BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS : Is Jackson Thinking About Retiring?

Bo Jackson, who was benched Tuesday night after failing miserably in his three starts as the White Sox designated hitter, is contemplating retirement, according to sources close to Jackson.

Jackson’s decreased role this season, coupled with his failures in the postseason, leaves him wondering whether he wants to return.

“He’s just not the same player,” said one major league scout, who has extensively watched Jackson this season. “He’s not a good hitter anymore. Sure, he’ll get his hits when he’s ahead in the count, 2 and 0, or 3 and 1, but that’s about it.

“He’s got real trouble with breaking pitches, and can’t handle the inside fastball. When he turns on a ball now, it’s by accident.

“I just can’t see him coming back. I mean, what more does he have to prove? He can’t play football anymore, he’ll never be an All-Star again, and he’s got more than enough money to live comfortably the rest of his life.”

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Kansas City Royal scout Ken Gonzales, the man who originally signed Jackson out of Auburn, says he can’t help but wonder how Jackson’s baseball career would have been different if he had never played football and focused solely on baseball.

“I wonder what if would have been like had he not been an Alabama boy,” Gonzales said. “When an Alabama kid is born, he wants to play football for Alabama or Auburn, and that just never goes away.

“Can you imagine what Bo could have done in this game had he signed right out of high school and never played baseball? My God, we go crazy talking about guys who hit 40 and 50 home runs now.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Bo would have broken (Roger Maris’) record, and maybe every record there ever was.”

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The White Sox might completely overhaul their designated hitter position if Jackson does not return. They have an option on Jackson for $1.7 million next season, or can buy out his contract for $150,000. They already have decided to release George Bell, relieving themselves of his $3.3-million contract.

The White Sox, according to a high-ranking official, also will attempt to trade probable Cy Young winner Jack McDowell.

If the White Sox are successful in trading McDowell, the source said, they might pursue free agent first basemen Will Clark or Rafael Palmeiro, and move first baseman Frank Thomas to designated hitter.

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White Sox left fielder Tim Raines, eligible for free agency, refuses to use this postseason as his public forum, but his statistics are making a whole lot of commotion.

Raines may have no idea whether he will be invited back next season, but after what he already has accomplished this postseason, there surely will be plenty of takers.

“I felt I had to prove something to myself and to the organization,” Raines said, “that I can still play the game. I think I’ve done that.

“I’ve shown a lot of people that I’m not washed up.”

Raines, who batted .306 this season, scoring 75 runs and driving in 54, has been tearing up the American League playoffs. His 12 hits gave him a share of a league playoff record (along with Toronto’s Devon White), and are the most by a White Sox player during postseason since Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1919.

If Raines doesn’t re-sign with the White Sox, he said he would be very much interested if the Angels come calling, being reunited with Buck Rodgers, his former manager in Montreal.

“If they don’t want me,” Raines said, “I’ll be listening to everybody. I still feel I have a lot more baseball in this old body. If the White Sox don’t want me, I’m sure there are other teams that will.”