MLB NEWS & NOTES: WILD CARD COULD BE OUT UNDER REALIGNMENT

          MLB "will eliminate wild-card teams for the playoffs if
     the leading realignment plan is approved," according to Hal
     Bodley of USA TODAY.  The NL would have four four-team
     divisions, putting its four champions in the playoffs.  The
     AL format "is being debated, but the likely structure is two
     seven-team divisions" with the two division winners and two
     runners-up making the playoffs (USA TODAY, 9/26).
          WHAT ABOUT BOB? PART II: In THE SPORTING NEWS, Bob
     Costas writes his second installment on MLB, offering
     thoughts on realignment, interleague play, the DH and the
     future of MLB.  Costas: "Baseball's revenues and fan base
     are massive.  That is not to say each could not be improved. 
     It is to say they are more than sufficient for the game to
     survive if its salary structure and revenue distribution
     made any sense" (THE SPORTING NEWS, 9/29 issue).