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Big Ben's Sunday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

Frank Thomas criticized general manager Ken Williams for implying he was not a team player, insisted he needs to "clear the air big-time" with manager Jerry Manuel over communication issues and said Paul Konerko "had no clue what was going on" when Konerko called him out last July for showing up late to a game. Thomas also admitted he was bitter about the Sox's decision to invoke the diminished-skills clause in his contract, which led to a new deal that allows the two-time most valuable player to become a free agent after the season.

With the Astros facing a projected $15 million loss this season, GM Gerry Hunsicker could be looking to trade high-priced Billy Wagner and move Octavio Dotel into the closer's role if rookie Brad Lidge shows he's ready to be the setup man.

With Major League Baseball scheduled to test for steroids, more than a few players have been showing up with less bulk. The list of guys who seem noticeably smaller includes Barry Bonds, Cliff Floyd and Richard Hidalgo

In his last significant transaction before Opening Day, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein yesterday capped his first winter in power by signing former Phillies ace Robert Person as insurance for the starting rotation.

At 44, Rickey Henderson is still looking for a job. He had planned to attend an open tryout put on by the Colorado Rockies, but was informed that the camp was for minor league players only. Henderson's agent has said Henderson would sign with an independent-league team if he is not given a major league job.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks said comments by Sandy Alderson were "totally inexcusable" and has told commissioner Bud Selig that the Major League Baseball vice president should be "held accountable." Hicks said Saturday: "Bud was taken by surprise ... and shared my dismay. He agreed with me that it was totally inappropriate for an employee to make comments about any team, whether it was me or the Atlanta Braves. "It was totally inappropriate and totally inaccurate." Alderson, speaking at a conference on baseball economics at Vanderbilt University on Friday, suggested that Hicks was spending less money on baseball because he was having financial trouble in other areas.

"We're going to be a running team," Giants manager Felipe Alou declared. "I'd like to complete that side of the offense. I believe in a lot of running. It's going to take some time to see how to organize the running game around the big bats everyone knows we have on this ballclub."

Dusty Baker wants the Cubs to play more night games at Wrigley Field but fewer of them during the cold-weather months at the beginning and end of the season. The Cubs thus far have been unsuccessful in their attempt to obtain city approval of an increase in the number of night games from 18 to 30. Baker believes it's fair to theorize that the Cubs' heavy day-game schedule has contributed to their pennant drought.

Keep an eye on Miguel Tejada's situation in Oakland. The Athletics let Jason Giambi play out his free-agent year and got nothing but draft picks in return. If they're not in the AL West race (doubtful), they could deal Tejada. With shortstop Rey Sanchez on a one-year deal, the Mets could be interested in Tejada, particularly if super prospect Jose Reyes can play second.

The Red Sox have decided against signing Jose Paniagua to either a major league or a minor league deal with an invitation to the big league camp, but haven't ruled out offering the veteran reliever a straight minor league deal. The former Seattle Mariners right-handed set-up man auditioned for the Sox last Thursday

The Mets signed left-handed pitcher Donovan Osborne yesterday, 10 days after he threw for Mets executives in a tryout. Osborne will likely start the season in Triple-A Norfolk as a starting pitcher and long reliever.

Angels center fielder Darin Erstad has a limited no-trade clause in which he can block trades to four teams: Montreal, Tampa Bay, Florida and Los Angeles. Why the Dodgers? "I don't hate them," Erstad said. "It's just a little something from when I was a kid. My best friend in North Dakota was a die-hard Dodger fan, and I was a die-hard Giant fan. . . . It would be like I was giving in to my friend."

Giants Manager Felipe Alou has made one of the most significant decisions he faced this spring: where to slot Barry Bonds in the lineup. "I'd like him to hit fourth," Alou said after he approached the five-time MVP on a practice field at Indian School Park on Saturday, shook his hand, then asked if he had a preference. "He told me he doesn't care," Alou said.

For more than a year now, Roberto Alomar has unsuccessfully campaigned for the Mets to hire an advisor or a liaison for players. Though the club continues to study the issue, Alomar decided not to wait any longer. The 12-time All-Star hired his good friend Ray Negron this week as part of an effort to feel more comfortable in New York. Negron, who once worked in the same capacity for Reggie Jackson, previously worked for Cleveland and Texas in an advisor role and as a substance abuse counselor.

Joe Torre may beat Yankee great Don Mattingly into Hall of Fame when new Veterans Committee - comprised of many Torre friends -elects its 2003 class on Wednesday.

When asked what he thought about Ricardo Rodriguez and Francisco Cruceta, the two pitching prospects the Indians received from the Dodgers for Paul Shuey last year, bullpen coach Louie Isaac said, "We struck oil."

Former White Sox left-hander Wilson Alvarez thinks the Los Angeles Dodgers give him the best chance to win a World Series ring. That's why he signed a minor-league contract with no guarantees. ''The one thing that's missing is a World Series ring,'' said Alvarez, 32, who is expected to win a job out of camp as either a starter, reliever or both. ''I'm at the point of my career now where it's do or die.''

Since moving into Coors Field in 1995, Colorado has brought in five high-priced veteran starters. The quintet - Billy Swift, Bret Saberhagen, Darryl Kile, Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle - combined to go 75-88 with a 5.67 earned run average. With their other teams, members of this fivesome were a much more fearsome 547-395 with a 3.48 ERA.

Aaron Boone, who is a solid 6 feet 2, spent a day working in California with former Orioles and Angels second baseman Bobby Grich, one of the all-time best. The reason? "Because he's tall, like me, and bigger guys don't usually play second base," Aaron said. ...

Lost among all the new and old faces at this Mets spring training is this: Mike Piazza, completely healed from wrist and hamstring injuries last season, is crushing the ball. Earlier this week during batting practice the longtime "Mizuno Man" experimented with one of those Barry Bonds "Sam Bat" maple bats, but this isn't about the lumber, it's about the near-perfect right-handed swing that is so quiet in its movement, yet so powerful in its result.

Royals infielder Desi Relaford started 6 Hole Records -- a reference to his preferred position, shortstop -- in order to provide a musical outlet for some friends in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.

The World Series introduced us to Angels third baseman Troy Glaus, who did a pretty good imitation of a superstar during Anaheim's magical ride to a championship. And the Angels say there's more to come. "It's scary when you think about how much more he has in him," manager Mike Scioscia said of the World Series MVP. "I'm not suggesting that at some point he'll go from the 47 homers of (2000) to 60, but as his consistency continues to improve, as he gets more experience, he's going to put up some real big numbers."

Mets outfielder Roger Cedeno didn't only get a DUI ticket in his wallet this winter. He and his wife, Thais, were awarded Green Cards, which allow them permanent residency in the States.

A 24-year-old Mets fan with a "Bring Back Fonzie" sign was ejected from the premises yesterday. Steve Phillips said he wasn't the one ordering the ejection.

Mike Piazza was asked if the anti-war protesters are misinformed? "I do believe that and I think there's a hypocrisy there. They're talking about the whole oil thing, and meanwhile a lot of them drive SUVs. I'm not going to say we should be fighting our wars on oil; however, oil is what makes our country go. It funds our industry, our cars and gets our kids to school. It's responsible for jobs. I understand their concerns and there are a lot of things that need to be addressed. Until we have a better alternative, we do have to protect our interests. I don't think their argument is complete. I will say I definitely side with them on this: I hate the idea of innocent people getting killed."

The all-pet nickname team in honor of Petco Park: OF: Ducky Medwick, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, Dave "The Cobra" Parker; 3B: Jiggs Parrott; SS: Rabbit Maranville; 2B: Pug Bennett; 1B: Andres "The Cat" Galarraga; C: Johnny Peacock; LHP: Harvey "The Kitten" Haddix; RHP: Robin Roberts. Manager: Birdie Tebbetts. And in the booth, coming out of hibernation to do the play-by-play ... Jim "The Possum" Woods.

NFL Rumors & Notes

Look for the Bengals to entertain offers for the No. 1 pick, although coach Marvin Lewis said the team might be inclined to keep it. Several teams, including Chicago, Carolina, Dallas and Baltimore, might be interested in moving up to get USC quarterback Carson Palmer.

On the defensive line, there are growing indications the Redskins are interested in Philadelphia star end Hugh Douglas. There are a number of other attractive free-agent options at both end and tackle.

The Steelers will surely investigate the free-agent safeties — in particular, Dexter Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Sammy Knight of the New Orleans Saints — but they will be careful not to overpay.

Rams coach Mike Martz insists that Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger are not on the trade market.

Bears president Ted Phillips conceded coach Dick Jauron, coming off his third losing season in four years, is "under a lot of pressure" but reminded fans that Jauron was under pressure going into the 2001 season and was voted NFL coach of the year.

It's becoming evident that Priest Holmes won't get the new contract he covets from the Chiefs any time soon. Chiefs president Carl Peterson has yet to have any substantive discussions with Holmes or his agent, Todd France. Such discussions will be firmly on the back burner until the Chiefs resolve the pressing contract dilemma involving quarterback Trent Green, who early next week is due an $8 million roster bonus.

Welcome to the Indianapolis Colts' way of life. Welcome to a way of life that could have done nothing but push free agent linebacker Mike Peterson away from the RCA Dome all the way to another NFL team. With two measly sentences this past week, Colts president Bill Polian, if not coach Tony Dungy, gave Peterson reason to feel alienated and unappreciated. "Mike has been a good player for us," Polian told The Star. "But Tony made the point that at these prices, you'd like them to be great players, not good players."

Kordell Stewart will have an opportunity to continue playing in the NFL, this time somewhere other than Pittsburgh. Among teams that might have an interest in him as their starting quarterback are Arizona, Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore and Carolina. Others would consider him as a backup, at least for now, but Stewart hopes he will have an opportunity to at least compete for No. 1 with his next employer. "I will have an opportunity to win a championship, I promise you," Stewart said. Failing to win a championship may be what resulted in his release.

If the Dolphins don't sign free agent receivers Kevin Dyson or Ike Hilliard, they will look at drafting a receiver in the second round or signing a potential starter who could be cut by their team in June, such as Chicago's injury-plagued Marcus Robinson.

Expect the Bengals to make a run at Raiders defensive tackle Sam Adams, who is likely to be released this week for salary cap reasons. Adams, who played for Lewis in Baltimore in 2000 and 2001, visited Cincinnati last year as a free agent.

Steve Mariucci would rather have been a substitute teacher at his youngest child's school than coach the Jaguars. That's how little interest Mariucci said he had in moving to Jacksonville after being fired as coach of the San Francisco 49ers last month.

Weak-side linebacker Derrick Rodgers may have a brighter future with the Dolphins than originally believed. When the 2002 season ended, the Dolphins seemed likely to release Rodgers before the start of the free-agent signing period, which begins Friday. But it now appears Rodgers is likely to return for the 2003 campaign.

The Titans continued to chip away at one of the NFL's biggest salary-cap dilemmas yesterday. They trimmed another $5 million off their cap charges for the 2003 season by finishing renegotiated deals with quarterback Steve McNair and guard Benji Olson.

One good one making the rounds was that University of Hawaii coach June Jones had talked to Jerry Glanville about becoming his new defensive coordinator. "It's not true," Jones said. "That's unbelievable. I haven't talked to him and don't intend to talk to him." ... Glanville, who hasn't coached since he was fired at Atlanta, was interested in becoming Steve Mariucci's defensive coordinator in Detroit, but the coach politely declined.

Penn State's Larry Johnson likely will be the first running back taken in the draft, probably late in the first round. Baltimore, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Chicago are among the teams that have shown interest.

Contract negotiations between the Washington Redskins and Daryl Gardener's representative remained at an impasse yesterday, increasing the chances that the defensive tackle will leave the team as a free agent, sources close to the situation said. The Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys likely would be among the teams in pursuit of Gardener if he opts to leave the Redskins.

If Chris Simms gets his wish, he'll be playing quarterback at Giants Stadium next season - for the Dallas Cowboys under former Giants coach Bill Parcells. "It's definitely a tempting idea, I will say that," the son of Giants legend Phil Simms said yesterday at the NFL scouting combine. "(Playing for Dallas) is definitely something I would love to do, I won't lie to you. I've always kind of been a Cowboys fan. And of course I'm a big fan of coach Parcells."

Miami Hurricanes running back Willis McGahee is an intriguing player in the draft and one the Bucs may have an interest in.

The Dolphins have contacted wide receiver/return specialist Jermaine Lewis about possibly signing. The Dolphins might also be interested in Charlie Rogers of Buffalo and Brian Mitchell of Philadelphia.

The Jets, need a Keyshawn Johnson. Imagine how dangerous Laveranues Coles would be with a big-time possession receiver taking the heat off him. Keep these names in mind: Derrius Thompson (Redskins), Oronde Gadsden (Dolphins) and J.J. Stokes (49ers, after June 1). David Boston (Cardinals) would be a perfect fit if he weren't so expensive and troubled by off-field issues. The draft could offer up Peyo Johnson, a 6-6, 220-pounder from Stanford who could move to the top of the second round with a good 40 time at this week's combine.

Saints director of player personnel Rick Mueller is neck-deep in preparing for the start of free agency Friday and the college draft in April. At some point between now and May 1, when his contract expires, he is expected to sit down with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and map out his future with the club.

The Giants want to upgrade their defense. They might opt to use the NFL Draft on April 26-27 to replenish their aging and depleted line, but defensive ends Hugh Douglas (Eagles) and Vonnie Holliday (Packers) will be available. One interesting option at linebacker is Seattle's Anthony Simmons. There's also a need for a veteran punter.

The top five NFL players at each position that are expected to become unrestricted free agents on Friday

NBA Rumors & Notes

While San Antonio is still an option for Jason Kidd this summer, Seattle no longer is. The Sonics took themselves out of the Kidd sweepstakes when they traded Gary Payton and Kenny Anderson in separate deals this past week. Everyone has been concentrating on the Spurs as Kidd's potential destination. It's not just that Kidd has gone public more than once in saying that he'd like to play with Tim Duncan. The Spurs also will have the cap space this summer to accommodate Kidd and maybe one other "max player." But Seattle was seen as another player in the pursuit of Kidd

Unhappy Chicago guard Jamal Crawford had been itching for a trade to Seattle, his hometown, to understudy with his hero, Gary Payton. Now the Sonics might want to pursue Crawford over the summer for its starting point guard spot.

A fake story circulating as the trade deadline approached had the Bucks sending Sam Cassell to the Lakers for Derek Fisher. Except for a petty salary point (Fisher earns $1.8M less than Cassell) and a minor detail regarding a lack of communication between the two teams concerning those players, it would've been a major coup for Phil Jackson; imagine having someone beside Kobe capable of manufacturing his own shot.

Kevin McHale, Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations, can't understand the media speculation about trading Wally Szczerbiak when, according to NBA rules, it would be impossible to trade him after he recently signed a six-year contract.

Talk is growing louder in New Orleans that Coach Paul Silas might not last the season. He has been essentially a lame-duck coach anyway, since last summer. He is in the final year of his contract and the team refused to discuss an extension. Getting Kenny Anderson will help. Silas now has a legitimate ball distributor while Baron Davis gets healthy. Jamal Mashburn was having to carry a heavy load playing point forward. But it might be too late. Brian Hill, minority owner Ray Wooldridge's hand-picked assistant, is on the ready to step in to finish the season.

Before making his Milwaukee debut, Gary Payton was already speaking of his new team in terms of "us" and "we." The Sonics, it seemed, had already been obscured in his mind like Mount Rainier on a fog-shrouded day. Though Payton said he would not make a decision on his future until after the season, he knew it was in his best interest to not summarily dismiss the Bucks. "If Milwaukee goes to the conference finals, you want to look at that as a big possibility to come back to," Payton said.

Bulls guard Jalen Rose is not a happy player: "I still hate losing, and it's starting to get to me a little,'' Rose said Saturday before the Bulls lost again, this time to the Heat. "I'll never adjust to losing.'' Not even in the name of rebuilding? "Right,'' Rose said. "That's one epidemic I don't want to be involved in. Losing too many games breeds other losing situations and habits I really didn't know existed. This is something we have to fight through until we become winners. But sometimes you get sick and tired of being sick and tired.''

Just because the trade deadline has come and gone doesn't mean teams still can't change the makeup of their rosters. Free agents likely to garner the most interest: Stanley Roberts, could be reunited with his former LSU teammate, Shaquille O'Neal, in Los Angeles. George McCloud, Philadelphia might have interest. Tim Hardaway, expected to try out with the Pacers. Horace Grant, could provide a veteran presence and front-line insurance. Lakers are said to be interested.

Knowing that no deals were done and the team he assembled is the same team that will finish the season, Hawks general manager Pete Babcock apologized to his players this weekend for the perception that the team was staging a fire sale.

Holy Moley: Just look who's come out in favor of shorter camp for veterans. "I don't like too much preseason anyhow," Pat Riley says. "We don't need 30 days. We'll adjust it, move back the preseason games, and I could stay somewhere for five more days myself." All together now: Yeah, sure.

When asked if it was possible that Orlando got tricked, or if he was afraid Jerry West (billed as the all-time best talent evaluator) saw something in Mike Miller he didn't, Magic coach Doc Rivers suggested the deal was a crapshoot for both teams. "He also traded for Glenn Rice and gave up Elden Campbell and Eddie Jones," Rivers said of West. "No one's perfect. No one's batting a 1,000. We obviously are not and neither is Jerry West. He had a (logjam at power forward). He fell in love with Mike Miller and there it is."

Elden Campbell's effort for New Orleans this year was puzzling. A 13-year NBA veteran, Campbell was in the final year of his contract, giving him the incentive, one would suppose, to play to the best of his ability to secure some offseason negotiating leverage. What we saw from Campbell, however, was confounding indifference.

Several scouts say that they are no longer looking at Luol Deng of Blair (N.J.) Academy for this June's draft. The 6-7 Deng, considered the second-best prep player after LeBron James, will honor his commitment to play for Duke next season.

As LeBron James' celebrity senior year ends today with him watching from the bench while serving the second game of a suspension, estimates are that he has generated approximately $500,000 for his high school, becoming an 18-year-old slam-dunking cash register.

Odd Notes & Stuff

As the March 11 trade deadline approaches, Coyotes goalie Sean Burke wonders if he could be headed for the Blues. "If you look at St. Louis as a team, it's one that's built on winning now," Burke said.

The Red Wings thought they'd talked 38-year-old Gary Suter out of his one-year retirement, but Chris Chelios' long-time partner in Chicago has apparently decided against lacing them up again. So Detroit's looking hard at Phoenix' Teppo Numminen and L.A.'s Matt Schneider.

Buzz mounts that the Flames, based in the NHL's smallest market, are soliciting offers to dump Jarome Iginla, the league's top scorer last season. He makes $5.5 million and is due $7 million next season, a quarter of the budget. In theory, Iginla, 25, is precisely the type of player a market Calgary's size should be able to keep, at least through his early years.

Goldberg and WWE have not been able to reach an agreement, prompting Vince McMahon to go with his backup plan for "Wrestlemania XIX" — The Rock vs. Austin. If that happens, Rock vs. Austin will have headlined three of the last five "Wrestlemanias." As for Goldberg, he and WWE haven't been able to agree on the number of dates the former WCW champion will have to work.

In recent years, PETA not only hoped to outlaw recreational hunting, it also began a campaign to stop sport fishing, basing most of its battle against more than 60 million North American anglers on the unfounded belief that fish feel pain, hence suffer cruelly. PETA never was able to separate a fish's ability to feel something touching it from an ability to recognize pain.

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