The Free Agent Fan Picks New Team Today

After 36 years of unblinking loyalty to the San Francisco Giants, the passionate prophet in the bleachers is switching teams.

The accidental crusade of Mike Volpe, the Free Agent Fan who “divorced” the Giants Nov. 13 after they traded Matt Williams to Cleveland, has turned into the Little-Guy-Strikes-Back feel-good story of 1997.

Volpe has become a symbol for the typical sports fan who is disenchanted with millionaire ballplayers who don’t have time to sign autographs; who bemoans sports sections that read more like police blotters and stock pages, and who is sickened by players, owners and agents obsessing over the almighty buck.

Volpe, from New York City, is scheduled to “sign” with a new team this morning on NBC’s “Today” show.

McGwire faces back treatment

Mark McGwire, still bothered by pain in his lower back, left the Athletics’ spring training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., Wednesday and flew back to Oakland to receive an anti-inflammatory injection.

A’s officials were hopeful McGwire, whose 52 homers led the major leagues last season, would be able to rejoin the team this weekend. But the persistent nature of the injury raises questions about his status for next Wednesday night’s opener against Cleveland.

HoJo calls it quits

Howard Johnson’s comeback attempt with the New York Mets came to an end when the veteran infielder announced his retirement.

Johnson, 36, met with general manager Joe McIlvaine and manager Bobby Valentine, and the team made it clear Johnson wouldn’t make it as a player.

Johnson, who played all or part of 14 seasons in the big-leagues, finished with a .249 average, 248 home runs and 231 stolen bases. In his best season, he batted .289 for the Mets in 1989 with 36 home runs, 101 RBIs and 41 steals.

Larkin wants to play

All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin of the Reds says he expects to play in the season opener Tuesday at Cincinnati, despite an inflamed Achilles tendon that has sidelined him for two weeks.

“It is important for me to be there from the beginning,” Larkin said.

Larkin has been sidelined since taking himself out of a game March 11 at Dunedin, Fla.

Angels release ex-phenom

The Anaheim Angels released right-handed pitcher Todd Van Poppel, once a heralded prospect.

Van Poppel, who was claimed off waivers by the Angels in December, was 0-0 with a 15.00 earned run average in eight appearances this spring and surrendered 15 earned runs in nine innings of work.

Van Poppel, 25, was drafted 14th overall by Oakland in 1990 out of high school. He has a career record of 20-33 with a 6.22 ERA.