FRANCHISE NOTES

          The Stars received approval from the NHL to wear their
     dark green third jersey throughout the playoffs.  The jersey
     will also be used as the regular road jerseys next season,
     meaning the black jersey will be worn "only six more times." 
     The team will also change its "white home sweaters to
     reflect the third jersey's design" next season (DALLAS
     MORNING NEWS, 3/17)....There are "strong indications" that
     the Browns will open their '99 season in Cleveland's new
     stadium against the Steelers on Sunday night, September 12. 
     The Browns' opening opponent won't be the Ravens, and Ravens
     Owner Art Modell said, "I am somewhat doubtful that I will
     ever set foot in Cleveland again" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL,
     3/17)....Orioles P Juan Guzman, "initially projected" as the
     starter for the team's game in Havana against the Cuban
     national team, "apparently will be the only team member to
     abstain from the trip."  Guzman is a Dominican Republic
     native who lives in a Miami neighborhood with a
     "significant" Cuban population (Baltimore SUN, 3/17).