Jordan Knows He Who Laughs Last . . .

Brian Jordan remembers the Atlanta Falcons laughing at him when he told them he was interested in playing baseball. Even when he departed for the St. Louis Cardinals, they figured he’d be back.

Jordan has news for the Falcons.

He’s not coming back.

“I’m not saying any prayers for those guys,” Jordan said. “They’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past. You remember Deion [Sanders].”

Jordan, who made the 1992 Pro Bowl team, says he has forgotten all about playing football. In the first year of a three-year, $10-million contract with the Cardinals, he had the finest year of his career, batting .310 with 17 homers and 104 RBIs.

“I’ve always had confidence in my ability,” Jordan said. “I knew if they were to give me a fair shot, a good opportunity, I would prove them right. So far I’ve proven them right.

“This year just proved last year wasn’t a fluke. I definitely feel I’ve arrived now. I still have a lot to learn in this game, but I feel like I’m getting close.”

Now, if Jordan can only learn to relax.

“This is much more laid-back,” Jordan said. “In football, you’re hitting your head against the locker before the game. And if you’re not doing it, you’re watching your teammates do it.

“In baseball, guys just sit back in front of their lockers reading and relaxing. It’s boring.”

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Cardinal pitcher Andy Benes awoke with a stiff back from diving head-first into third base and had a sore hamstring from being hit by a line drive by Marquis Grissom.

“I couldn’t even run today,” he said.

Even so, he was told that he will be the Game 4 starter Sunday.

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The Cardinals shook up their lineup, replacing second baseman Luis Alicea with Mike Gallego, and shortstop Ozzie Smith with Royce Clayton.

Manager Tony La Russa said Alicea had suffered an elbow injury Wednesday, but La Russa actually was angry with Alicea for failing to cover first base on Chipper Jones’ bunt in the eighth inning of Game 1.

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Cardinal third baseman Gary Gaetti, who spent 14 of his 15 years in the American League, said he prefers the National League.

“I’m amazed at how much difference there is between the National League and American League baseball,” Gaetti said. “I honestly think this is a much better way.

“And I used to hate it. I couldn’t stand to watch pitchers trying to hit, or when they would sacrifice with one out. I’ve changed my mind.”

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Braves players were stunned that they failed to sell out Game 1 of the series. It was the first time in franchise history they had not sold out a postseason game.

“I don’t know where everybody was,” Jones said. “The people who weren’t here missed a heck of a game.”

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This is the first time since divisional play began in 1969 that all four managers have won division titles in the other league.

Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox won the American League East title with the Toronto Blue Jays.

La Russa has won the American League West title with the Oakland Athletics.

New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre has won the National League East title with the Braves.

And Baltimore Oriole Manager Davey Johnson has won the National League East title with the New York Mets.