WHAT'S HE SAY WHEN THEY NEED A BREATHER? In Nashville,
Brad Schmitt notes the Predators are using the President
Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair during its in-game
presentation. After a Predators player was called for a
penalty, the Jumbotron showed a picture of President Clinton
with the following voiceover from an impersonator: "Let me
say once and for all I did not have physical contact with
that player." Schmitt: "After a moment of stunned silence,
the arena erupted in laughter. I mean, people just died."
The team ran two other Clinton-inspired clips: one came
after a tripping penalty and said, "Trip? Trip? Did you
say Tripp? Son, you're in trouble" (TENNESSEAN, 3/18).
MLB NOTES: Marlins Owner John Henry joined "a crowd of
about 200 Cuban protesters" outside the Orioles spring
training offices "to lend his opposition to the Orioles'
March 28 game in Havana." Henry: "It's a political issue.
For that reason, I don't think it's a good idea" (Baltimore
SUN, 3/18)....Red Sox CEO John Harrington said that he won't
sell the team for "at least another two years." Harrington:
"I don't have a personal motivation for delaying the sale of
the team, but as we make the case for a new home, I think
stability of ownership is a very important factor" (BOSTON
GLOBE, 3/18). In Boston, Steve Buckley writes that
Harrington "lacks the money to buy the Red Sox" and "seems
also to lack the passion" (BOSTON HERALD, 3/18).
MORE NOTES: Heat Owner Micky Arison "has spoken" with
President & coach Pat Riley about "extending the five-year
coaching portion of his 10-year contract." After next
season, Riley also can acquire a minority interest in the
team (MIAMI HERALD, 3/18)....Cincinnati's new IBL franchise
unveiled its logo and nickname, the Stuff, at a press
conference yesterday (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 3/18).
