fight. But according to activists and experts, progress is being made.

ESPN is in the sports knowledge business and its backing of NASCAR in the 1980s helped turn the series into the most popular and prosperous motorsports circuit in the country. Now, the network's program directors are betting they can do the same for tournament fishing, which has managed to reel in respectable ratings for cable networks without being fully marketed to mainstream outdoorsmen.

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