SECTION: SPORTS, Pg. 5B

LENGTH: 1296 words

HEADLINE: AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES

BODY:
DUGOUT CHATTER

National League

At Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, the Circle K convenience store chain has a gimmick in which it illuminates its own logo - a red capital K against a white background - above the first deck in right field. But they only have room for 16 Ks. On Tuesday, resourceful fans taped makeshift Ks at the end of the row as Arizona's Randy Johnson closed in on 20.

"They talk about the juiced ball. When Randy and Pedro (Martinez) pitch, it's full of prune juice," said the Diamondbacks' Mark Grace, who also started at first base for Kerry Wood's 20-K day with the Cubs on May 6, 1998.

A 10-toss double play? It happened Tuesday when Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins was caught in a rundown following a strikeout of Scott Rolen in a sixth-inning double play. The scoring was K and caught stealing 2-6-3-4-1-4-3-4-2-6. The Dodgers' 20-1 loss May 5 at Wrigley Field in Chicago was especially tough on rookie left-hander Jose Nunez, a Rule 5 draft pick from the New York Mets' organization. Because the Dodgers had some injuries in the bullpen, Nunez had to stay in and take a beating, giving up nine hits and six runs in 1 2/3 innings. Infielder Chris Donnels relieved him, pitching for the first time since he was in Legion ball, to finish the eighth inning.

Not too many players in the Dodgers clubhouse showed support for Nunez, who last year pitched at Class A Capitol City. "The guy has got a good ceiling, but I've said it before, the big leagues is not a developmental level," pitcher Terry Adams said.

American League

Royals manager Tony Muser felt the wrath of the Kansas City faithful last week after he said his players needed to get tougher after being swept by Cleveland. "Chewing on cookies and drinking milk and praying is not going to get it done," Muser told reporters. "I'd like them to go out and pound tequila rather than have cookies and milk because nobody is going to get us out of this but us."

Among the complaints telephoned to the Royals front office were some from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whose headquarters are across the highway from Kauffman Stadium. Some Kansas City media thought Muser was taking a shot at the deeply religious Mike Sweeney. Muser and Sweeney denied that.

"I probably should have used cod liver oil instead of tequila," Muser said. "If I hurt anybody's feelings I apologize . . . But God will always help those people who are trying desperately to help themselves."

And how were the Minnesota Twins treated at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, a week after Metrodome fans pelted former Twin Chuck Knoblauch with debris? The Bleacher Creatures cheered for Twins right fielder Matt Lawton, including the chant, "We won't kill you, we won't kill you" when he took the field in the first inning.

Lawton responded by blowing kisses. Seems when some of the Bleacher Creatures traveled to Minnesota last week, Lawton chatted with them and gave them a ball. "I took care of them when they came to Minnesota, and they took care of me here," he said.

Kangaroo court is in session this year in Cleveland. Steve Reed and Ellis Burks are the judges. Players are fined $5 for offenses such as not driving in a run from third base with less than two outs. Or giving up a hit on an 0-2 pitch.

Manager Charlie Manuel has been fined. "They got me for mistaking Justin Speier for Steve Reed during a game. It cost me $5."

SIXTY SECONDS WITH...

Rosa Wilson

Staff Writer Joe Capozzi sat down for a one-minute Mother's Day interview with Rosa Wilson, mother of Marlins center fielder Preston Wilson.

JC: Tell me something embarrassing about Preston.

RW: Well, he was in the 10th or the 11th grade and we went to Houston. And they have this roller coaster named Big Tex. Preston didn't want to go on it. I said, "Everybody's riding! You're riding!" We let him walk all the way up there to the car and finally my heart wouldn't let me do it. He could not go. He had tears in his eyes.

JC: The cleanup hitter, the 30-30 man, has a fear of roller coasters?

RW: He doesn't like them anymore. When he was small he loved them. He and I used to ride them all the time. I don't know what happened.

JC: What's the sweetest thing Preston ever did for you for Mother's Day?

RW: He picked me some wild flowers out of the yard and brought them in and said, "Mommy, I love you."

JC: All on his own? How old was he?

RW: Preston was 5 years old. That I will remember until the day I die because it was so sweet. No one told him to do it. He just did it.

JC: Gotta ask: Where were you and Preston when Mookie hit the ball through (Red Sox first baseman Bill) Buckner's legs (in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series)?

RW: We were sitting behind home plate (at Shea Stadium). Preston was standing on the chair because he really wasn't that tall yet and he could barely see. And after he did it, Preston was running up and down the steps.

JC: What were you doing?

RW: Mookie comes up and the only thing I can say is "Don't strike out! Whatever you do, don't strike out." Then when he got the hit, we were so excited that my contact popped out.

JC: Your contact lens popped out?

RW: I was crying. I missed the rest of the play. I saw the ball go through Buckner's legs but we missed the rest of the play because a lot of the wives around me were trying to help me find my contact.

JC: So the Mets are celebrating on the field, and you and the wives are on your knees looking for your lens?

RW: Not just the wives, everybody else around us, too! We never did find it.

THIS WEEK'S TOP FIVE

Now that the XFL has folded, here are five reasons Vince McMahon might consider an Xtra baseball league.

1. Cheerleaders: Hey, Pat Burrell of the Phillies (and formerly of the University of Miami) suggested it first in his infamous Penthouse interview.

2. Celebrity national anthems: Performed by Eminem, Outkast or Marilyn Manson.

3. Nicknames: From the Bash Brothers to Slammin' Sammy to the Big Hurt.

4. On-field cameras: From the Randy Johnson Fastball Cam to the Dodger Water Cooler Cam aimed at Kevin Brown after he is removed from bad outings.

5. Fights: Some players and at least one eX-general manager have done it, so change rules allowing them to pick fights with fans in the stands.

6. A bonus item: Aside from "contraction," does commissioner Bud Selig have any better ideas on improving woeful attendance for small-market teams?

GIVE HIM THE THUMB

Vinny Castilla. The third baseman, in and out of Tampa Bay's lineup since rookie Aubrey Huff was promoted from Class AAA Durham last month, was released after whining last week about manager Hal McRae.

"I'm frustrated right now," Castilla said. "Ten years in the majors - and for not moving a runner over . . . he takes me out of the game. That's ridiculous. I've never seen something like that. I feel like I'm under a microscope for everything I do."

Yo, Vinny: That's what happens to veterans who come off the worst season of their career and respond in the first month of the season with a .215 average, two homers and nine RBI.

THE EDGE

A pair of Florida minor-league aces.

Joe Kennedy: The left-hander in the Rays' minor-league system wasn't too heralded coming into this season, but he's 4-0 with a 0.19 ERA - that's right, 0.19 - and hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 37 innings at Class AA Orlando.

Josh Beckett: The hard-throwing right-hander (3-0) had his streak of scoreless innings snapped at 38 2/3 Thursday when he was touched for five runs against Lakeland.

The Edge: Kennedy probably will get to the majors first, but Beckett already has a seven-figure contract.

- Compiled by Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer/Material from staff and wire services -

NOTES:
Baseball

GRAPHIC: PHOTO (B&W), Photo courtesy of the Florida Marlins
, Marlins center fielder Preston Wilson has always been close to his, mother, Rosa.


LOAD-DATE: May 17, 2001