ORIOLES' MALONE SAYS TEAM MAY TAKE ACTION AGAINST HIRSCHBECK

     Orioles Assistant GM Kevin Malone said the club is preparing
a case that "ultimately will prove" AL umpire John Hirschbeck
provoked Roberto Alomar into spitting on him, according to Marty
York of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  Malone added that Orioles
Owner Peter Angelos is "looking into the matter" for Alomar and
is "preparing to eventually tell the world what really was said
and what really happened."   Malone: "The thing is, people don't
know the facts.  They don't know what really happened in Toronto
that night, and, sooner or later, the truth will come out."  More
Malone:  "I'm not saying Robbie will be completely vindicated,
because spitting in someone's face is pretty well indefensible.
But we intend to put this whole matter in a different light."
Reports have Hirschbeck questioning Alomar's sexual preference or
race (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/18).