Notes

Baseball wants to honor Sammy Sosa by having him throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday night’s World Series opener.

George Steinbrenner has a different idea.

The Yankee owner is trying to push aside Sosa and have Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio throw out the first pitch, several baseball officials said Thursday on the condition they not be identified.

The staff of the commissioner’s office also has lined up Tony Bennett to sing the national anthem before the opener.

Not if Steinbrenner has his way.

The Yankee owner is insisting on former Metropolitan Opera baritone Robert Merrill, who frequently sings before regular-season home games.

Sosa, who hit 66 homers, has a big Dominican following in New York. Mark McGwire, who set a home run record with 70, is to throw out a first pitch before one of the games in San Diego next week.