JUST WRITING MY NAME AND GRAFFITI ON THE WALL

Sterling Hitchcock, who is being showcased by Yankees this spring, pitched against the Phillies yesterday for what he said was more scouts and writers than fans.

"I think there's less writing on the wall in Harlem right now than the chance of me getting to pitch in New York. That's the main thing: it's been too long since I've been out there competing to not want to go back and pitch every fifth day."

It isn't a matter of if Hitchcock will be traded, but when.

Hitchcock's agent, Tommy Tanzer, is confident the Yankees will make another good deal.

"If he does half as good a job trading Sterling as he did trading Rondell White, it's pretty special," Tanzer said, referring to General Manager Brian Cashman. "He has several choices. The Rondell trade tells me he's either going to get value or he's not going to do it."

Meanwhile, after another strong outing last night, the writing on the wall says that David Cone is the front runner for the number 5 spot in the Mets starting rotation.

"With each time out I legitimize this a little more," Cone said. "I think the most encouraging part about it is even in my last outing in Mexico when I gave it up, I still felt like I made progress and strides in arm strength. Each start I've gotten a little stronger. I probably had my best velocity of the spring tonight."

Speaking of writing on the (bathroom) wall, former Met Rey Ordonez had a little sumthin, sumthin to say about Robbie Alomar as the Mets met the Devil Rays yesterday. It's nothing much to speak of, just Rey Rey sounding off, Robbie acting like the diplomat, and the two squarshin any bad blood. Just a day in the life, right?