Hall of Famers Willie McCovey and Duke Snider yesterday
pleaded guilty to Federal tax fraud charges for not reporting
income from signing autographs and participating in sports
memorabilia shows.  Snider: "I was aware of the crime I was
involved in and I made the wrong choice.  I hope the effects of
it won't hurt baseball that badly" (Joe Sexton, N.Y. TIMES,
7/21).  William Murphy reports that Snider faces six months in
prison and McCovey up to seven months when they are sentenced at
a later date (NEWSDAY, 7/21).  Bill Jauss notes in the CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, "The sports memorabilia industry has mushroomed in the
last 15 years, and experts estimate that mass-autographed
merchandise now is a $500 million business" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE,
7/21).
     SAD:  Harvey Araton writes,  "In the summer of its
discontent, even this once-proud game's greatest asset, the
business of nostalgia, has begun to sour" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/21).
Header over Mike Lupica column:  "Now the Duke is Truly a Bum"
(NEWSDAY, 7/21).