The Sporting News articles from November 2001

The Sporting News archives from November 2001

Sportingnews.com.
November 5, 2001... Air quality watch The hype is the same, but what about the game? THE SPORTING NEWS tracks Michael Jordan's return, comparing his stats after each game to his last full season. If Jordan's production is anywhere near where it used to be,...

Sporting news radio.
November 5, 2001... Monster coverage Don't miss NFL Monster Mondays airing live from NFL Films studios in New Jersey every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Join senior football analyst Brian Baldinger and "Nasty" Nestor Aparicio as they provide extensive news...

`Hey, didn't you used to be a BCS lock?' (Caught On The Fly: fly@sportingnews.com).
November 5, 2001... Know this, Heat seekers: Rod Strickland's finally facin' something bigger than his collection of problems (alcohol, anger management, self-discipline, defense, effort and punctuality, among others) and that's Riles' ego. Coach thinks he's the...

Papa Joe Chevalier: on the designated hitter. (Sound bites: heard on the air from Sporting news radio program hosts).
November 5, 2001... "Is there any shortage of runs in either league? No!... So the DH is no longer necessary... I didn't support the DH in the '70s and I don't support it today. It stinks, it has always stunk and will remain to stink as long as it's alive and...

Bill Parcells: on the 49ers' success. (Sound bites: heard on the air from Sporting news radio program hosts).
November 5, 2001... "San Francisco probably has done the best job of developing quarterbacks... with (Joe) Montana, Steve Young and now (Jeff) Garcia, and I have to credit Bill Walsh for that. I think he's the guy that had the insight into these guys." Bill...

Rick Ballou: On college football. (Sound bites: heard on the air from Sporting news radio program hosts).
November 5, 2001... "The one thing that the Northeast lacks is college football. They have tremendous knowledge and enthusiasm in professional sports, but the passion for college football is not there." Rick Ballou can be heard from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. ET Monday...

Bob Hille's starting 5. (Caught On The Fly:fly@sportingnews.com).
November 5, 2001... (1) The World Series. I couldn't decide whether to aid national healing by rooting for the Yankees or to jumpstart the economy by sending a $20 gift to Microsoft. (2) The University of Kentucky. You can report potential NCAA...

Getting back to reality. (Remote Patrol: fquindt@sportingnews.com).(sports viewing increases after September 11th)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Almost immediately, I had our post-September 11 existence pegged: 1) More folks would stay home, "cocooning" in front of the tube; 2) They would avoid "reality" shows (the news supplies beaucoup reality); 3) Viewers would flock to the...

Static. (Remote Patrol: fquindt@sportingnews.com).
November 5, 2001... * What, NBC worry? News tickers have quoted IOC officials questioning whether the Salt Lake Games should go on if the host country is at war. NBC has a few billion reasons to insist they proceed--but claims it hasn't looked into any alternative...

Choice voice. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
November 5, 2001... "Forget Nostradamus, Ken Rosenthal is TSN's supreme prognosticator. His column titled `The Red Sox are a sure thing--sure to detonate' foretold the Sox's season. Date of the column? March 19, 2001. --Dave Breig, Maple Grove, Minn.

Plugged in. (Voice Of The Fan).(Brian Billick)
November 5, 2001... I enjoyed your coverage of Brian Billick and his digital methods used to prepare the Ravens (TSN, October 29). Fascinating information and excellent analysis. Not your typical sports coverage involving scores or who should have been...

Look again. (Voice Of The Fan).(Ennis Haywood)
November 5, 2001... In regards to who is listed (and who isn't) in your Draftwatch on October 22, you need to take a look at Ennis Haywood of Iowa State. How could you rank Ladell Betts of Iowa third in your list when he isn't even the best running back in the...

He hate it. (Voice Of The Fan).(Cowboys-Redskins game)
November 5, 2001... I just got done watching the Cowboys-Redskins game (the battle for the second pick in the draft). Games like this make you miss the XFL. Willie Roberts Hanover, Pa.

Good isn't good enough. (Voice Of The Fan).(Braves)
November 5, 2001... What good does it do to win your division in baseball 10 of the past 11 years and win only one World Series? The Braves have had this problem too long, due to the type of players they sign. The bench and some regular players are players no...

Bearish forecast. (Voice Of The Fan).(Grizzlies)
November 5, 2001... How could you predict the Grizzlies to finish dead last in the Western Conference (TSN, October 22)? They have overhauled their roster, returning only six players from last year's inept team, and have inserted a new uptempo offense to utilize...

Weigh-in: the best of the best. (Voice Of The Fan).(Kurt Warner)
November 5, 2001... Several NFL players have had outstanding performances in the early going. But who's the leading candidate for offensive MVP at this point? Jeff Hangartner of Green Bay, Wis., is a huge Packers fan, but his vote isn't going to Brett Favre....

The weigh-in. (Voice Of The Fan).(NBA's Western Conference)
November 5, 2001... Once again, the NBA's Western Conference is stacked. Is there a team that can stop L.A.? Is Sacramento ready to take the next step? Can San Antonio get the job done? Does Utah have one more run in it? What about the improving Mavericks and the...

Battery up: the first two games of the World Series magnified the critical relationship between pitcher and catcher. (Baseball/***The World Series***).(Damian Miller, Curt Schilling)
November 5, 2001... All games should be this easy for Damian Miller, the affable and loquacious catcher for the Diamondbacks. He has Curt Schilling on the mound, and Schilling, as he usually does, is handling most of the workload. Schilling, maybe the most...

With contraction, less really would be less. (Baseball/Insider).(elimination of teams)
November 5, 2001... One general manager says teams already are offering him trades based on whom they might select in a dispersal draft. Other baseball people are speculating that Marlins righthander Josh Beckett or Expos outfielder Vladimir Guerrero would be the...

Baseball A.L. notes.(players)
November 5, 2001... A.L. East BALTIMORE ORIOLES: LHP Matt Riley, who missed the season after undergoing elbow surgery, has been impressive in his early appearances in the fall instructional league and could be a factor in the race for rotation jobs in 2002....

A.L./N.L. notes.(baseball)
November 5, 2001... N.L. East ATLANTA BRAVES: The team would love to keep its bullpen intact, but that isn't likely. The top priority is signing RHP John Smoltz, but the notion the team will try to sign him before he hits the market probably isn't realistic....

The great debate: Nebraska snapped Oklahoma's 20-game winning streak, preserved its own unblemished record and emerged with a Heisman favorite in Eric Crouch. But this was only round 1, and the arguments about which team will get the last word won't go away. (College Football).
November 5, 2001... You'll have to excuse my friend here, who is hardly an official college football expert. A diehard fan, yes, but a paid professional? No. More than a month remains in the regular season, and already he's spouting that the Heisman Trophy race is...

No offense, but the Huskers'D is the key. (Insider/College Football).
November 5, 2001... As the Nebraska defense takes the field, AC/DC's "Back in Black" blares over the Memorial Stadium PA. It's meant to fire up a unit affectionately known as the Blackshirts. It's working on middle linebacker Jamie Burrow. He waves his arms....

TSN power poll: the TSN power poll is determined by TSN editors.(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... TSN POWER POLL The TSN Power Poll is determined by TSN editors. Rk. Team (last week) W-L Last week 1. Miami (1) 6-0 W, 45-3 vs. West Virginia 2. Nebraska (3) 9-0 W, 20-10 vs. Oklahoma ...

Overrated.(Louisiana State University's football team)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... LSU. Stop us when you realize you've heard this before. The team has as much talent as any in the nation. It has struggled of late, but with a new coach and a new attitude, championship hopes are alive again. Welcome to LSU football. Pick any...

Underrated.(Syracuse University's football team)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Syracuse. This was supposed to be Paul Pasqualoni's season on the hot seat at Syracuse. It could be his most defining season in 11 years in upstate New York. The Orangemen began 2001 with losses to Georgia Tech and Tennessee but have rolled off...

Ups & downs.(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Texas RB Cedric Benson. Benson didn't touch the ball in the loss to Oklahoma because the Longhorns' staff --specifically, coach Mack Brown--didn't think the freshman could handle blitz protections. Apparently, he's handling them just fine now....

Player of the week: Oregon RB Onterrio Smith.(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Quarterback Joey Harrington has a billboard. Running back Maurice Morris does, too. Is it too late to throw one up for Smith? All he did was save the Duck's season. Smith rushed for a school-record 285 yards and three TDs in Oregon's 24-17...

Conference call. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Brandon Doman, BYU It's late, but BYU officials are trying frantically to get their man Doman in the Heisman Trophy race. They threw out a poster of Doman standing with a menacing look and a caption that reads: "Domanator." Please....

This week's spotlight: underrated quarterbacks. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE Darian Durant, North Carolina. The Tar Heels turned things around because Durant became a factor early in his redshirt freshman season. Durant is splitting time with Ronald Curry, but he is UNC's most polished...

UCLA at Washington State. (Big Game Preview).(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Fox Sports NW Why you should watch: Until last Saturday, there were all sorts of compelling reasons to tune in to this game. Fans could find out if Wazzu was for real, or if UCLA could continue its improbable march...

Matt Hayes' six picks. (Big Game Preview).(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Florida State 23, Clemson 20 Defense, TBs Maddox and Jones keep Seminoles in ACC title hunt. Illinois 28, Purdue 24 QB Kittner, WR Lloyd stay hot; so do surging Illini. Michigan 23, Michigan State 16 LBs Foote, Hobson slow MSU's...

Inside recruiting offensive linemen: recruiting analyst Bobby Burton ranks the top 25 senior prospects. (Big Game Preview).(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... INSIDE RECRUITING Offensive linemen Recruiting analyst Bobby Burton ranks the top 25 senior prospects. Rk. Name Hr./wt. 40 yd. Town/High school 1. Justin Blalock 6-4/325 5.1 Plano, Texas/Plano...

Recruiting dish. (Big Game Preview).(college football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Four players from national junior college power San Francisco City College visited Southern California during the weekend of the Trojans' victory over Arizona State. Two of the players, LBs Lance Mitchell and Pasha Jackson, are considered among...

The king for a day: want to know what it feels like to drive a Winston Cup racecar? TSN's rookie driver takes you along for the ride. (Nascar).
November 5, 2001... In my ideal Richard Petty Driving experience scenario, after my eighth and final lap around the track, someone yells across pit road, "Call Richard! We need to get this gal a ride NOW!" Alas, I'm keeping my day job--for now. It turns out...

Riding high with Rusty's brothers. (Insider).(automobile racing drivers Rusty, Mike, Kenny Wallace)
November 5, 2001... Rusty Wallace always has seen his brothers, Mike and Kenny, in his rearview mirror. Soon he might be looking at their bumpers. Imagine the sibling rivalry. For the first time in their careers, all three brothers have cars and teams capable of...

He's only 30.(automobile racing driver Jeff Gordon)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... We haven't written much about Jeff Gordon lately because his storyline has provided little drama. All you need to know is that he is well on his way to winning his fourth Winston Cup championship. And he's only 30. So how were Richard...

Down the road.(Pop Secret 400, automobile race)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Race: Pop Secret 400, No. 32 of 36. When: 1 p.m. (Eastern) Sunday, TNT. Where: North Carolina Speedway, 1.017-mile oval, Rockingham, N.C. Last year's winner:, Dale Jarrett. Three to watch: Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace, Jeff...

New coaches never have it easy. (NBA/Insider).(basketball coaches Doug Collins, John Lucas, Maurice Cheeks, Rick Carlisle)
November 5, 2001... Dave Cowens remembers his first stint as a coach, vaguely. Back in 1978-79, when he still was playing with Boston during the hardscrabble years in which John Y. Brown owned the team, the Celtics had the capital idea of making Cowens a coach....

A look at the rooks. (NBA/Insider).(basketball players)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Handicapping the Rookie of the Year race is a bit like solving a good murder mystery. While the average mystery criminal needs motive, means and opportunity, the average NBA rookie needs regular playing time, the ball and a patient coach. ...

An NBA baptism, Houston-style. (NBA/Insider).(Eddie Griffin draft night)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... This was Eddie Griffin's introduction to the working world. Growing up in Philadelphia, Griffin never had a job. "My parents worked," he says. "So I just went to school and played." The night of the NBA draft marked Griffin's first attempt...

It's too early to rule on the rules.(illegal defenses out)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... If it seems difficult to get a handle on the NBA's new rules, don't fret. You're not the only one confused. Even the coaches didn't quite know what to expect when the season started this week. "We had the NBA referees come in and talk to...

Who's down, who's out. (Injuries).(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... The preseason was rife with the usual amount of injuries designed to help players miss two-a-day practices, but some of the aches will be a pain well past the start of the regular season. With real preseason injuries to key players seemingly at...

Allison gives Kings the tools in this trade. (NHL/Insider).(Jason Allison, hockey player)
November 5, 2001... A year ago, I was assigned a story that became an interesting project: Determine the five most important tools in hockey. The five tools in baseball are simple--hitting for average, hitting for power, speed, throwing ability and fielding....

NHL.(hockey)
November 5, 2001... Scouting the opposition You can't find a press box in the NHL at this time of the season that doesn't have six to 12 scouts in it. They're watching for what's working and what isn't, and which players to watch--or to trade for. Larry Wigge...

Duke gets the best point(s). (Insider/College Basketball).(basketball)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... The best point guard in Division I plays for Duke. But you knew that, right? You've seen what Jason Williams can do with a basketball. You've seen him score 34 points against Boston College, nail 15 of 18 free throws against NC State, pass for...

The new monster in the middle: The Bears are looking down at the rest of the NFC Central, thanks to a punishing defense led by the incomparable Brian Urlacher. (NFL).(football)(Cover Story)
November 5, 2001... An Urlacher moment The first play of overtime Sunday at Soldier Field. San Francisco receiver Terrell Owens comes across the middle. He sees a Jeff Garcia pass headed his way. But in the corner of his eye, he sees Bears middle linebacker...

Why the Rams finally have a defense. (NFL/Insider).(football)
November 5, 2001... To properly chronicle the renaissance of the Rams' defense, one must begin at the beginning. So last Tuesday afternoon, Lovie Smith popped a tape into the VCR in his second-floor office at Rams Park. 6-1-01 A.M. read the title on the...

Bucs need to play to their strong suit. (NFL/Insider).(football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... The Buccaneers are to football analysts what penny stocks are to investors: volatile, unpredictable and ultimately disappointing. One week this team allows Jerome Bettis to rush for 143 yards and the next the Bucs blow out the Vikings by 27...

Week 8 matchup. (NFL/Insider).(football players Rod Smith and Charles Woodson)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Rod Smith vs. Charles Woodson Rarely does an individual matchup have as much bearing on the outcome of a game as this one: Broncos WR Rod Smith vs. Raiders CB Charles Woodson on Monday night in Oakland. Smith has averaged almost 84...

Tight ends. (Draftwatch).(football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... This is your typical tight end class, with a few good-looking receiver specialists, not many receiver-blocker combo players and not much depth. At this point, only Colorado's Dan Graham looks like a first-rounder. 1. Dan Graham, 6-2, 240,...

Draftdish: by the war room.(football draft)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Safeties typically are not coveted on draft day, particularly strong safeties. In fact, in the past three years only two safeties have been selected in the first round--Adam Archuleta and Derrick Gibson this year. But with such rare talents as...

Respect the Dilfer effect. (Going deep).(drafting of players by football team Houston Texans)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Charley Casserly and Chris Palmer were in Oregon last week, doing what every competent G.M. and offensive coordinator of an expansion team should do in preparation for their club's first draft. These two Houston Texans were scouting...

Don't blame officials for flagging play. (On the run).(football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... What's going on with the guys who officiate NFL games? Why are they throwing so many flags? The games are taking too long, and the officials are not helping. This is how a lot of fans feel, so I decided to do some research on it. I was...

Cut Dungy some slack. (Scout's views).(football coach Tony Dungy)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... Observations and opinions from two NFL pro scouts, one from each conference: I think it's very unfair that Tony Dungy is taking the heat in Tampa. You can trace the Bucs' problems to when he was instructed to get rid of (offensive...

League leaders.(football)
November 5, 2001... RUSHING Atts. Yds. Avg. TDs. C. Martin, NYJ 153 738 4.8 7 James, Ind. 151 662 4.4 3 Dillon, Cin. 150 625 4.2 4 Tomlinson, S.D. 168 620...

TSN Scoreboard.(football)
November 5, 2001... TSN SCOREBOARD NFC EAST PHI NYG DAL ARI WAS W-L 3-3 3-4 2-4 2-4 2-5 Pct. .500 .429 ...

Game previews: Broncos at Raiders. (NFL/Insider).(football)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... To say Al Davis and the Raiders aren't fond of Mike Shanahan and the Broncos would be an understatement. These bitter rivals again were expected to be the top contenders in the AFC West, but only Oakland is meeting these expectations while...

Fantasy Source. (NFL/Insider).(match between football teams Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers; includes other notes)(Brief Article)
November 5, 2001... If there is one place the Buccaneers do not want to be as they try to climb back in the NFC Central race, it is in Green Bay. The Packers struggled in a 14-10 loss in the first meeting between the teams back on October 7. However, the...

AFC East. (NFL).(brief football notes)
November 5, 2001... Buffalo Bills www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bills ON THE RUN: The Bills' hope of turning their season around in the second half will hinge on their defense's ability to stop the run. The run defense has been mediocre. Despite playing...

AFC Central.(brief football notes)
November 5, 2001... Baltimore Ravens www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens LOST CAUSE: The offensive line problems continue to grow. RT Leon Searcy reinjured a triceps muscle last week and was placed on injured reserve. Searcy has not played a down this...

AFC West.(brief football notes)
November 5, 2001... Denver Broncos www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bronchos TRULY VALUED: If MVP means an outstanding player who is indispensable to his team, then WR Rod Smith would be in the running. Through seven games, he has a league-best 57...

NFC East.(brief football notes)
November 5, 2001... Arizona Cardinals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals HEALTH CONCERN: RB Michael Pittman's recurring concussions are becoming a serious concern. Pittman suffered his second concussion of the season last Sunday against the Cowboys...

NFC Central.(brief football notes)
November 5, 2001... Chicago Bears www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bears STEPPING UP: WR David Terrell, the club's No. 1 pick, and RB Anthony Thomas, the No. 2, have moved into featured roles in the offense. Terrell finally is running routes precisely...

NFC West.(brief football notes)
November 5, 2001... EXTRA YARDAGE Atlanta Falcons www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/falcons GOOD MOVE: Keith Brooking's successful move to middle linebacker has been one of the reasons the team has exceeded expectations. Not only has Brooking made a...

The world series is worth the wait.(baseball player Mike Morgan)(Interview)
November 5, 2001... They were 17 years old, and one thing led to another, and they had a baby boy they named Mike. They dropped out of school. They got in the car, and they drove out of California across mountains and desert to Las Vegas. They carried the boy...

SPORTINGNEWS.com.(sports online)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... Rev It up With the Winston Cup season winding down, now's the time to vote for NASCAR's best. Driver of the year candidates are Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Sterling Marlin. Other categories include top rookie, top...

Sporting news radio.(football news)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... Choice picks Looking for midseason advice on your NFL fantasy team? Join Kevin Wheeler at 8 a.m. ET every Saturday and Sunday for an in-depth look at the world of fantasy football. Packed with expert analysis and the latest news, Fantasy...

Hey, didn't you used to be Scottie Pippen? (Caught on the fly: fly@sportingnews.com).(sports news)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... Fly thought, uh-uh, no way Nuggetnoggin Dan Issel lets new G.M. Kiki Vandeweghe wear the pants 'round this here mile-high mess. As ex-Mrs. Fly told current Mrs. Fly: "Better get a pre-nup, Kiki." But seems The Keekster has pants of his own. He...

On the Eagles' offensive woes: Bill Parcells. (Sound Bites).(words)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... "I simply do not believe... the Eagles are going to make very many big plays in the passing game.... They just can't get the ball to their wide receivers. (Donovan) McNabb is having trouble in the passing game, and I think they're in trouble."...

On contraction in baseball: Bruce Murray. (Sound Bites).(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... "What are the four season-ticket holders in Minnesota and the two in Montreal going to do with their 81 free nights a year? At least if Tampa folded, their fans wouldn't be awake late enough to notice it." Bruce Murray can be heard from...

On the Lakers winning again: Peter Brown. (Sound Bites).(Interview)
November 12, 2001... "Unless Kobe and Shaq get in another lovers' quarrel, there's no reason why the Lakers shouldn't dominate again. That way, Michael can stay up late watching instead of taking the kids to school the next day." Peter Brown can be heard from...

Bob Hille's starting 5. (TSN Sights).
November 12, 2001... 1 Byung-Hyun Kim. Is he forever scarred? Put it this way: Five years from now, a team will have to do some serious Seoul-searching before signing him. 2 The NFL. League owners ratified a three-year extension of the collective...

The ex-factor in broadcasting. (Remote Patrol).(ex-coaches in the booth)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... An October ago, Bob Brenly was expert-analyzing in Fox's booth. This fall, he was in the dugout as first-year manager of a team playing in its first World Series. Which proves broadcasters really are know-it-alls, y'know. "His...

Static. (TSN Sights).(brief notes)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... * Grading on the curve: World Series on Fox... B. Close-up excesses (14 of Randy Johnson-Andy Pettitte in the second inning of Game 2)... D. Exotica graphica... A. Fan-Cam... B+. Tim McCarver's rehearsed ad-lib, "The Yankees were a team...

Choice voice. (Voice Of The Fan).
November 12, 2001... `Brian Billick clearly couldn't be more impressed with himself. He doesn't need everyone else's adulation. If you want to write an article that's worth reading, how about a story on Butch Davis (the guy whose low-tech Browns manhandled the...

A doubter converted. (Voice Of The Fan).
November 12, 2001... After reading the article about Joe Paterno (TSN, October 29), I have to admit I've had a change of heart. Until now, I assumed that big-time college football had left JoePa in its dust, but now I know that Joe Paterno is the one true "king of...

Crossed wires. (Voice Of The Fan).
November 12, 2001... After reading your article about the technically savvy Ravens (TSN, October 29), I realized how tired I am of hearing about the Ravens. No one ever seems to point out that the Ravens' schedule last year was for the most part against teams that...

Weigh-in: who can stop the Lakers? (Voice Of The Fan).(basketball team)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... Zones or no zones, what team can stop Shaquille O'Neal? That's why the Lakers are heavily favored to defend their NBA title. We checked with readers to find out which Western Conference teams might have the best chance against L.A. The...

Not all about the money. (Voice Of The Fan).
November 12, 2001... Much has been made about the impact of inflated sports salaries and the impact this has had, presumably conferring an overwhelming advantage to big-market teams that can afford to "buy" a championship team. The Seattle Mariners would seem to...

Comebackers: the Diamondbacks won an unforgettable World Series by matching the Yankees' strengths: confidence, resilience and starting pitching. (Baseball: the world series).(Cover Story)(Statistical Data Included)
November 12, 2001... Somehow, Steve Finley laughs. Almost laughs, anyway. Certainly, he grins, an ironic, can-you-believe-it grin out there in center field at Yankee Stadium, near the monuments and plaques to all those Yankees greats--Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth and...

2002 power poll.(professional baseball teams plan for next season)(Brief Article)
November 12, 2001... The owners can do what they want, but 30 teams should play next season, and the owners should refuse to eliminate the Expos, Twins or any other club from this poll. A dispersal draft could disrupt these rankings, but it's doubtful. Unless the...

An album of snapshots from a true fall classic. (Baseball: Insider).(Statistical Data Included)
November 12, 2001... If this World Series wasn't the best of our generation--see Twins-Braves, 1991 it probably was the most inspiring and certainly the most debated. Here are the things I'll remember about Yankees-Diamondbacks, the state of the game and the...

Baseball: A.L. notes.(American League)(Statistical Data Included)
November 12, 2001... A.L. East BALTIMORE ORIOLES: The team will be watching closely to see which major players are made available by trade this winter, keeping a close eye on stars such as Angels 1B Mo Vaughn and Phillies 3B Scott Rolen. The team has an...