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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

A's owner Steve Schott doesn't want shortstop Miguel Tejada's pending free agency to become a Jason Giambi-sized distraction, vowing he's not "going to go through the same situation" this time around. Is this a hint Tejada will be traded if he doesn't agree to a contract extension during spring training? Few teams are in better position to pull off a trade and long-term signing than the Cubs.

George Brett doesn't want to be used as the example anymore. Players around here talk all the time about how neat it would be to play for the Kansas City Royals their entire careers, become an icon, you know, be the next George Brett. George Brett says he wouldn't be the next George Brett. "I can't see myself staying in Kansas City as a player," he says. "Not now. It's all changed. I would sign one-year contracts. And I would ask myself `Do we have a chance to win in the next two or three years?' Right now, looking at the Royals, I would have to say `No.' "

The Twins negotiations on a two-year contract for Jacque Jones continued Saturday, with both sides expressing optimism a deal will be reached, perhaps today. "They're still talking, so that's positive," said Jones, in his first year of arbitration eligibility. "The worst-case scenario, we go to arbitration. I'm in a win-win situation."

You have heard a lot about the White Sox lately. But one of the best signs is what you aren't hearing—talk about the possible arrival of Joe Borchard. Borchard is one more reason the Sox should return to the playoffs this year. Borchard, the stealth slugger, is the best hitting prospect for the White Sox since Frank Thomas. Borchard is 24 and has had full seasons at Double A and Triple A. Yet he somehow lurks just off the radar screen.

Among potential acquisitions for Baltimore are the New York Yankees' Raul Mondesi, likely relegated to a reserve role in New York by the signing of Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui, and Kansas City outfielder Carlos Beltran, who would command a significant package in return.

New Cubs 1B Eric Karros on his hopes for spring training: "If I show the Cubs that I can play this game, then I hope I'll get to play," Karros said. "If Hee Seop Choi shows them that he can play, then I could end up spending a lot of time this season watching Cub baseball."

Jeff Cirillo of the Mariners is not a big fan of former skipper Lou Pinella. He told a reporter from MLB.com, "I was glad to see him (Piniella) get the Devils Rays job because he wanted the Mets job. "I kept playing for his approval and I never got it. I stopped playing for myself. I never felt completely comfortable running the bases or anything. My instincts were horrible."

Frank Thomas, 34, will report to Tucson, Ariz., this month knowing it could be his final season in a White Sox uniform. Neither side seemed eager to stay married after Thomas hit .252 with a career-high 115 strikeouts in 2002. But the sides tore up his old contract—the one with the diminished-skills clause and deferred payments—and agreed to a new one-year deal with three mutual option years.

The Cardinals fulfilled their longstanding wish for greater outfield depth Saturday by signing free agents Orlando Palmeiro and Alex Ochoa. The transactions represent insurance against right fielder J.D. Drew's return from October knee surgery while adding two role players from last season's world champion Anaheim Angels.

Did you know? Center fielder Juan Pierre is the only player on the Florida roster who has guaranteed money in his contract beyond 2003.

White Sox pitcher Jon Garland, the No. 3 starter entering spring training, is going to be all business this season. The right-hander, who went 12-12 with a 4.58 ERA last season, even dares to dream about a possible Cy Young Award. ''I hope there isn't a pitcher out there that thinks it's impossible,'' Garland said. ''I hope everybody on our staff, one through five, I hope they have the confidence to say, 'I can have a Cy Young year.'

This one's a little hard to fathom. Although he has owned the Mariners since 1992, Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi will watch them play in person for the first time March 25 when Seattle opens the season in Japan against the A's. It was MLB's condition that when Nintendo purchased the team it had to be run by a "local" general partner. In addition, Nintendo could not use its vast resources to pick up players. So Yamauchi never came to the U.S. to see his team and instead waited 11 years for the team to come to him.

Welcome to Pudge's Palace. The nine-bedroom, 11 ½-bathroom, multimillion-dollar Miami Beach home of newly crowned Marlins catcher Ivan ''Pudge'' Rodríguez. Inside, Rodríguez's wife, Maribel, and their three children are sitting down to dinner with his assistant, his brother, Maribel's sister the nanny, her husband, the chef, the maid and the house-sitter. Rodríguez, all of 5-9 and 218 pounds, is in the backyard smiling from ear to ear, leaning against his 6-foot-plus, one-ton bronzed statue of himself. His twin-engine 750 horse-powered Cigarette speedboat and 118-foot yacht are docked a few feet away. For Pudge, this is home.

Spring training begins in less than two weeks. Let's take a look back at the baseball winter of 2002-03

Alan Benes, trying to resuscitate his career in a similar fashion to his older brother, is on the Chicago Cubs' roster and stands at least a chance to make the staff. "I hadn't really thought about it like that - keeping the Benes name alive," Alan Benes said. "I have thought about keeping my own name going.

How about five George Bretts -- all wrapped into one? The Royals will offer the "George Brett Babooshkah Doll" to the first 20,000 fans on May 31 when they play the Oakland Athletics. Babooshkah is a hot item these days, the Royals say, and this one will have Hall of Famer Brett in five sizes and in different-style uniforms.

NFL Rumors & Notes

Da Coach would like a shot at coaching the Detroit Lions. Mike Ditka, coach of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, is endorsing Steve Mariucci for coach of the Lions. But Ditka would like a chance at the job if the Lions don't land Mariucci or another top candidate, such as Dennis Green. "I would come in and talk to them, if they had a definite interest," Ditka said.

Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache will interview for the San Francisco 49ers' vacant head coaching position. A 49ers spokesman said Blache will meet with San Francisco general manager Terry Donahue on Monday at Donahue's home in Southern California. He is the fifth NFL coordinator to interview for the position that became vacant on Jan. 15 when owner John York fired Steve Mariucci.

The Eagles are already a psychologically fragile team after back-to-back NFC title game losses. The Giants could damage them further by signing free agent defensive end Hugh Douglas, who had 12-1/2 sacks last season and is one of Philly's leaders. Imagine Douglas and Michael Strahan together

Saints Pro Bowl wide receiver Joe Horn has two years remaining on his contract. His statistics in the past three seasons place him among the top receivers in the NFL. He held out of one minicamp last year to demonstrate his unhappiness with his contract. What's up his sleeve this off-season? "The ball is in their court," Horn said. "I think they'll take care of it. I hope and pray they do. But I don't know what they're thinking. I will tell you this: I would love to be taken care of before any other free agents sign on.

Where will Broncos QB Brian Griese play next year? Even his father Bob, the Dolphins' Hall of Famer, doesn't expect Miami to be interested. "I think Jay Fiedler is the quarterback for the Dolphins," Griese said. "I think he's done a great job. I don't think he gets enough respect. You can win a Super Bowl with Jay Fiedler. He's everything you need." Dolphins are nonetheless interested in soon-to-be released Steelers QB Kordell Stewart.

You can scratch Jake Plummer's name off the list of possible Bears quarterbacks for next season. Plummer, who generally is regarded as the top free-agent quarterback, reportedly heads the Denver Broncos' wish list and also intrigues new Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. Is there any way the Bears will get into a bidding war with those franchises? Don't count on it. Especially with the Arizona Cardinals now talking about using their franchise or transition tag on Plummer because they might not have a better option.

Remember that memo the NFL sent teams last month, supposedly forbidding teams from acquiring head coaches via trade? It turns out that was really intended to keep assistant coaches and front-office types off the trade market. If a team had sought to deal for ex-49ers coach Steve Mariucci, however, it could have done so -- a la Tampa's trade last year with Raiders for Jon Gruden.

Mike Vick mania? Falcons' season ticket base appears headed for an all-time high of 60,000.

Given their philosophy, it's not likely that the Pats will make a push for Cardinals free agent receiver David Boston, despite his productivity.

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid says Super Bowl remains "realistic goal" for the Eagles.

Warren Sapp's play during last week's Super Bowl was inconsequential as it related to the Bucs' win. He was not double-teamed - repeat: not double-teamed. Rather, he was dominated, head-to-head, by Raiders' OL Frank Middleton. Play after play Middleton had Sapp on his heels. But style-fueled notions rule the media and the day. Sapp, both on and off the field, has shown a career-long penchant for both coveting and generating attention. And starting with ABC, last Sunday, the media played it his way.

Warren Sapp will get $63,000 as his winner's share from the Super Bowl -- plus another $250,000 for appearing on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. That's just wrong.

To encourage RB Edgerrin James to stay in Indianapolis this off-season and spend time at the team's conditioning program, the Colts intend to pay him a $1.3-million incentive for rushing yards he did not earn this season. The proviso: James must attend a certain number of off-season sessions.

The Bucs, Dolphins and Bills are the only teams — at the moment — who will sit out the first round of the April 26 draft. The good news is that all three teams got production for their No. 1 pick.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is expected to announce this week that FieldTurf - an artificial surface - will be installed to replace the beat-up grass field at Giants Stadium. But as of yesterday, no official decision had been made.

NBA Rumors & Notes

Looking to add a scorer, the Lakers are interested in Latrell Sprewell, but they are now thinking about going the cheaper route. They've talked to the Hawks about Jason Terry, who makes $2.1 million, and to Indiana about Ron Mercer, who is at $6.75 mil.

Though Kwame Brown appears to be a hot property around the league, it appears unlikely that the Wizards will deal him before the league's trading deadline Feb. 20. But that doesn't mean they are entirely happy with his play or progress.

Orlando and Toronto appear to be Theo Ratliff's most ardent suitors. The Raptors, who unsuccessfully made a play for Rasheed Wallace (Tony Davis and Hakeem), also offered Hakeem Olajuwon's official retirement papers and Lindsey Hunter for Ratliff.

Will Atlanta point guard Jason Terry wind up in Los Angeles with the Lakers? Is Memphis general manager Jerry West going to unload Drew Gooden, drafted by the Grizzlies with the fourth pick of this season's NBA draft? Could the 76ers be looking to dump the heavy-salaried and heavy-set Derrick Coleman?

The Knicks are looking to make a deal before the deadline according to Pete Vecsey. A number of teams would love to call Kurt Thomas (Orlando, Memphis, etc.) and Latrell Sprewell (76ers) their very own (based on skill), and, to a lesser degree, Othella Harrington and Charlie Ward (based on salary).

Elden Campbell could wind up in San Antonio, with Steve Smith heading to the Hornets, who also want a proven scorer to bring off the bench. As much of a disappointment as Campbell has been - he's never gotten into shape in the walk year of his contract - the Spurs could use Campbell's size.

Miami is still trying to unload Eddie Jones, Brian Grant, or both. Utah appears determined to hold on to Karl Malone, despite his scheduled departure at the end of the season.

Whatever Grant Hill wants to do, the Magic must support him. It's the only option, really. As long as Hill is mentally able to continue his comeback attempt, the Magic will cross their fingers and hope. And that is the route Hill wants to travel. In his strongest statement since being put on the injured list Jan. 19, Hill vowed Friday that he is not done playing. He wants to see if his new doctors can fix the structural problems with his ankle. Then, as optimistic as ever, Hill believes he can return. The only other real option is for the Magic to trade Hill. That would be more difficult than waiving him. It would take an incredibly dumb team to trade anything of quality for Hill, who has played 47 games the past three years.

There has been a buzz in NBA circles, including the ownership ranks, that while the league loves the big bucks ESPN paid for the package, and the promotional push the network has given the league, David Stern & Co. would like to see ESPN improve the quality of its cablecasts.

A couple days before Cavalier coach John Lucas was vaporized, he commanded Tyrone Hill and Bimbo Coles to return to Cleveland (rather than finish the road trip in Denver) for being detrimental to the team. Hill, angry with his limited role since Carlos Boozer's emergence, had refused to re-enter the previous game in Golden State; his agent claims he was hurt. At any rate, says a source, Jim Paxson overturned the order, insisting they had to be suspended if sent home.

Did you know? This is the first time in Miami Heat coach Pat Riley's career on an NBA sideline that he doesn't have a player selected to the All-Star game. He averaged almost three all-stars per season in his nine years with the Lakers, had at least one all-star in each of his four years with the Knicks and had one every year in his first seven seasons with the Heat.

The lowly Nuggets are on pace to set an NBA record for lowest scoring average in a season. Denver is averaging 80.4 points, and the league rec ord is 81.9 by the 1998-99 Chicago Bulls.

So you want to take Rasheed Wallace off Portland's hands? He will be a free agent after next season. But know this: He will make $18 million next season and it is extremely doubtful that he will look to take a pay cut.

Bulls power forward Marcus Fizer, a front-runner for the NBA's Sixth Man Award, suffered the worst ending to what he considers his best season when he was declared out for the rest of the season Saturday after an MRI revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

There is a larger issue the Pacers must deal with -- the emerging perception that Isiah Thomas is trying to recreate the Bad Boys. That quote from Don Nelson in SI last week ("The Pacers are beyond dirty -- they are beasts") didn't help. Anyway, here's Zeke's response: "Since the day I got here, everything that I've talked to you about, my team about, has been character, values, being a good person, being respectful," he said. "Everything I've demonstrated in my life has been about that. Every team that I played on has been about that. When you look at the signs around our locker room, it's about commitment, it's about courage, it's about trust, loyalty and respect. For someone to insinuate that about me as a person, about me as a man and about our team is highly insulting."

The NBA confirmed that the Wolves' deadline for applying for a disabled player salary cap exception for Brandon passed on Oct. 1. Kevin McHale said Saturday the team never applied for the exception — which could have been worth $4.8 million, and could have been used to sign a free agent or trade for another player — because the team thought then that Brandon would play this season.

Forward Danny Fortson is the new Marc Jackson. In other words, the player in the Golden State doghouse. The Warriors are desperate to trade Fortson and aren't playing him. But they could have been more creative than claiming he had the "flu" for a full week of DNPs.

Kevin Garnett heard of a lobbying effort by Mark Cuban to get Dirk Nowitzki into the All-Star lineup at KG's expense -- a mass e-mail to Mavs season-ticket holders that said, "Don't vote for Garnett." "Sometimes, to be an owner doesn't necessarily mean you've got class," KG said.

The mom of Pistons star Ben Wallace passed away last night. Wallace, one of 11 children, was extremely close to his mother. "It's just awful," Jon Barry said. "Our thoughts and our prayers are with Ben and his family. This is just a terrible thing."

Remember Kobe Bryant coming up sick before Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in Sacramento? He blamed it on a bad cheeseburger at the Hyatt Regency. The hotel, understandably concerned about the negative publicity, has done a little investigating, along with the Sacramento Bee. Geoff Wong, an attorney and former late-night movie host (honest), saw Bryant at Chanterelle, a restaurant he is part-owner of, and said it was obvious Bryant had been drinking. What the heck, hangover, food poisoning -- same thing, right?

In a ceremony on Saturday, the University of Michigan will retire the No. 45 jersey worn by Rudy Tomjanovich, now the Houston Rockets' coach. "I've been so blessed, just the opportunities I had, and lucky, too, being a young kid, making decisions like that (attending Michigan)," Tomjanovich said.

The NBA is still working out details of the Rockets' proposed trip to Shanghai for a preseason game. Progress has been slow, but the league has not ruled out making the arrangements in time for next season. "The NBA is actively looking to play preseason games next season in Asia, Europe and Latin America," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. "Nothing is finalized yet. We've had a lot of interest from teams. It's something we're exploring." ...

Given the harsh penalties coming out of NBA headquarters these days, some players are afraid to speak their minds. Portland's Bonzi Wells, for example, refused to comment on the seven-game suspension handed down to Utah coach Jerry Sloan, out of fear the league would spank him, too. "I don't even want to speak on it, man, because it costs too much," Wells said. "He got seven games -- they made the right decision. Rasheed got seven games -- they made the right decision. If you say anything negative -- I'm gonna get seven games. So I'm not saying nothing."

Despite Darius Rice's late-game heroics, two NBA general managers and a scout tell us there are still questions about whether the University of Miami junior will be a first-round draft pick if he were to go pro after this season, as many expect. Word is the Lakers have interest in the soft-shooting, 6-10 small forward.

The Rockets have higher aspirations for their new duds, to be unveiled in August or September and to be worn next season, than merely being better than clown suits. With that in mind, the organization has commissioned Eiko Ishioka, an Academy Award-winning designer, to come up the Rockets' new look.

LeBron James probably won't be the only player entering the draft right out of high school. Scouts are studying a few other phenoms who are flying under the radar. Luol Deng, a 6-6 athletic shooting guard from Blair (N.J.) Academy, has committed to Duke. But he could still make the jump, along with his Blair teammate, Charlie Villanueva, a 6-10 forward ticketed for Illinois. Both are considered first-rounders. James Lang, of Birmingham, Ala., a 6-10, 300-pounder, also could go in the first round.

Odd Notes & Stuff

It's hardly surprising that PGA Tour sponsor's exemptions are coming in for Annika Sorenstam. Publicity is a hard thing to turn down. Expect word any day now on whether she'll say yes to the Chrysler Classic at Tucson (Feb. 27-March 2), which is opposite the Accenture Match Play Championship and thus will be missing most of the game's marquee names.

Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe was sentenced to 18 months in prison for abducting his estranged wife and their five children in February 1998.

Mike Tyson says his passion for fighting is back. "It always comes back" after taking a beating, Tyson told The Associated Press. Seven months after Lennox Lewis did just that to him, Tyson sat in a small dressing room Tuesday and talked about why he was beaten by the WBC champ, why he wants to fight again and why he thinks he has a chance in a planned June 21 rematch. "If he was that dominant he should have knocked me out in the second or third round," Tyson said of Lewis. "He was still scared. He took no risks."

Jaromir Jagr has heard that the Penguins are trying to trade Alexei Kovalev, continuing the long exodus of Pittsburgh's top NHL talent. And he thinks he knows why it's happening. "I'm not surprised at all," he said yesterday. "Maybe if they build a new arena, it's going to stop. Until that happens ... I'm not a businessman, but that makes sense."

Pat Quinn, the Maple Leafs' general manager, made clear this week that he was unhappy with his assistant, Bill Watters, for blurting on the radio that his team was interested in Alexei Kovalev if only because he treaded perilously close to tampering.

Two months before the NHL trade deadline the Penguins anticipate other star forwards could become available and, thus, glut the market. Two such players would be the Sharks' Owen Nolan and the Kings' Zigmund Palffy. Nolan makes $6.5 million and has 18 goals, Palffy $7 million with 19 goals.

Alexi Kovalev doesn't anticipate a trade anytime soon from the Penguins.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said today he does not see a need to contract or relocate franchises despite the financial difficulties and huge losses reported by several teams. Bettman, who held his annual state of the league address after meeting with the league's board of governors, said he believes the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres, who have filed for bankruptcy protection, can be viable entities in their current locations.

The Panthers got their share of negative publicity Saturday, as one of hockey's biggest names ripped the team's trade of All-Star Game defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh to Anaheim, and a few other All-Stars questioned the timing of the deal. ''Bad trade,'' Pittsburgh right wing Jaromir Jagr said. ``Did they quit? I don't know. Not quit, but think of the future? I don't understand what that was all about. Maybe they don't think they're going to make the playoffs anymore. He was a big part of their club.''

The NHL All-Star Game will be played in Minnesota next season, but no site has been chosen yet for 2005 and 2006. Teams are apparently hesitant to host the '05 game because of the likelihood of a labor lockout.

Bret ''the Hitman'' Hart--last seen getting screwed out of the WWF title by Vince McMahon at ''Survivor Series,'' also in Montreal--has been in negotiations with the WWE about a return. The former WWF and WCW world champ has been recovering from a stroke following a motorcycle accident and is looking forward to showing his fans he could be on the way back to the ring. There is little doubt he will be welcomed back to the WWE.

The so-called modern-day "Nature Boy," Triple H, has surrounded himself with two would-be superstars in a Flair-like maneuver. Flair, the figurehead of the past Horsemen incarnations, has assumed the role of adviser. That spot belonged to J.J. Dillon when the original Four Horsemen were at their peak.

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