Barring the Unforeseen Often Proves a Problem

For a minute there, Robert Auerbach was working on his own field of dreams.

Auerbach’s reality check came Friday when it was announced that Pete Rose will serve his five-month jail sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Camp in Marion, Ill., rather than at the one in Ashland, Ky.

Auerbach, 38, serving time at the Ashland facility for marijuana cultivation, had told Rob Wells of Associated Press that he hoped Rose would get a bunk in his cellblock, G Unit. The cellblock is filled with fans of the Cincinnati Reds, he said, and besides, G Unit’s weak-hitting softball team could use a player of Rose’s caliber.

At least, Auerbach was able to offer Rose this advice: “Bring a lot of books.”

Add Rose: If it’s any consolation to Auerbach, Rose’s recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery Friday might not have meshed with G Unit’s softball schedule. As for the advice, Rose’s autobiography says that he has only read two books in his life--one a scrapbook of his career.

Trivia time: Who are the only active major league players with retired uniform numbers?

Sign here: When Mark Calcavecchia learned that 15 former champions were on hand for this week’s pre-tournament dinner at the British Open, he took a program and pen and walked around the banquet room collecting autographs.

But when he returned to his table, he was dismayed to find he had the signatures of only 14 former winners.

Greg Norman, one of the 14, had to remind Calcavecchia that he was No. 15.

He might need relief: Baltimore Oriole pitcher Ben McDonald, the No. 1 choice in last year’s free-agent draft, will get his first major league start tonight against the Chicago White Sox.

It’s an occasion to savor in more ways than one. Friday night, McDonald revived a ritual he followed the night before each of his starts at Louisiana State: Eating a can of mustard sardines.

Media darling: England’s Nick Faldo, tied for the British Open lead, played the first 36 holes with Scott Hoch.

Earlier in the week, Hoch had told several newspapers that he was unhappy about the pairing. On Thursday, the Sun, England’s largest newspaper, ran a headline in two-inch type: “We All Hate Nasty Nick.”

Faldo, who has a history of standoffishness, chatted with Hoch before Thursday’s round. “I told him, ‘Don’t worry, I understand,’ ” Faldo said. “I know what’s going on this week.”

Outrageous fortune: Baltimore Sun baseball reporter Peter Schmuck, on baseball’s huge salaries: “When will this madness finally end? Hopefully, right after the first $1 million-a-year Baltimore Sun baseball writer.”

The human cyclone: Here’s a highlight from the college baseball season you might have missed: In a game between Wisconsin and Illinois, Joel Schmitz of Wisconsin was on first base when Tom O’Neill hit a fly ball to deep center field. Kevin O’Connor made a diving catch, but his glove, with the ball stuck in it, got caught in the fence. Schmitz tagged up at first and came around to score before O’Connor could free his glove.

Trivia answer: Harold Baines of the Texas Rangers (No. 3 by the Chicago White Sox) and Eddie Murray of the Dodgers (No. 33 by the Baltimore Orioles).

Quotebook: Assistant coach Tom Moore of the Minnesota Vikings, on the Olympic Festival: “Shoot, in some of those sports I don’t know if the high score or the low score wins.”