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Big Ben's Thursday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

Did Bobby Valentine tip off Armando Benitez and thereby save the Mets? The former Mets manager and current ESPN "Baseball Tonight" analyst might have called Benitez in San Juan and told him he was tipping his pitches and/or flying open in his delivery.

Albert Pujols played and contributed against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday after missing Tuesday night's game with pain near his right thumb. But now there's severe pain in Pujols' right elbow, and that will cause him to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging Thursday. The elbow "hurts a lot and it hasn't gotten a whole lot better," Pujols said

Pirates OF Brian Giles had good reason for not seeking another opinion on his sprained right knee. "I got one in Chicago and I got one from our doctor and they confirmed what I wanted to hear most -- that I don't need surgery," Giles said. "I can rehabilitate it and get back as soon as possible."

Slowly, Derek Jeter is working his way back from the dislocated left shoulder he suffered Opening Day. According to Joe Torre, Jeter will begin activity involving a bat in 10 days and should be able to throw a baseball sooner, even though he won't be able to catch one before 10 days.

A new Harris Poll, conducted nationwide in the days before the start of the season and released Wednesday, found that the New York Yankees have replaced the Braves as the country's favorite baseball team.

Rays manager Lou Piniella sat in his office for more than three hours trying to figure out what to do about a rotation that through 14 games has zero wins and a 7.22 ERA. "I stayed here last night until around midnight exploring all of our options," he said. "And we don't have all that many."

The Reds are hoping the policy doesn't kick in, but if Ken Griffey Jr.'s injury proves to be season-ending, the club will collect 75 percent of Griffey's $12.5 million salary in insurance. "There's a 90-day deductible," Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. "They have to be out 90 consecutive days with the same injury." Griffey, who dislocated his right shoulder April 6, is expected to miss six to 10 weeks.

Mets infielder Jay Bell, who has said this is his final season as a player, might wind up returning to the game. "A big part of me wants to manage," he said. "I'm talking about down the road a little bit. Maybe take a year off and then manage in Rookie ball or the [Arizona] Fall League.

Montreal pitcher T.J. Tucker figured to have a fun, full day when a group of Expos made a goodwill visit to a military base near at Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. He sure did. The reliever signed tons of autographs, told bunches of stories about big-league life and showed lots of kids how to grip fastballs and curves. Oh, and one more thing -- he got shot. ''It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing,'' Tucker said.

Braves rookie reliever Jung Keun Bong got his first major league win Tuesday, but didn't get to keep the ball used at the end of the 2-1, 10-inning victory. Smoltz, not realizing the significance, tossed it to a fan in the stands. Bong, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning to lower his ERA to 2.35, laughed and said the ball was no big deal. Cox made sure he got to keep the lineup card.

Eric Dybas, 24, was charged late Wednesday with one count of aggravated battery, a felony, and one count of criminal trespass to land, a misdemeanor, for allegedly charging the field during the White Sox-Kansas City game and tackling umpire Laz Diaz. "I was gonna tackle the first guy I saw," Dybas told investigators in his statement to police, according to a source. He also told authorities, "I didn't want to hurt anyone,'' the source told the Chicago Sun-Times.

"Some people, when you mix alcohol with bad genes, this is what happens," Britt Gaston said. If you want answers, you go to the experts. Except for Morganna the Kissing Bandit, Gaston may be the most famous person to run uninvited onto a baseball field. Remember Henry Aaron's 715th home run? Gaston was one of the two guys in bellbottoms who appeared out of nowhere as Aaron rounded second base.

Did you know? The Tigers are 1-12, the worst 13-game start since the 1997 Cubs opened 0-14. It's the worst 13-game start by the Tigers since 1-12 in 1959. If they lose tonight to the Twins, they match their worst record after 14 games, set in 1920.

The White Sox have been put on notice that they must improve security at U.S. Cellular Field, where the All-Star Game is scheduled for July.

The Skutnik brothers said they did it because they love the game, and only meant to excite the crowd when they partially disrobed, leapt from the stands and raced across the playing field Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

Criminal charges against the White Sox spectator who jumped the railing and tangled with a coach last September still are winding their way through court. William Ligue Jr. and his 15-year-old son assaulted Kansas City Royals first-base coach Tom Gamboa. Gamboa, now the Royals' bullpen coach, continues to suffer hearing loss as a result of the beating. Ligue, of Alsip, has told a Cook County judge he might plead guilty if the judge offers a sentence Ligue finds favorable.

Who Knew? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Lance Berkman was only the second player in major-league history to go without a home run and RBI in his first 10 games of a season after he had at least 40 homers and 120 RBIs the previous year. Mo Vaughn became the first in 1997 with the Red Sox

Baseball's attempt at conquering the world - or at least the world's pocketbook - might next travel across the pond with regular-season games being considered for Munich, Rome, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Baseball might be considering a World Cup.

Four home runs have now been clubbed over Fenway's left field wall this season but Manny Ramirez' third-inning shot off Steve Parris was the first to actually stay in the new section of Green Monster seats. Ramirez lined the ball into the third row, where a wild scramble for the souvenir ensued. On Tuesday, Hall of Fame vice president Jeff Idelson attended the game and said the museum would love to have the first ball hit into the new seats. He won't have to do a lot of negotiating to get the minor piece of history because the ball was recovered by a Cooperstown, N.Y., native.

Mets catcher Mike Piazza was televised flipping the bird in the moments following Monday's four-game sweep by Montreal in San Juan. Apparently, Piazza wasn't targeting any particular Expo, Met or fan, but he was facing the celebratory Montreal players.

NFL Rumors & Notes

Although negotiations on a possible contract extension have yielded no progress, the Vikings have no plans to trade quarterback Daunte Culpepper, owner Red McCombs said Wednesday. There is a wide financial gap between the sides, prompting speculation the team would consider offers from Baltimore, Arizona and other teams looking for quarterback help.

Before coach Steve Mariucci took his considerable gifts to the Lions in February, he got a call from Falcons owner Arthur Blank. In fact, they huddled in San Diego during this year's Super Bowl week at the home of Falcons executive Bobby Beathard.

General Manager Rich McKay said Wednesday that Tampa Bay owner Malcolm Glazer and his family aren't putting the Buccaneers up for sale. In the team's first official comment since reports surfaced two weeks ago that Glazer was the leading candidate to purchase baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, McKay indicated that the family that has owned the Bucs since 1995 planned on keeping them.

The Bengals continued discussions Wednesday with the agents of three possible first overall draft choices. The Bengals held preliminary talks with representatives for quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Byron Leftwich, and agent David Ware said he and the Bengals started discussions Wednesday about his client, cornerback Terence Newman. "We talked about how they were determining value," Ware said Wednesday night. "We will talk again (today)."

Still without an offer sheet from the Rams on linebacker Peter Sirmon, the Titans last night were making a last-ditch effort to keep him in Nashville with a new deal of their own.

In a move expected for months, the Bears released Marcus Robinson as the six-year veteran had requested. The move saves the team $2.6 million toward the salary cap and gives Robinson the freedom to find a team where he wouldn't be the fourth receiver, as he was on the Bears' depth chart.

Miami hasn't made an offer to free agent safety Sammy Knight. ''Sammy's an impressive guy and we would love to have him,'' Wannstedt said. ``I don't know if we can make it work.''

Will the Cowboys deal their first round draft pick. "To earn that pick hurts," Jerry Jones said. "You have a chance to get an impact player who can help your team, so unless it was so compelling, I'd be reluctant to do trade." The Cowboys have needs at cornerback, defensive end and defensive tackle, which Jones said could make it easier to trade.

Hours after Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich solidified his draft standing by passing the team's physical yesterday, the Ravens announced they reached an agreement in principle with receiver Frank Sanders. Slated to be the team's No. 2 wide-out, he is expected to sign a four-year contract, believed to be worth about $7 million, by the end of the week.

Andre Johnson isn't typically regarded as a backup, but that's how the Lions might be looking at the former University of Miami wide receiver. If the Houston Texans trade up and take Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers, for instance, at the NFL draft on April 26-27, the Lions are still going to be looking for a top receiver for quarterback Joey Harrington.

Despite being one of the NFL's fastest players, Jermaine Lewis seldom will line up at wide receiver. The Jaguars say they will not overwork him in practice during the week, and Lewis will be fortunate to touch the ball more than three or four times as a kick returner on Sundays. "We're going to be careful with him,'' Jaguars vice president of player personnel James Harris said.

Free agency will be on the back burner until after the Patriots draft. Bill Belichick said it was unlikely the Pats will make a move in the next 10 days, including an offer sheet to restricted free agent defensive tackle Jermaine Haley by Friday's deadline. He said any move toward receiver Oronde Gadsden was also unlikely.

Kordell Stewart said he's not worried about the Bears drafting another QB but Slash added, That he's not interested in tutoring a young quarterback in his first year with the Bears. "I'm still learning the system," he said. "I have to tutor myself first.

Oregon's Onterrio Smith paid a visit to Rams Park, and the club is known to have talked to Miami (Fla.'s) Willis McGahee and Southern California's Sultan McCullough, among others, at the NFL Scouting Combine. Still, because of more pressing needs at other positions, halfback may have to wait until the second day of the draft.

Lions coach Steve Mariucci thinks sometimes you must draft players to counter a division opponent's strength. "Everything I talk about is being better than the Bears, Packers and Vikings," he said. "That is what we think about every waking moment. Is it easy? No. Those are three fine organizations. But we have to find a way to be better than them."

Wearing a Houston Texans T-shirt, Kansas State standout cornerback Terence Newman chose weightlifting over a lengthy interview. "You guys don't want to talk to me. I'm out of college," Newman said earlier this week at the football complex. Newman -- considered among the top players in the NFL draft on April 26 -- surely has heard the chatter about his shoulder, the center of controversy lately.

Unless something dramatic or wholly unexpected takes place, the Giants on April 26 will select a defensive lineman with their first-round pick in the NFL Draft. And they believe that who "I don't see anybody just beating out at least the two tackles [Cornelius Griffin and Keith Hamilton] and [Michael] Strahan," GM Ernie Accorsi said yesterday ever that player is, he won't need to be inserted instantly as either a starter or a savior. Miami's William Joseph is one of several defensive lineman that the Giants are considering with their 1st-round pick.

The Saints move of training camp angered some lawmakers, who took to the Louisiana House and Senate floors Tuesday to voice their unhappiness. Several legislators had backed the state's contract with the team under the belief that training camp would remain in Thibodaux through at least 2004. Sen. Joel Chaisson II, D-Destrehan, whose district includes the Nicholls State campus, called the move "inexcusable. "Lie! Lie! Lie!" Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, shouted into the House microphone.

NBA Rumors & Notes

Alonzo Mourning is extremely confident he will return to the basketball court next season. As for his future with the Heat, the center isn't nearly as positive.

Jason Terry said he will be "unemployed" after Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Hornets, but the restricted free agent wants to stay in a Hawks uniform beyond that. "You know I want to come back," Terry said. "That's my first and foremost goal -- to try to get something worked out [here]."

Less than 24 hours after the end of the season, the lobbying begins and Sonics forward Rashard Lewis expects to work the phones this summer in an attempt to sway the top free agents into considering Seattle. He has the phone number of Andre Miller, a restricted free agent this summer, on speed dial. Miller is considered one of the top point guards on the market behind Jason Kidd and Gary Payton and will likely be wooed by Utah and possibly San Antonio.

Undersized at small forward and not as athletic as he used to be, Latrell Sprewell, who turns 33 in September, knows the Knicks may try to move him. P.J. Brown, whom Don Chaney loves, Dale Davis, Rasho Nesterovic, Keon Clark, Juwan Howard, Karl Malone and Alonzo Mourning are available.

Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich is intent on coming back to Houston next season.

Along with Byron Russell saying goodbye to the organization, Charles Oakley is not likely to be back next season. For the next few weeks, people are going to try to assign blame to this season, but don't try to tell Oakley that any blame should be directed at Jordan. "I don't think what happened here was MJ's fault," Oakley said. "If anything, he helped it."

Jalen Rose was told by new Bulls GM John Paxon that it's time to take on more responsibility and leadership, making matters such as off-season workouts and on-time arrivals more of a priority. Jamal Crawford was asked about his relationship with Jay Williams and whether he can lead or if he's too worried about statistics and his contract situation.

Sonics coach Nate McMillan hinted he might walk away with two years remaining on his contract. Those who know him didn't take him too seriously. "Nate is just too hard on himself," his wife said. "I mean, really, really hard. I've always told him, you can only do what you can do, and work with what you have.

Dikembe Mutombo was sliding back into the Nets' rotation. Slowly, it was coming. Then family tragedy hit. Still, the Nets feel the 7-2 center can be ready physically for the weekend start to the playoffs. But they do worry about his emotional state. "He's an experienced guy. He knows how to prepare for games. From an emotional standpoint, we'll have to see," said team president Rod Thorn, admitting Mutombo was doing "not too well" after learning of his brother's death.

Ben Wallace isn't making any legally binding promises, but all signs point to his return for the start of the playoffs Sunday. Wallace and the Pistons have maintained he'd be ready for the playoffs since he suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee April 6. "I'm feeling better," Wallace said Wednesday

Thanks to Fox Sports Net's "Beyond the Glory" profiling Mark Cuban this Sunday, we learn even more about the Maverickls own boy billionaire. Cuban was a bad actor in "Talking About Sex" what some say was a soft porn film.

Charlie Ward hinted that the Knicks want him to return for a 10th season. The Knicks can buy out Ward's contract for $2 million but it seems unlikely they would do so because Frank Williams isn't ready, second-round pick Milos Vujanic signed with F.C. Barcelona and Ward is still their best point guard.

Cavaliers Coach Keith Smart hasn't been told whether he will return as head coach next season. ``For me, I just feel I did what I was supposed to do and now, it's out of my hands,'' he said. ``This is a great place to be. If I'm not back as the head coach, I'd go back to the mode of learning again, and continue to try to perfect my craft.'' Smart said he has no problem with being assigned in another capacity within the organization, even if it's as an assistant coach.

Contract extensions for the Celtics assistant coaches may not be the simple exercise it would appear. Jim O'Brien's staff is without individual deals for next season, despite the fact the head coach is signed through 2003-04.

Monday, Wizards coach Doug Collins accused some players of an "insidious" disrespect for himself and the game. By the time players gathered in the locker room tonight, several appeared frustrated. "I don't know what [Collins] was doing," said veteran Charles Oakley.

It's going to be close. That's all anyone really can predict about the NBA's most valuable player race, which concludes this afternoon when 126 authorized voters must e-mail or fax their final ballots to the NBA offices. Wolves forward Kevin Garnett remains a top candidate, as do San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Orlando's Tracy McGrady and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant.

The city that booed Santa Claus, that booed the Easter Bunny, that booed native son Kobe Bryant, cheered Michael Jordan as it has never cheered a player who wasn't its own. Wednesday night, they loved him as much as any city has other than Chicago and maybe New York.

Philadelphia icon Bill Cosby sat on the baseline. Eagles coach Andy Reid took time out from watching film of prospective draft choices to take in the festivities. Two heroes from the 76ers' past, Julius Erving and Moses Malone, were in the house. Philadelphian Teddy Pendergrass performed a moving rendition of the national anthem all to say goodbye to Michael Jordan.

Following a fan's suggestion that the Sixers show gratitude to the United Kingdom for its support in Iraq, Sixers executive vice president Dave Coskey's wheels started spinning. Coskey sent an e-mail to the chief press officer of the British Embassy in Washington, saying the team would like to extend an invitation to a game for any staff member. The immediate response was if anyone could attend, the Brits would let the Sixers know. Attending Sunday's game against the Hornets was deputy consul-general Duncan Taylor, his son and the honorary consul-general for Philadelphia.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have new uniforms for the 2003-2004 season. If only they could get new players.

College Rumors & Notes

Kansas officials sent a message to the North Carolina basketball program Wednesday: Tell Roy Williams to back off. On at least two occasions since leaving KU for the Tar Heels on Monday, Williams has hinted -- during nationally televised interviews -- that KU recruits David Padgett and Omar Wilkes shouldn't be penalized if they want to back out of their letters of intent to attend KU. Some Kansas insiders believe Williams is trying to woo the pair of highly touted high school seniors to North Carolina.

Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese - one of the most influential voices in college athletics - is deeply upset about growing reports that the Atlantic Coast Conference - which apparently is looking to expand to 12 teams in order to facilitate a lucrative postseason conference football playoff - is attempting to rip the heart out of his conference by assimilating some of its key members. According to Tranghese, the ACC has approached four Big East schools - Miami, Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Boston College - in a variety of ways about defecting from the Big East and joining that league.

Kansas received permission to speak with Illinois coach Bill Self and are allowed to contact Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon, a former player and assistant coach for the Jayhawks under both Larry Brown and Williams.

Marquette coach Tom Crean will be considered a top candidate at Illinois if Bill Self goes to Kansas.

All-American guard T.J. Ford of Texas was injured during a pickup basketball game and was released from a hospital after four hours of treatment. Team spokesman Scott McConnell would not elaborate on the injury, citing federal privacy laws.

If another college lures Todd Lickliter away from Butler, it will pay a price. Butler, which drew about 750 fans to a tribute for its NCAA Sweet Sixteen basketball team Wednesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse, signed its coach to a new contract late Monday that is believed to approach $200,000 annually.

West Virginia plans to cut five varsity sports, a move that will affect more than 50 students and save an estimated $591,230 a year, Athletic Director Ed Pastilong said Wednesday. Sports that will be eliminated, beginning in the 2003-2004 school year, are rifle, men's tennis, men's cross country and the men's indoor and outdoor track teams

Odd Notes & Stuff

Lennox Lewis laughed when he heard what an HBO commentator had to say about heavyweights. The announcer argued that the division was in a mess because Roy Jones Jr. had moved up from light heavyweight to beat WBA champ John Ruiz last month. "Why would it be in shambles? Looking at all the heavyweights who are still out there boxing, I'm still the best," Lewis said. "I'm still at the top of my game. I don't see anybody who can touch me. I still have a little longevity left."

University of Wisconsin Coach Mike Eaves is not interested in replacing Rick Kehoe as head coach of the Penguins. The timing's not right," said Eaves, a member of Kevin Constantine's staff with the Penguins in the late 1990s.

The radio voice of the Tigers and Red Wings, WXYT 1270, has moved into the big leagues. At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the station was boosted to 50,000 watts from its new transmission facility in Monroe County. WXYT had been a 5,000-watt station.

A NASCAR fan faces up to a year in prison for flooding Fox Entertainment with more than a half-million e-mails because he was angry the network aired a Boston Red Sox game instead of an auto race.

After six seasons of play, tens of millions of dollars in losses and one nasty labor dispute, the future of the WNBA comes down to a critical meeting today.

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