Hope He Doesn’t Party Like It’s 2004

Prince is expected to be the headline performer during halftime of Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4 at Dolphin Stadium in South Florida, according to the folks at Sportsbybrooks.com.

It will be CBS’ first broadcast of the NFL’s championship game since Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” in 2004, when the FCC responded to the singer’s bared breast with $550,000 in fines.

So how deep are the pockets at CBS? After all, the Purple One has been known to appear on stage in little more than a G-string and a guitar.

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Trivia time: Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox was ejected for the eighth time this season and the 124th time in his 24-year managerial career Wednesday, tying him for second on the all-time list with Leo Durocher, who managed four teams, including the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 24 seasons.

Who tops this argumentative list?

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Charles in charge: Charles Barkley recently changed his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat -- “I’m rich like a Republican. But I’m not one,” he told the Birmingham News -- and is considering a run for governor of his home state in 2010.

Speaking before a convention of public school board members Tuesday in Destin, Fla., the basketball Hall of Famer was less than complimentary about Alabama’s past leadership.

“If it wasn’t for Arkansas and Mississippi, we’d be dead last in everything,” Barkley said. “I think we can do better.”

His tentative campaign slogan, according to Pete McEntegart of SI.com: “ ‘Everyone’s chicken in my pot.’ ”

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Steal of a deal: For a mere $10-million “buy-it-now” purchase on eBay, a Mater Dei booster can own a football signed by the Santa Ana high school’s Heisman Trophy-winning alumni: Matt Leinart, the 2004 winner from USC, and John Huarte, who won the award in 1964 when he played quarterback at Notre Dame.

Heck, for a few million more, couldn’t the Arizona Cardinals sign both to long-term contracts?

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Looking back: On this date in 1988, Tommy John, pitching for the Yankees, tied a major league record by committing three errors on one play.

With a Milwaukee Brewer on first base and one out in the first inning at Yankee Stadium, John bobbled a grounder for an error, then threw the ball into right field for another. The relay from the outfield came to him, and he threw the ball past the catcher. Both runners scored, but the Yankees still won, 16-3.

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Add John: When told his misplays had tied a record set by J. Bentley Seymour of the New York Giants in 1898, John, then 46, replied, “J. Bentley Seymour? Yes, I pitched against him in the Eastern League.”

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Trivia answer: John McGraw was ejected 131 times during a 33-year career.

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Add ejections: “When Cox finally breaks the mark,” wrote Dwight Perry in the Seattle Times, “rumor has it, MLB plans to have enough umpires on hand to give him a 21-thumb salute.”

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And finally: “There is nothing but disasters on the news,” Jay Leno said. “The Mideast, power blackouts, the Dodgers.... “