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Big Ben's Wednesday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

The Reds reportedly have been interested in Sterling Hitchcock, but general manager Jim Bowden shot down that notion. "Can't afford him. Makes too much money," Bowden said. "Contreras, Weaver - can't afford them. They make too much money." The Yankees reportedly are willing to pay part of Hitchcock's salary if he's traded. But for the Reds to be in the running, it would have to be a big part.

On a day when Reggie Sanders' one-year, $1 million contract was finalized and he worked out with his new teammates for the first time, the Pirates also received a visit from Casey Close, the agent for free-agent center fielder Kenny Lofton. If the Pirates sign Lofton, Brian Giles would remain in left field and Sanders would play right, with Craig Wilson, Matt Stairs and Rob Mackowiak coming off the bench.

Veteran outfielder Bernard Gilkey, who has received more attention for his legal problems than his baseball prowess in recent years, has signed a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Gilkey, 36, was sentenced to four months in jail last year after a series of drunken driving arrests in his hometown of St. Louis.

Alfonso Soriano's agent, Don Nomura, was at Legends Field to meet with Yankees GM Brian Cashman about a 2003 contract for Soriano. The Yankees aren't interested in signing Soriano to a long-term deal right now and likely will give him a one-year deal worth only slightly more than the $630,000 he made in 2002. Soriano isn't eligible for arbitration until next year.

Ken Griffey Jr. says he's tired of hearing speculation that he has been a clubhouse "cancer," as ESPN analyst and former Reds pitcher Rob Dibble says. And, he's sick of sports talk radio in Cincinnati riding him for attending an 8 p.m. softball game of a friend last summer. The next day, Griffey says, the radio station made an issue of it, saying he would rather spend time going to softball games than rehabilitating.

Those who refer to the Cubs as the "sleeper team" in the league usually point to the threesome of Kerry Wood, Mark Prior and Matt Clement as the reason why. And for the first spring in recent memory it's pitching, not hitting, that is supposed to carry the Cubs. Clement, who was with the Florida Marlins a year ago at this time, said it all sounds quite familiar.

Jerry Manuel , who lives by the motto that managers are hired to be fired, isn't putting any additional pressure on himself despite raised expectations for the White Sox. "I've always felt coming in that every year there is a sense of pressure and urgency to win,'' said Manuel, who has one division title and four second-place finishes in five seasons with the Sox. "I wouldn't have it any other way.''

How much will Ramiro Mendoza help the Red Sox ''I would think,'' one club executive said last week in Arizona, ''that George [Steinbrenner] would sooner pay Mendoza $5 million to stay home than allow him to sign with Boston, if he was afraid Mendoza could still hurt him.''

Sensing the difficult time he faces making the Opening Day roster, Benny Agbayani has indicated that he'd like his agent to meet with Epstein to clarify the team's plans for him. The GM said, however, that granting Agbayani his release is out of the question due to the scarcity of outfielders in camp.

Former pitcher Dave Stewart has joined the Royals as a consultant for their minor-league operations in spring training. "He wanted an opportunity to do what he loved to do -- which is teach," said Muzzy Jackson, the club's assistant general manager for player personnel.

If Mike Schmidt's take on the Pete Rose situation is accurate, the former Phillies first baseman will be in attendance when the team plays its final game at Veterans Stadium on Sept. 28.

Eric Munson doesn't want to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster on a technicality. He plans to come out fighting from his new corner -- the hot corner. Munson's attempt to win a big-league job while trying to learn third base makes him the most fascinating story of the Tigers' upcoming exhibition season.

Asked Tuesday about his team's rivalry with the Minnesota Twins, this was the closest manager Jerry Manuel came to trash talking. "Hopefully [the series] will be more competitive than it was in the past few years," he said. That's it? "I think we learned our lesson that we have no room to talk," Manuel said. "No doubt about that. We were 13½ games behind them [at the end of the season]. Nobody can hear us. They shouldn't. We're way back there in the rear-view mirror. They probably can't even see us."

In one of the new Giants commercials, filmed Tuesday, J.T. Snow will carry a elderly batboy to safety, poking fun at his rescue of Darren Baker in the World Series and the new age restrictions on batboys. Bonds filmed another commercial that involved a recliner.

Former Phillies all-star third baseman Dave Hollins, who spent most of last season on the team's disabled list in a fitful comeback season, signed a minor-league contract yesterday. Bowa said Hollins, 36, would start the season with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Richie Sexson's four-year, $17.5 million contract expires after next season. The Brewers hold a $12 million option for 2005. Given their declining attendance and an abundance of first base prospects in the minor-league system, it's hard to say whether Sexson will be with the team in three years.

The Twins have begun mapping out their rotation for the season. For Brad Radke, things will stay the same -- and change. Radke will be the Opening Day starter March 31 in Detroit. It will be his fifth consecutive (and seventh overall) Opening Day start. But because the Twins have only three road games before returning for their home opener, Radke will be unable to make an eighth consecutive home opening start.

The Mets are in serious discussions to sell naming rights to their spring training complex for as much as $4.5 million,

With the legal maneuvering underway in the aftermath of the death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, the team today denied suggestions made by the manufacturer of Xenadrine RFA-1 -- the diet supplement Bechler was believed to be using -- that the Orioles were negligent in allowing him on the practice field.

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt says the Phillies should make the playoffs this season.

Larry Dierker's trademark Hawaiian shirts will be back in style this baseball season in at least one corner of Minute Maid Park. The Astros will hold a 10 a.m. news conference today to announce that the space along Texas Avenue behind home plate once occupied by the Sports Legacy art gallery will be converted into a bar named Larry's Big Bamboo. "There will be a dress code -- Hawaiian shirts, strictly enforced," Dierker joked Tuesday. The bar is named for Dierker's favorite watering hole near the Astros' spring training base in Kissimmee, Fla., the Big Bamboo.

Tampa native Fred McGriff wore a Bucs champions cap when he arrived at Dodgers camp last week. McGriff sold soft drinks at Bucs games as a teenager and now has a luxury suite at Raymond James Stadium. "I wore my Buccaneers shirt and hat, and people would always rip me," McGriff said. "They can't rip me anymore."

NFL Rumors & Notes

Giants defensive end Kenny Holmes has three days to accept a huge pay cut for the second straight year or he likely will be released. If they lose Holmes, the Giants aren't likely to be huge players in the Hugh Douglas sweepstakes (the Eagles are trying to re-sign Douglas before the market opens Friday) but could pursue a younger, less-expensive option in Green Bay defensive end Vonnie Holliday.

Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said he believes that contract negotiations between the team and quarterback Trent Green will come right down to Friday's deadline. Vermeil predicted, though, that the sides would come to a agreement. "Trent has told me he'll get a new contract signed, and I believe him," Vermeil said. "I'm going to trust him and hold him to his word."

The Eagles could make a hard run at a player such as Rosevelt Colvin of the Bears, who could help make up for the loss of Shawn Barber and Hugh Douglas. Colvin plays outside linebacker (although he's been on the strong side in Chicago) on running downs and lines up as an end in passing situations. Colvin, 25, has amassed 21 sacks the last two seasons, one fewer than Douglas.

The Buffalo Bills could be in line to get a No. 1 back. Apparently, they'll entertain offers for wide receiver Peerless Price, an unrestricted free agent who got the franchise tag last week. Price now is guaranteed a one-year deal at around $5 million. Look for Atlanta, in desperate need of a receiver to take some pressure off quarterback Michael Vick, to make a move.

The Rams have agreed to pay quarterback Kurt Warner a $6 million roster bonus due before Friday. "That will officially be exercised within the next 24 hours," Rams president of football operations Jay Zygmunt said Tuesday. "Kurt's getting the full $6 million."

Two days before the start of free agency, the Ravens and quarterback Jeff Blake are trying to clear up some mixed signals. While the team has repeatedly expressed its intentions to bring Blake back, Blake's agent said the Ravens' only contract proposal was not market value for a starter.

The Seahawks have close to $19 million at their disposal. It's the most money the Seahawks have had to spend on free agents and draft picks in the Mike Holmgren era, and after years of developing drafted players and taking a cautious approach toward free agency, the Seahawks are poised to spend big bucks. Perhaps the top name on the Seahawks' wish list is Philadelphia defensive end Hugh Douglas, who is also coveted by other teams. The Seahawks might pursue Sammy Knight of New Orleans.

Despite having to accept a reduced salary and facing the prospect of a smaller on-field role, Willie McGinest wanted to return to the Patriots for a 10th NFL season. The defensive end is apparently about to get his wish, as sources indicated last night that McGinest and the Pats have agreed to a new contract that will allow McGinest to end his career as a Patriot.

Free agency doesn't begin until Friday, but the Bengals are getting a jump by talking to players who are available now.Former Ravens and Texans kick returner Jermaine Lewis and Bengals fullback Lorenzo Neal and linebacker Takeo Spikes are the targets. The Bengals also are not expected to pursue former Bengals cornerback Ashley Ambrose, who was released last week by the Atlanta Falcons.

Orlando Brown, the former Cleveland Browns lineman who suffered a serious eye injury in 1999 when hit by an official's weighted penalty flag, is scheduled to arrive in the Twin Cities on Sunday night and will visit the Vikings' complex Monday. The Vikings are apparently the last of several teams Brown will visit. "We're excited we're the last stop," Tice said. "He'll be able to compare us to all the others."

Although the free-agent pickings are not considered especially appealing, linebackers Rosevelt Colvin of Chicago and Shelton Quarles of Tampa Bay will get consideration from Detroit. And the Lions might have interest in cornerbacks Tyrone Williams of Green Bay and Dre' Bly of St. Louis, if they are released. The Lions also might attempt to keep middle linebacker Chris Claiborne, who flew back from his home in California to meet with team officials Tuesday.

Emmitt Smith won't be attending Bill Parcells' first meeting with the Dallas Cowboys. Instead, the leading rusher in NFL history will be in Austin to be honored by state lawmakers. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will be among the guests at that event. Conspiracy theorists will argue that Smith's absence from the meeting is one more indication that the Cowboys already have decided to part with him. The Cowboys, though, say Wednesday's events were scheduled weeks before Parcells set his meeting.

The Rams are trying to renegoiate Aeneas Williams' contract so they won't have to cut him by Friday in a salary cap saving move.

If the Browns agree to pay linebacker Earl Holmes a roster bonus he's due this week, it will come only after a serious, serious debate inside the organization about Holmes' value to the team. Word is many officials inside the Browns' camp think while Holmes was a clear upgrade over former starting inside linebacker Wali Rainer, his play during the 2002 season hardly justified the five-year, $17.5 million contract he signed with the team last spring.

The Dolphins sent a proposal to free agent fullback Rob Konrad on Tuesday. Agent Drew Rosenhaus was preparing a counter proposal. The Dolphins have researched other free agent fullbacks -- including Oakland's Jon Ritchie and the Jets' Richie Anderson -- in case Konrad does not re-sign.

The Bengals, who pick first in the draft, would love to trade the pick and get out of the hunt for USC quarterback Carson Palmer. Trouble is, no team feels comfortable yet with the thought of paying Palmer, the late-blooming Heisman Trophy winner, an eight-figure signing bonus. That could change after Palmer throws at his private workout next month.

One intriguing scenario has the Tennessee Titans forced to cut Randall Godfrey because of his $8.08 million cap figure this season, and the Eagles jumping into the breach, but right now Godfrey is still a Titan. Another possibility there is pending New Orleans free agent Charlie Clemons.

If history is any indicator, then the Green Bay Packers' strategy in making a qualifying contract offer to restricted free agent Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila won't come back to bite them. But given the special talents of the Packers' young pass-rushing defensive end, they rolled the dice a little bit Tuesday by not using the maximum protection afforded for keeping Gbaja-Biamila from bolting to another team.

The Jets and linebacker Sam Cowart are engaged in a game of beat the clock. If Cowart doesn't agree to a significant pay cut by 4 p.m. tomorrow, he will be released.

Left tackle Luke Petitgout wouldn't mind at all if he and the Giants come to terms on a new contract before he ever gets to test the waters and he indicated the two sides are not extremely far apart.

Despite speculation to the contrary, Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said backup quarterback Ray Lucas, who was 2-4 as a starter last season, might return.

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder is seeking a blockbuster deal on the eve of free agency. Detroit rejected Snyder's trade offer of the Redskins' No. 13 overall selection and cornerback Fred Smoot for the Lions' No. 2 overall pick and their second-rounder in the April 26 draft plus two unnamed veterans, according to NFL sources. Washington officials denied making the offer. The Redskins seek a marquee receiver with the second pick to complement 2001 first-rounder Rod Gardner.

The Redskins dismissed a report from a Cleveland radio station purporting a deal shipping linebacker LaVar Arrington to the Browns for quarterback Tim Couch.

Eagles coach Andy Reid slept in his office three or four nights a week last season - more than Dick Vermeil, especially in the second half of the season and the playoffs. It was a badly kept secret around the complex that Reid was usually staying there from Monday morning until Friday evening, coaching and director-of-football-operating and pretty much everything-elsing. Vermeil was 46 when he burned out. Reid turns 45 in 3 weeks. You wonder if this is going to become an issue for Reid at some point.

Tyrone Williams of Green Bay, who probably will be released after March 1 because of contract issues, and Ashley Ambrose of Atlanta, who was released last week for the same reason, will get a look from the Lions.

The agent for starting Jets fullback Richie Anderson and backup Jerald Sowell said yesterday both of his clients will hit the market and there's a good chance they will be playing elsewhere next season. Dallas has been among the rumored destinations for Anderson, who would be reunited with coach Bill Parcells, and Carolina and Jacksonville are believed to be interested in Sowell, who doubles as a special-teams ace.

Jaguars OL Zach Wiegert will hit the free-agent market Friday and will likely have a new deal within a week or two, his agent, Michael Huyghue, said yesterday. "He'll be off the market pretty quickly," Huyghue said. Huyghue, a former Jaguars vice president, said he expects Wiegert to test the market because he feels the Jaguars are in a "wait-and-see" mode.

A sports memorabilia dealer has been ordered to pay $105,000 to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning for autographing 2,500 items, including footballs, helmets and jerseys.

NBA Rumors & Notes

The Denver Nuggets have agreed in principle to waive point guard Chris Whitney, setting up an opportunity for the Orlando Magic to sign him for the remainder of the season. Once Whitney's agent, Steve Kaufman, signs off on the paperwork today, Whitney will be free to sign with a new team. Los Angeles and Indiana are the other teams interested in him. Whitney wants to come to Orlando.

Within a few days, it's possible Tyrone Hill will be free of the Cleveland Cavaliers -- and vice versa -- and in position to play for any NBA team that wants him. And there is a chance he could end up with the Nets. "I would love to play in New Jersey," Hill said before his team beat the Nets, 93-90, last night. "I love Jason Kidd. New Jersey would definitely be one of my top choices."

Bimbo Coles wore his Cavaliers uniform for the final time Sunday in Philadelphia. Coles, who signed with the Cavs as a free agent two years ago, will be waived by the Cavs as soon as today. League sources also said that once Coles clears waivers, he'll sign with either Seattle, Orlando, New Jersey, Los Angeles Lakers or Indiana.

Excuse Mike Miller. He will be fashionably - and unintentionally - late for his home debut in a Grizzlies' uniform. Test results on Tuesday revealed that the 6-8 swingman sprained a ligament in his back, and likely will sit out a week.

Tracy McGrady admitted Tuesday that Bryant's recent scoring binge has motivated him. Bryant has set a standard now. It's getting late in the NBA season, and this is the time when stars must play their best. For McGrady, he wants to make the playoffs first, but winning his first scoring title would be a nice accomplishment. "Obviously, that would mean a lot," McGrady said. "It's hard as hell to maintain it. It'll mean something."

Nick Van Exel plans to appeal the $20,000 fine he got from the NBA for cursing referee Scott Foster at the end of Sunday's game against the Washington Wizards. Van Exel said Tuesday that he did call Foster "a [expletive] ... coward." But he only did so after Foster did some agitating of his own, Van Exel said. "That was right after he told me I need to worry about getting out of the second round of the playoffs," Van Exel said.

As Knicks GM Scott Layden combed the NBA rosters for a young big man, he gave a call before the trading deadline to the Rockets. No, not for Yao Ming but for their starting power forward Eddie Griffin, according to sources. The 6-10 former Seton Hall standout is one of the league's emerging young shotblockers, though he has not been a standout in his two seasons.

The third opinion Todd MacCulloch solicited Monday from doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston came back the same as his second opinion. The 27-year-old 76ers center has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a progressive neuromuscular disorder that has disrupted his balance, caused him foot and hand problems, and is threatening his career.

Charles Smith was Patrick Ewing's teammate for 3 1/2 seasons and will ultimately be remembered for missing four attempts to score inside against the Bulls in the final seconds of Game 5 of the 1993 Eastern Conference finals. Chicago survived a seven-game brawl and went on to win the title. It is not a pleasant chapter in Knicks history, and they haven't even invited Smith to the Ewing retirement ceremony Friday night at the Garden. "It's OK, really, I've moved on," Smith said yesterday. "I was talking to John (Starks) today, and he asked me if I was coming to the retirement thing. I just said, 'Uh, no. I didn't get an invite.'

Yao Ming's first game in Madison Square Garden brought out a fairly typical array of celebrities -- director Spike Lee, actor/rapper LL Cool J, actress Angela Bassett, model Linda Evangelista and Rockets owner Leslie Alexander. But Yao's first game in New York also drew an unusual show of force from the NBA office, including NBA commissioner David Stern and NBA Players Association director Billy Hunter, and not because there was nothing worthwhile on television.

Former Chicago Bulls star Bob "Butterbean" Love is headed for overtime in his race for city council. Love, who played for the Bulls from 1969 to 1976, got enough votes in Tuesday's nonpartisan race to force a runoff election on April 1 against incumbent alderman Ted Thomas.

Washington Wizards reserve center Etan Thomas could be lost for the season due to a fracture that was discovered in the orbital bone in his left eye.

College Rumors & Notes

Racial remarks were apparently not a factor in an alleged assault involving Washington running back Rich Alexis at the Sigma Chi House early Saturday morning.

With the potential for war looming, NCAA officials are reviewing a variety of contingency plans for the men's basketball tournament, including the possibility of rescheduling games. "The adjustments may be procedural, scheduling, logistical," said Greg Shaheen, managing director of the tournament.

Tennessee tight end Jason Witten, hopes the success enjoyed by Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey as a rookie will help him in the NFL draft.

Odd Notes & Stuff

Freddy Adu, whose family relocated from Ghana to Potomac five years ago, was named to the U.S. soccer team that will begin qualifying for the under-17 world championship next month. Adu, 13, is expected to start for the team when qualification begins March 5 in Guatemala and will become the youngest player to represent this country in an international soccer tournament.

Martha Burk will seek a permit to demonstrate at the Masters about Augusta National's all-male membership, and she won't rule out an illegal protest if the site isn't close enough to the club's main gate. Burk said yesterday that she expects her permit request this week to be turned down by officials in Augusta, Ga.

Peter Piccione, professor of Egyptian history at the College of Charleston (S.C.), believes baseball's roots lie not in 19th-century America but rather in ancient Egypt. Archeologists there have discovered three-inch stitched leather balls from a game known as seker-hamat, or "batting the ball." "Based on scenes and texts on the wall of temples, kings batted these balls to awaiting priests, and all enjoyed a good time," Piccione told the Los Angeles Times. "While it's unclear if the king ran bases, it is a distinct possibility."

For months, Oscar De La Hoya has been pursuing Felix Trinidad to negotiate a second fight. De La Hoya finally could have a face-to-face encounter with Trinidad next week when De La Hoya promotes a card at Club Level on Miami Beach.

Roy Jones Jr. is attempting to add his name to history, a kind of which has not been made since an Englishman named Bob beat a Gentleman named Jim in 1897 surrounded by a cast of Wild West characters. Jones faces World Boxing Association heavyweight champion John Ruiz at Thomas & Mack Center here on Saturday night. If Jones wins, he will become the first former middleweight champion to win the heavyweight belt since "Ruby" Robert Fitzsimmons knocked out "Gentleman" Jim Corbett in the 14th round on St. Patrick's Day in 1897 in the first sanctioned prize fight in Nevada.

Grace Park is the sole player to endorse Nike's new women's golf clubs. She is also the Seoul player. South Korea's Park has signed a four-year deal to use Nike's clubs and golf balls and to wear its clothes and shoes on the LPGA Tour starting in March. This is her first endorsement deal for clubs.

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