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Baseball Rumors & Notes

The Yanks do not want to further diminish Jeff Weaver's trade value and/or further erode the confidence of a pitcher whom they owe $15.5 million over the next two seasons and had hoped would be a key to future rotations. But these are the Yankees, they are always playing for just this year. So if that means Weaver must be sent down and Hitchcock and/or Osuna released to bring in what they think are better staff options, the Yanks will do that.

The Angels have informed the agent for Garret Anderson that they hope to sign the star left fielder to a contract extension this winter, a deal that — depending upon its length — could be the most lucrative in franchise history.

With fewer than six weeks remaining in the season, Red Sox manager Grady Little still hasn't been told if the team intends to pick up the option year on his contract for 2004. GM Theo Epstein said, however, that it shouldn't be considered a slight or an indication that he won't be brought back. He maintained the plan all along has been to wait until after this season before formalizing anything for next year.

Mike Hargrove is considered by many to be one of baseball's better managers, especially when it comes to developing young players. But that won't help him avoid being Peter Angelos' latest scapegoat at the end of another sorry season for the Baltimore Orioles. Eddie Murray could be the Orioles next manager.

Todd Zeile was released by the New York Yankees on Sunday, and the Mariners reportedly are talking to his agent about signing here. He first must clear 72-hour waivers before he can be a free agent. So he is unlikely to join the team tonight, when it begins a seven-game road trip through Toronto and Boston.

Lou Piniella was hired to take the Devil Rays to the playoffs. On the day they won their 50th game, Piniella said he is so encouraged by their progress that if MLB follows through on talk to add two teams to the postseason field, the Rays could be there next season. "You're going to laugh at this statement, but if they add playoff teams, we could be in that mix next summer," Piniella said

Rangers general manager John Hart said he still expects injured outfielder Juan Gonzalez to play this season, and hopefully by Sept. 1 – the deadline for a player to be traded and be eligible for the postseason. Gonzalez will seek a second opinion on his right calf Tuesday. An ultrasound test done Saturday revealed a small pocket of fluid in the calf area that may need to be drained.

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Royals manager Tony Pena confirmed Monday that he doesn't plan to rely solely on rookie closer Mike MacDougal in save situations in the season's closing weeks. Curtis Leskanic figures to get some save chances.

After a successful throwing session late yesterday afternoon, David Wells appears fit to make his next start, scheduled for Friday night. The left-hander, who was forced to miss his most recent turn in the rotation due to the sore back that had plagued him for several weeks, threw for 10-12 minutes in the bullpen without any discomfort. And that was enough for manager Joe Torre to pencil Wells in against the Baltimore Orioles.

Cardinals star Albert Pujols' 30-game hitting streak will remain on hold Tuesday night when he misses his second game in a row because of illness. Pujols hopes to have a decision on his appeal of a two-game suspension Tuesday.

Braves starter Russ Ortiz will face his former team, the Giants, for the first time tonight. At 17-5 with a 3.48 ERA, he has a legitimate chance at the NL Cy Young Award.

There is a lot of uncertainty about who will fill out the Pirates' roster next year. However, one thing is certain: Money will play a role. That shouldn't come as a surprise, after owner Kevin McClatchy said the team will have losses of $30 million over three years.

Mets catcher Mike Piazza crushed a two-run homer to left field in the first inning, giving him 345 as a catcher. He has a chance of tying or surpassing Carlton Fisk's record for catchers (351) this weekend in Los Angeles. Piazza laughed when asked about the possibility of setting the record in Chavez Ravine, where he still receives huge ovations when he plays.

The Pirates have dipped into their minor-league talent pool for two more players and will have outfielders J.J. Davis and Rob Mackowiak in uniform today for their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Davis is one of the Pirates top young player.

Rays player development/scouting director Cam Bonifay continued discussions over the weekend with top draft pick Delmon Young, with a deal possible this week.

Gabe Kapler gets invited to bar mitzvahs. Comfortable being recognized as a Jewish athlete, the Red Sox outfielder finds that some fans feel a kinship toward him before they ever meet. ``I've had a lot of bar mitzvah requests - that's a popular one,'' Kapler said. ``And one time in the dugout in Detroit I got invited to Shabbat. A lot of times, kids just say to me, `I'm Jewish, too!' I don't exactly know what to say back when they say that, but I have no problem being identified like that.'' Kapler takes pride in being recognized as a Jewish baseball player and likes the idea of Jewish youngsters seeing him as a role model or inspiration to try to make athletics a career. He does admit, however, that he isn't the most devout member of his faith.

Marlins pitcher Mark Redman was at Plantation Hospital with his wife Brandi, who gave birth to Riley Elaine on Friday. Redman was actually watching the Marlins on TV, before and after the birth. And he wasn't alone. Dr. Jay Cohen, who delivered the baby, was sitting with Redman watching the Marlins-Padres game. ''The nurses were making fun of me,'' Redman said. ``But I told them the Marlins are my family away from my family. My wife didn't mind. The doctor is a big Marlins fan, and he watched the game with me. Then when she was ready to have the baby we turned the TV off. After she had the baby -- about an hour later -- we turned the TV back on and watched the game. ``I wanted to get my daughter into the baseball atmosphere early.''

NFL Rumors & Notes

The Washington Redskins have made a contract proposal to Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey that includes a signing bonus of about $14.75 million, sources familiar with the negotiations said yesterday. The deal would make Bailey the highest-paid cornerback and one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

DT Anthony McFarland and the Bucs appear close to finalizing a six-year contract extension. The extension is worth $34-million, with a $9.5-million signing bonus, and ends an intriguing six-month courtship between the player and the team.

Duce Staley the Philadelphia Eagles holdout, in his fourth week away from training camp, is making inquiries about possible new employers from his home in Columbia, S.C. Staley was calling about the Bears when he checked in with former backfield mate Stanley Pritchett on Monday afternoon. They played together in Philadelphia in 2000 and in college at South Carolina.

Unhappy holdout Duce Staley eventually may be headed out of Philadelphia, but if the running back is on his way to Chicago, Bears coach Dick Jauron says it will be news to him. Jauron responded Monday to speculation over Staley's possible availability to the Bears by saying the team hasn't discussed a trade with the Eagles for Staley and if talks had taken place, he would know.

Duce Staley's boycott of training camp is at 22 days, costing him $110,000 in fines. That means his $2.2 million salary is down to $2.09 million. After the Eagles' morning practice at the NovaCare Complex yesterday, Andy Reid briefly addressed the Staley situation, but refused to take any questions about his talk with the running back. "I did have an opportunity to talk with Derrick Harrison, Duce's agent, and I also got a chance to talk with Duce by phone," Reid said. "We will see how things go here in the near future. It was a positive situation, and we will just see what the results are."

In the next two weeks, the Dolphins expect to shop one of its running backs, Robert Edwards or Leonard Henry, and possibly Oronde Gadsden in return for draft picks.

The Jets have contacted the agent for veteran strong safety Victor Green about a possible return, and the former Jet could be re-signed sometime this week -- perhaps as early as today, according to someone with knowledge of the talks.

The Patriots are considering former Chicago veteran right tackle James ``Big Cat'' Williams as a solution to their depth issues on the right side. The monstrous Williams (6-foot-7, 332 pounds) was in Foxboro for a visit late last week. Williams developed a reputation over his 13-year career as one of the fiercest offensive linemen in the league, and in 2001 it earned him a Pro Bowl berth. Williams started every game for the Bears from 1995-2002.

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Quick (if not scientific) answers to buzzing questions: Yes, Mike Vick was wearing cleats on an artificial playing surface, and no, that's not unheard of on the type of field now in the Georgia Dome. Now, a more difficult one: Did his choice of footwear play a role in his broken right fibula? Whether Vick's foot might have stuck in the turf Saturday night won't be known until today, when the quarterback is scheduled to have his first news conference since the injury. Even then, it's hard to say if his shoes played a role.

Speculation around the NFL was that the Vikings were interested in Philadelphia Eagles running back Duce Staley, who is holding out. Mike Tice denied that and said he is happy with his tailbacks.

The Bucs can turn their attention to Warren Sapp, also in the final year of his contract. Due to earn $6.6-million this season, the Bucs could name Sapp the franchise player, guaranteeing him $7.9-million next season. Sapp, 30, wants to remain a Buc, but the ninth-year defensive tackle also said he understands the business of the game.

The preseason hasn't done much to make Tommy Maddox look like the dominant quarterback the Steelers would like to see. But Maddox isn't shaken by his less-than-stellar performance. "It's the preseason, and that's what the preseason is for," says Maddox.

Chad Hutchinson's bid to be the Cowboys' starting quarterback will be evaluated in large part by how well he plays against Pittsburgh on Thursday. And he's not happy about it. It could be Hutchinson's last chance, as Parcells had hoped to name his starter by this point of training camp. "I don't think it would be fair to evaluate one performance, one quarter," Hutchinson said. "But that's the way it goes. If he wants to evaluate it, then fine. But I really don't think that would be fair. At all."

Falcons officials continue to say they don't envision adding a quarterback to the roster. They'll stick with Vick, Johnson, Kurt Kittner and first-year pro David Rivers. But agents for several quarterbacks called the Falcons to pitch their clients. An intriguing candidate, should Reeves and vice president of football operations Ron Hill opt to make a move, is Jamie Martin. He's played for several NFL teams, including the Rams the past two seasons.

The Redskins, remained in the running to acquire Denver Broncos defensive tackle Lional Dalton but want him to reduce his $1.6 million salary, according to NFL sources. The Broncos would get a draft pick if Dalton makes the Redskins' roster. Denver reportedly has been seeking a fifth-round choice and also has been shopping Dalton to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Redskins could make a trade for one of New Orleans's backup defensive tackles, Kenny Smith or Martin Chase, but the Saints have indicated they intend to keep starter Grady Jackson. The Chicago Bears have told suitors they plan to retain their two bulky tackles, Keith Traylor and Ted Washington.

Wide receiver Robert Ferguson missed almost half of the Green Bay Packers' training camp with a tailbone injury but that still didn't stop him from sewing up a starting job three weeks before the start of the regular season.

Colts RB Dominic Rhodes missed Monday morning's workout in order to get a second medical opinion on his ailing right knee. Coach Tony Dungy said the team's backup running back was in Birmingham, Ala., to confer with James Andrews, a noted orthopedic surgeon. "He's just seeing what someone else thinks," Dungy said. "My sense is he's like (running back Edgerrin James) was, where it's not 100 percent and he wants it to be 100 percent."

The Washington Redskins' coaches moved Ifeanyi Ohalete ahead of David Terrell yesterday in the competition for the club's starting safety spot alongside Matt Bowen.

Texans general manager Charley Casserly acknowledged Monday night the team has had discussions about a potential trade for a fullback.

Running back Lamar Smith probably would be the most attractive trade commodity among the Green Bay Packers' players expected to be released 12 days from now when all National Football League teams must reach the 53-man limit. The problem is that Smith suffered a hyperextended knee July 27 and wasn't even able to dress for practice until Monday.

The New Orleans Saints, still looking for a backup running back in the last week of training camp, brought in former No. 1 draft pick Ki-Jana Carter yesterday. Carter, drafted first by Cincinnati in 1995 after three impressive seasons at Penn State, practiced with the Saints yesterday.

Jags coach Jack Del Rio said DE Tony Brackens and RB Fred Taylor might play in Saturday night's preseason game at Tampa Bay, although Taylor did not practice again yesterday.

Lions DT Cory Redding suffered a sprained knee and might be unable to practice or play for two or three weeks. He was scheduled to have an MRI exam Monday. Even after signing veteran defensive tackle Dan (Big Daddy) Wilkinson, the Lions have indicated Redding will continue practicing at tackle.

The Tennessee Titans were among the NFL's first teams to wear no-sweat shirts.

Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El has not heard from the coaches that he will be the third quarterback this season, but he has nothing against the idea. "I think they would put Brian (St. Pierre) in just because he's been there and he's learning some of the offense," Randle El said, "but I think at some point they would probably give me a chance."

In the Dolphins locker room, where the stench of soiled sneakers and sweaty clothes lingers, Jason Taylor delivered the aromatic gift of deodorant bars, face lotions and lip moisturizers on Monday. The Dolphins defensive end, a spokesman for Neutrogena, gave a bag of skin-care products to about 85 players and coaches. Total worth of each bag: Approximately $50.

Ron Colangelo, the Jets VP of public relations, said the club has received 1,500 paid responses to the new annual $50 fee to remain on the team's waiting list for season tickets.

NBA Rumors & Notes

The Bulls are contemplating signing veteran swingman Kendall Gill to a free-agent contract, according to a team source. The Bulls clearly are trying to add veteran role players who can take defensive pressure off of promising youngsters like Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler and Jamal Crawford should they struggle under larger roles.

The Mavericks likely aren't done dealing. Chris Mills, in the last year of a contract paying $6.6 million, has piqued the interest of a number of teams. With Van Exel gone, the Mavs are in the market for a backup point guard or another low-post player.

With a week until the deadline for the Clippers to match the Heat's six-year, $65 million offer sheet for restricted free agent Lamar Odom, there is still much speculation. While one high-ranking team executive feels the Clippers will match despite owner Donald Sterling's protests, three agents who have regular dealings with the Clippers said they are leaning toward letting the 6-foot-10 Odom go. It seems the Clippers were reluctant to shell out $15 million during the first year, including $12 million up front on a player who has missed 84 games over the past two seasons.

Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Monday that he expects to "get something done in the next couple of days" regarding Reggie Miller the NBA's career leader in 3-pointers. Walsh has worked the past three weeks trying to finalize a contract for Miller, a 16-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Pacers. Neither Miller nor his agent, Arn Tellem, could be reached for comment.

The Orlando Magic are resigned to the fact that Grant Hill -- against their cautious wishes -- will attempt to come back and play sometime before the 2003-2004 season ends. The Magic want Hill -- who has had four surgeries on his left ankle in three years -- to continue his rehabilitation and return the following season.

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LeBron James, 18, became the NBA's No. 1 draft pick only two months ago and has yet to play a minute in a regular season game, but already he has garnered around $100 million in endorsements.

College Rumors & Notes

Dave Bliss' former administrative assistant said Monday that her boss was an "angry man" who sometimes asked her to do things that she believed compromised her integrity. Laura Collins-Hays, who worked for the Baylor University basketball coach for three years before resigning in March 2002, characterized the office atmosphere as frightening and said she witnessed behavior and procedures she considered questionable.

There are close to a half-dozen Virginia Tech players at "skill positions" who have been very impressive either in regular season games or so far during fall practice, ranging from tailback Kevin Jones and quarterbacks Bryan Randall and Marcus Vick to receivers DeAngelo Hall and Ernest Wilford. Even the playbook seems more exciting than usual. "This offense will be explosive," said defensive end Nathaniel Adibi, who goes against it each day in practice. "Very explosive." That's if the offensive line performs better than last season.

No one will tell Rich Alexis he's No. 1. Not Washington football coach Keith Gilbertson. Not running-backs coach Chuck Heater. And not even Alexis himself. Still, in the ongoing battle for the top running-back spot, Alexis has made big strides from fourth on the depth chart to possibly topping the list. But with 11 days to go before the big season opener against Ohio State, Washington coaches have said starting tailback, like many others positions, is up for grabs.

Florida coach Ron Zook admitted Monday that he knows which two quarterbacks have moved ahead of the competition, but he's not going to tell. It is likely Ingle Martin and Chris Leak. "I think I'd be lying if I said I didn't," Zook said.

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Georgia Tech's Nat Dorsey likely would be a high NFL draft pick whenever he decides to enter the draft, possibly as early as next season. Although he has taken a step to protect his future by taking out an insurance policy through the NCAA, Dorsey plans to focus his immediate attention on this year's team.

Georgia starting middle linebacker Odell Thurman spent part of Saturday night in the Athens-Clarke County jail after his arrest on five misdemeanor charges.

Quarterback Scott McBrien joined the legion of Maryland football players with injuries yesterday, straining his right groin in an afternoon practice. He will be held out of both practice sessions today, but could work out Wednesday or Thursday and should be ready for the 15th-ranked Terrapins' opener Aug. 28 at Northern Illinois.

Joe Bauserman, a former district player of the year as a quarterback at Strasburg High, received a full football scholarship offer from Ohio State this summer after moving to Tallahassee, Fla., specifically for major-college exposure.

Odd Notes & Stuff

An amusing and revealing interview with Michelle Wie, the 13-year-old golfing prodigy, heads a compelling edition of the HBO magazine show Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel tonight at 10. The program also updates the sad saga of Riddick Bowe, the former heavyweight boxing champion now serving an 18-month prison sentence, and the sorrier life history of Johnny Mitchell, the Jets' first-round selection in the 1992 NFL draft. The hour ends with a story of homeless U.S. soccer players that may not elicit sympathy from every viewer.

The Saturday night crowd at Light (Bellagio) lost its collective cool when Michael Jordan arrived. Even the most blase, jaded hipsters were pointing and staring. Jordan was in a fab mood; a source tells us he had won nearly six figures earlier in the evening playing craps

The PGA Championship's final-round TV ratings dropped 41 percent this year. With Tiger Woods out of contention and a surprise champion in Shaun Micheel, Sunday's action in Rochester, N.Y., drew a 4.7 overnight rating and 10 share on CBS.

Mario Lemieux did something yesterday that few thought he would do upon the conclusion of the Penguins' 2002-03 season: He hit the ice. The team's captain and owner began his summer skating regimen early yesterday morning at the Island Sports Center, his first time on ice since an April 2 game at Mellon Arena which appeared at the time might be his last in the NHL.

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Spanish papers described David Beckham's debut for Real Madrid on Spanish soil in dismal terms. After a scoreless summer trophy match against Valencia, the daily El Mundo proclaimed it a ''Mediocre Start for Beckham,'' while the sports paper AS simply called it a ``Dud.'' The star midfielder, playing his fifth match for the Spanish league champs since arriving from Manchester United for $39.3 million in June, was substituted in the match's 63rd minute after making little impact.

Ma Lihua, 24, of Beijing broke the world domino-toppling record yesterday when, in just four minutes, 303,621 of her red, white and yellow dominoes went cascading down at an exhibition in Singapore. That broke the old record by more than 40,000.

Britney Spears and ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake may be gearing up for a reunion in a new TV ad for the Gap, Ananova.com reports. If the pop princess and former boy bander agree to the deal, they'll earn over $1.6 million each.

Yet another competition has been rocked by a drug scandal — this time the Illinois State Fair, in which Mongo, a 1,294-pound Maine-Anjour steer, has been stripped of his junior-division blue ribbon after testing positive for an anti-inflammatory drug.

Ben Affleck added even more scandal to the soap opera that is his engagement to Jennifer Lopez by having accused child molester R. Kelly sing at his 31st birthday party. Kelly crooned "Happy Birthday" to Affleck at L.A. hotspot Concorde on Saturday night.

Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of heavy metal rocker and sometime Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne, is interviewing women in prison for her new talk show. Each woman was jailed for killing her abusive mate, which Osbourne claims "can happen to anyone." She's been lobbying for their release on the grounds that they're "not criminals," just people who had "a second of bad judgment."

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