Gooden Says He’s Ready, But Where Will He Play?

Dwight Gooden says he’s ready. Joe Torre doesn’t seem so sure. And those trade rumors won’t go away.

Gooden, sidelined since undergoing hernia surgery in April, said Tuesday he expects to start Sunday for the New York Yankees against the Florida Marlins.

The right-hander pitched seven innings for the Yankees’ Triple-A Columbus affiliate last weekend, and is anxious to make his return with the big club.

“I’m ready to go,” Gooden said.

Gooden is scheduled to throw for pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre today at Yankee Stadium, and Torre said only then will he decide if Gooden will face the Marlins or be sent back to Columbus for another start.

As for the trade speculation that has Gooden being looked at by the Cleveland Indians and Marlins, Gooden reiterated his desire to remain in New York.

“I’ve heard a lot of talk about that,” Gooden said. “I’d love to stay here in New York. When you play here you become a part of the city.”

Blair joins Coppin State

Coppin State named Paul Blair its baseball coach, marking a return to organized baseball for the eight-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder.

Blair, 53, has been out of organized baseball since 1984 when he was an outfield instructor with the Houston Astros.

Vegas considers spring complex

Las Vegas tourism officials voted to go ahead with a spring training complex - but not until some major league teams commit to preseason play in southern Nevada.

The vote by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority came despite concerns from Las Vegas mayor Jan Jones and some other board members that the proposed $50 million project was too expensive and wouldn’t generate a sufficient return in tourism revenue.

Authority spokesman Rob Powers said no bonds will be sold to finance the project and no ground will be broken until agreements are consummated with major league teams to come to Las Vegas.

Owners to discuss schedule

The format of the 1998 schedule, which must be given to the players’ association by the end of the month, appeared to be the chief topic of discussion for baseball owners’ quarterly meetings this week.

Officials have drafted two schedules for next season. One option has the National League going to a slightly more unbalanced scheduled, with more games against intradivisional rivals. The other retains a balanced schedule for both leagues.

Japanese chief apologizes

A top Japanese baseball official apologized to his U.S. counterparts for the roughing up of an American umpire, who later quit over the incident, officials said early today.

Hiromori Kawashima, president of the Central League, sent a letter of apology to A.L. president Gene Budig and N.L. president Leonard Coleman.

Central League spokesman Masaaki Nagino said Kawashima told the Americans he felt responsibility for the incident, in which umpire Mike DiMuro was shoved by a Japanese player during a game.