In Chicago, former White Sox OF Albert Belle, who
recently signed with the Orioles, writes an open letter in
the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES thanking White Sox Owner Jerry
Reinsdorf, the team and the fans for "all the support you
gave me during my stay." Belle: "I have nothing but the
highest regard for the White Sox organization. Everyone
there, including the owner, front office, manager and my
teammates, was great and treated me with the utmost
respect." Belle also said that "most of the Chicago media
were good to me," and that he wishes he "could take them
with me to Baltimore." On why he is leaving Chicago, Belle
writes that money "is not the only consideration," and that
"it meant a lot to me that the Orioles moved quickly to
secure my services" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/15)....In K.C.,
IHL Blades Owner Dan DeVos said he might sell the club
because "he wants what's best for his team." DeVos didn't
put a price on the Blades, but said, "If there's an
interest, I'm willing to listen." Sources close to the
situation said they think $5M "would be enough to buy the
Blades" (K.C. STAR, 12/14)....In Ft. Worth, T.R. Sullivan
writes that the MLB Rangers "are preparing to acquire"
Heisman Trophy winner and minor-league OF Ricky Williams
from the Expos. The Expos selected Williams from the
Phillies' organization in the Rule V draft yesterday "with
the intention of trading him to the Rangers, most likely for
cash considerations" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/15).
