Waiting around for a bite of the Apple

NEW YORK - A few slices from the Apple . . .

Item No. 1:

With Alfonso Soriano on the 15-day disabled list, one major league official indicated the Cubs would likely rekindle their interest in Coco Crisp. One problem: Crisp, who missed part of spring training with a sore groin, has a sore hamstring.

Although Crisp's injury doesn't appear serious, it's tough for a team to make a deal for a guy who has had leg issues since before the season.

The Cubs have had interest in the Red Sox center fielder since spring training. They backed off because they picked up Toronto castoff Reed Johnson. With Felix Pie struggling in center, Crisp would fit nicely in the Cubs' outfield. The Sox have not been eager to deal Crisp (they wanted no part of the Cubs' Jason Marquis or young outfielder Sam Fuld in March), who is hitting .325 in 13 games. But at some point, Jacoby Ellsbury will be the long-term center fielder.

Cubs officials have said the Sox' asking price is high, and although it's not known what Boston wants, a top prospect would be on the list.

Item No. 2:

When David Wells first came to the Yankees, he asked for No. 3 (ah, Babe Ruth). Kidding? Longtime Yankees scribes think half-kidding. When LaTroy Hawkins joined the Yankees, he had no idea what he was getting into when he asked for and received No. 21. That's the number the popular Paul O'Neill wore from 1993-2001. O'Neill won four rings with the Yankees.

Hawkins has been derided, fans yelling "Paul O'Neill!" chants while he has been pitching. Hawkins decided to relinquish the number and opted for No. 22. That's Roger Clemens's old number, but it doesn't appear anyone will complain about that.

Hawkins had no comment about the number switch, but O'Neill told the New York Times, "I've always been blown away by the way the fans have treated me there. I have absolutely nothing against LaTroy Hawkins, but it's unbelievable what the fans have done. It makes you feel good as a player, obviously, because that tells you they appreciate what we did as a team."

Uniform numbers are important in New York. Seventeen are retired (No. 8 twice, for Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey). Hawkins wanted to wear the number to honor his longtime idol, Roberto Clemente. When Jason Giambi came to the Yankees, he knew he couldn't have No. 7, which belonged to Mickey Mantle. Giambi settled on 25.

Red Sox players have been respectful of numbers. Although No. 14 is not retired, players shy away from it out of respect for Jim Rice. Same with No. 21 (Clemens).

Item 3:

Took part in my first Steinbrenner Watch before the game.

The New York tabloids always have a reporter stationed outside Yankee Stadium. In the past, it was to wait for owner George M. Steinbrenner to see if he had juicy tidbits to tell the media. Now it's in anticipation of a Hank Steinbrennner sighting because Hank, like his dad, has a lot to say. The stakeout started at 3:30 p.m., and by game time, this reporter gave up, but reporters from the New York Post and New York Daily News were still waiting.

How long do you wait? For a New York tabloid, as long as it takes. The Steinbrenner Watch is interesting because of what you observe while you're waiting. There was "Arli$$" star Robert Wuhl hanging around the entrance to Yankee Stadium - it almost looked like an episode. Saw Bartolo Colon leave before the game with a friend. After his workout, Curt Schilling was seen in the parking lot area looking for a car - or a ride.

The only Steinbrenner seen was Jessica, George's daughter, who came into the ballpark with a driver.

By the end of the third inning, both tabloids had given up, resigned to the fact Hank was not going to be quoted about the Sox-Yankees series, the buried David Ortiz jersey at new Yankee Stadium, or the Hawkins number controversy.

Item 4:

David Murphy and Kason Gabbard, a couple of former Red Sox who went to Texas in the Eric Gagné deal July 31, will receive their World Series rings when the Rangers play at Fenway Park tomorrow. Gabbard will pitch Monday's Patriots Day game, and Murphy has been the team's starting left fielder. Both players have been looking forward to showing off their rings to their teammates. It might be a while before the Rangers come close to getting one on their own.

Did the Sox pay too high a price for Gagné? In hindsight, of course. But neither Gabbard nor Murphy would have cracked the Sox' starting lineup. At the time, general manager Theo Epstein felt he needed another veteran arm to help Hideki Okajima, but Gagné was a disaster. And that disastrous performance earned him a one-year, $10 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.