Cheap Seats

He’ll do anything for Mo’ money

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn hasn’t been able to swing at any pitches during spring training. So he made a couple of pitches Monday to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

During a guest appearance, Vaughn mentioned his work for inner-city children, then explained how he wouldn’t mind some help himself. “You all know I’ve been out of work,” Vaughan told them, “so if there’s any jobs in the building, I’ll do anything.”

Hand that cleanup hitter a broom.

With Jud available, who needs Dicky V?

ESPN talking heads Mike Tirico and Digger Phelps were no match for Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote on Monday’s NCAA Tournament special. Still, Mike and Digger tried to keep pace with the former Montana coach, who will retire to Spokane after this season.

Tirico innocently asked Jud if he plans to join the broadcast booth. Heathcote couldn’t resist. “I know Digger needs replacing,” the coach shot back, “but I’m not sure I’m the guy to do it.”

And coach, in light of the pairings, who’s your pick this season? “I’m picking Gonzaga to go all the way,” Heathcote answered, rambling on until Tirico intervened, sensing Jud had taken over.

As Michigan State made the rounds this season, colleagues showered Heathcote with gifts. Seated in a custom-made green leather recliner, courtesy of Indiana, he’ll be able to watch the Spartans on the 35-inch big screen chipped in by Michigan.

After the game, Jud can hit the links with one of several new sets of golf clubs. “I’ve got a different set for every day of the week,” Heathcote said. “I saw this list of all the gifts I received, and I said to myself, ‘My God, what happens if the IRS finds out?”’

Just call this truck ‘Holy Roller’

As pastor at St. John’s Catholic Church in Princeton, Wis., Dale Grubba had a problem - raising $60,000 to replace a rusted-out furnace. As a regular on the NASCAR scene, Grubba had a solution when his racing buddies needed a sponsor for their Chevy “supertruck” in NASCAR’s new racing series, the pastor offered his services.

“I said, ‘Grubba, you got a truck,”’ said Bill Brodrick, spokesman for Performance Race Cars USA, owner of the truck that, come Sunday’s Subway 100, will be emblazoned with the St. John’s logo, plus decals advertising the furnace fund and Tuesday night bingo. The advertising will cost St. John’s just $1 - well under the usual $15,000 fee.

“There are millions of race fans,” Brodrick said. And if the truck does well, the church’s name could remain for future races. As Brodrick figured, “If you get the Man on your side, you are going to go with it.”

The last word …

“He’s a lump of power.”

- Sadaharu Oh, new Fukuoka Daiei Hawks manager, on recently signed Kevin Mitchell