WILLIE MCCOVEY AND DUKE SNIDER STRIKE OUT WITH UNCLE SAM

     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).