NEW YORK KID MAKES GOOD

Exactly one year ago, Major League Baseball hired Omar Minaya as the general manager of the Expos. Murray Chass has a wonderful article on Minaya---the first Latin American GM--in today's New York Times.

If I could write a behind-the-scenes book of any team in the big leagues it would definitely be on the Expos. Who could resist MLB's version of "Slap Shot?" Minaya, an ambitious yet unpretentious native New Yorker, would make for a fine protagonist.

Don't miss Chass' story.

METS RING BELL

The Metsies signed 17-year vet, Jay Bell to a minor league contract yesterday.

Bell will presumably spell Ty Wiggie at third, and perhaps spot start for Robbie at second.

Cousin Gabe summed it up well this morning:

Jay Bell: another studious-looking, boring white guy. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. Now we can sacrifice bunt the Braves to death.