Caught on the Fly

Sporting News, The, Feb 21, 2000

Hey, didn't you used to fill the Bill as a Subpar Bowl starter?

* From Fly's short-term pain/long-term file: First he euthanizes a deal to New York, and now Ken Griffey Jr.'s wearin' wishbone `C,' which increases height-o-N.L. hurdles for the Mets. On the bright side, not havin' to pay KG2 frees coin for a ssserious sssprint at A-Rod (course the M's're drinkin' from that glass haft-full, too).

* Now, the Spies say, what about clubhouse ripples caused by drip, drip, drip of "Who's the next skip?" Junior hopes to play for Senior, who pouted last year about not bein' in inner circle of Trader Jack, who's well-liked by most Reds.

* Sure, Wannie's whispered that he doesn't wanna be known as The Coach Who Drove Marino from the NFL, but Fly hears there were not-so-subtle pushes toward that contract-void signing: 1. a new O to learn; 2. complete-n-total commitment to the offseason program, and 3. a no-dissension pledge if he rides pine in '00.

* Fly's used to ignorin' high-pitched whine from players flyin' commercial, but that Blackhawks dressing-room rumble-turned-roar is legit if/when Lorne Molleken had the boys doin' double sessions comin' outta the All-Star break.

* Fly hears #1 on A.D.s' "Need a Basketball Coach" speed dial: Tulsa's Bill Self. (But only because Tommy Amaker's wait-wait-waitin' for roach K's chair.)

* The Spies say the Great One Groundswell's growin' as the NH-hell tries to escape big-league purgatory. Gretz remains equal parts league spokesman, ambassador and heart-n-soul man. Guy'd like to fade from sportlight, but since this here garage league needed standin' All-Star Game arena vidscreen order of "No Bettman shots" for fear-o-boos, No. 99 may have to polish the "if nominated, I will not run/if elected, I will not serve" speech.

* You-n-Fly know by now that Keith Van Horn's a flawed star, but the Spies say he's on file trading block for two reasons, and neither falls under "salary dump." 1. he-n-Stephon Marbury're a chemistry disaster, and 2. current management structure hasn't a due on creating winnin' attitude. Says one vet Net: "This isn't a professional basketball operation."

* Finally, the Spies say that when JuanGone (finally) blew into Detroit last week he went apartment (not house) shopping, hint numero uno he won't be inkin' L.T. pact until he tests the water (read: wind-n-fences) at the new yard. On the bright side: That was Cecil Fielder tellin' him over breakfast just how groovy Motown is.

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