Going, going, gone

Sporting News, The, August 23, 1999

Caught on the FLY

Hey, didn't you used to be a first-round draft pick?

* Wrigley Field exit line forms to the rear of the N.L. Central standings: Lance Johnson ... check; Gaetti ... check; Santiago, Blauser and Trachsel ... check, check, check. Yeah, yeah, Mark Grace'll be back (sure, good news for you, Fuzzy-Cubbie fans, but what about for him?). Question is, will Mickey Morandini lose out because of cost vs. return when compared to Chad Meyers? Answers the Mick: "The handwriting is pretty much on the wall."

* Speaking of blowing outta Chitown, buzz is Jim Wrigleyman's good as gassed. Hmmm, he and Deetroit G.M. Randy Smith go waaay back. Buzz is, though, if/when Larry Parrish goes, a "name" skip'll be the Tiger target Keep these names handy: Baylor, Garner and Piniella.

* The Spies say the Cavs face havin' to put a cork in vintage Shawn Kemp whine: Too many young players and a rook coach top his list-o-grievances.

* Buzz outta Latrobe is that this here team won't roll-n-rock 'til Eaglets receivers (their word, not Fly's) use a little Stick-urn. Shrill-a-minute: "It's the two-a-days ... it's the heat ... it's Donnie McNabb throwin' soooo hard" (course, relative to Doug Pederson, it doesn't take much giddyup to look like Elway). The early Reid is that this is only continuation of minicamp concern: These guys got some ssserious cinder-block paws.

* Fresh from the Rumorama ("Two mongers, not waiting"): MLB's recalled tentative 2000 schedules, pending the 'Spos fate (fait?). The plan: To attack realignment (again). Prime 'vine: The D-Rays and D-backs'll flop leagues, the N.L. goin' to a 4-by-4 division/team setup (the New South: Atlanta, Tampa, Florida and Charlotte) and the A.L. a 3-by-5 with 'Zona in the West.

* Fly hears Andre Rison's runnin' down-n-out over havin' to share KChiefs receiving spotlight with Derrick Alexander and Tony Gonzalez. "I don't care if he's OK with it," Coach Gunther says.

* Fly's dream deal: Raul Mondesi for Frank Thomas, straight up (and uncut).

* From the Flynancial pages: If this franchise garage sale is an either/or proposition, the Spies say, then the Mouse'd do better to auction the Ducks. The Halos're buy high-sell low.

* Fly's Top 5 or "Here's what's keepin' Brian Cashman up at night ... other than the Bossphone rrringin' off the hook": 1. middle relief; 2. the rotation; 3. lack-o-situational hitting; 4. the Darryl Domino effect (who loses ABs?); 5. infield dEfEnsE.

* Finally, draft-day giggle turned training-camp guffaw is 30 teams laughin' at the Vikes (read: Denny Green's) over reach for Dimitrius Underwood, who, even a little homework would a showed, touched off Spartan celebration when said he was leavin' Mich-State.

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