Baseball

Jays prod fans to boo Matsui

TORONTO -- Hideki Matsui got a big-league razzing when he arrived in Toronto for his major-league debut.

The Blue Jays took out an advertisement in Sunday newspapers urging fans, in English and Japanese, to come out and boo Matsui.

"I thought it was tasteless, especially in the climate of what's going on in the world today," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "I understand fun and games, but I thought it was just too much."

The ad also showed a Yankees cap covered with bird droppings. General manager J.P. Ricciardi said he talked to Torre about it and tried to smooth over any bad feelings.

The Blue Jays said they were just trying to have fun and reverse an attendance slide that has cut the fan base from more than 4-million in 1993 to just over 1.6-million last year.

"It's done in a lighthearted manner. We don't mean any disrespect to Matsui," said Jim Bloom, the director of consumer marketing. "He's high-profile, one of their high-priced signings. We're trying to live within the constraints of the current baseball economics. Obviously he was the most high-profile signing in the offseason for the Yankees."

Bloom, in his first year with Toronto, said the team has taken precautions to guard against fans booing the U.S. national anthem and God Bless America after that happened at a Montreal Canadiens game this month.

The ad was taped to a door in the Yankees clubhouse, and the players took notice. Matsui only understood it when he saw the Japanese but said he wasn't offended.

He admitted this is not the treatment he was used to during his 10 years in Japan, where fans almost never boo, especially a player as popular as Matsui.

"I don't have anything special to say," he said through an interpreter. "I'm a little happy that the fans are aware of my name."

CONE GETS HIS SHOT: David Cone's comeback is almost complete.

After sitting out the 2002 season, Cone, 40, won a spot in the Mets rotation and will make his first major-league start in 18 months Friday night at Shea Stadium against the Expos.

"I considered myself a long shot coming in," Cone said from Florida. "I don't think I was a lock. I think I changed some minds, the powers that be."

Mets manager Art Howe, general manager Steve Phillips and owner Fred Wilpon all agreed: When Cone was invited to spring training, it seemed unlikely he would make the team.

The Mets just wanted to see if their former ace had anything left. He sure did, surprising almost everybody with steady progress all spring.

In fact, Cone was one of the team's most consistent pitchers, except for a rough outing in the high altitude of Mexico City.

"He did what David Cone usually does; he just kept getting people out," Howe said. "He kind of stuck his foot in the door and he wouldn't take it out."

Even Cone himself had to be convinced to try a comeback. He saw Mets pitchers John Franco and Al Leiter at a charity event in the offseason, and his old friends persuaded him to give it one more shot.

"It was quite surprising. I wasn't looking to pitch again until I went to a bowling tournament," Cone said.

The right-hander went 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in five spring training appearances, including two starts. Opponents batted .176 against him and he struck out 12 in 141/3 innings.

DODGERS COACH HURT: Los Angeles received a jolt on the eve of opening day, learning batting instructor Jack Clark was seriously injured while riding his motorcycle to a workout at Bank One Ballpark.

Clark, who was not wearing a helmet, had deep cuts on his head and broken ribs after being involved in a three-vehicle accident on Interstate 10 heading toward the downtown ballpark. The four-time All-Star had staples inserted to close head wounds before being transferred to intensive care. He was listed in stable condition.

The Dodgers were hopeful Clark would return to the bench soon, but optimism quickly turned to doubt as the extent of his injuries became clearer. Jessica Beck, Clark's longtime girlfriend, said the recovery process "is definitely going to take a while because of everything he's gone through, but the important thing is that he's going to be okay eventually."

ANGELS: Left-hander Jarrod Washburn pitched in a minor-league game in Arizona as he continued to come back from a shoulder injury. He is scheduled to start Saturday at Oakland.

BREWERS: Milwaukee purchased the contracts of catchers Keith Osik and Eddie Perez and outfielder John Vander Wal, adding them to the opening day roster.

D'BACKS: Arizona exercised a one-year contract option on manager Bob Brenly, who led it to the 2001 World Series title in his first season.

PIRATES: Pittsburgh purchased the contracts of left-hander Dennys Reyes and right-hander Julian Tavarez from Triple-A Nashville, adding them to the 25-man roster.

ROCKIES: Colorado purchased the contracts of right-hander Dan Miceli, left-hander Darren Oliver and infielder Ronnie Belliard from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Belliard is expected to be the starting second baseman, and Oliver is expected to start Saturday because of injuries to other pitchers. Miceli will work in the bullpen.

TIGERS: Detroit purchased the contracts of right-hander Jeremy Bonderman, 20 and one of the team's top pitching prospects, from Class A Lakeland and catcher Matt Walbeck from Triple-A Toldeo.

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