Yankees' Alfonso Soriano hitting his way to stardom; second baseman's talent is drawing comparisons to some Hall of Famers, but his only concern is improving his game. (With A Snap of the Wrists ...).

BALLPLAYERS WHO HAVE SEEN IT all admit they haven't seen anything like the Yankees' Alfonso Soriano. Hard-to-please types, too, as in Sandy Koufax, Reggie Jackson and Joe Torre.

They can't gush enough about Soriano, a veteran of little more than two major league seasons.

Koufax, so reclusive he's heard from once every few years, called the other day to tell Torre he believes Soriano has the quickest hands he has ever seen. Quicker than Hank Aaron, quicker than Frank Robinson, quicker than Willie Mays. Quicker than Tommy Lasorda at the dinner table.

Jackson isn't easily impressed. This year, he submitted a blank Hall of Fame ballot. He resists the urge to get carried away by the latest hot name. Yet, Jackson can't stop boasting about Soriano. "I don't think we had a player like Soriano in the whole time I played," he said.

Jackson recalled two players who possess some similar traits, Joe Morgan and Rickey Henderson.

Torre said he sees "parts of a few guys" in Soriano. One of the guys Torre mentioned is Aaron, the all-time home run king.

Torre eventually decided no one has the wrists of Aaron. But the hands, Soriano has those killer hands.