STRAWBERRY/GOLDSCHMIDT PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY

     Darryl Strawberry and his agent, Eric Goldschmidt, pleaded
not guilty to charges of conspiracy and federal tax evasion
yesterday.  Strawberry arrived at the courthouse "via limousine
with a bodyguard and left in the same manner."  His case is
schedule to be heard May 5 (Jennifer Frey, N.Y. TIMES, 12/15).
NBC's Pete Williams reported that NBC has learned that "nine
other current and former major league players are also under
investigation."  Williams also cited sources close to the
investigation who say that "federal agents gathered evidence at a
baseball show about two years ago, by secretly tape recording
players who asked to be payed in cash with no records to the IRS"
("Nightly News," NBC, 12/14).  Strawberry told reporters that the
"real criminal here" is Meade Chasky, Strawberry's former card
show agent who was granted immunity in exchange for testimony
(Bill Madden, N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/15).