A-rod marketing value tarnished by off the field reports--Ken Davidoff

Ken says the World Baseball Classic, Inc. won't be breaking down A-rod's door this year if he keeps them hanging. Don't expect another call from Selig begging him to join:

• (Newsday): "...this hasn't received much attention, but apparently he divorced his wife and is involved with Madonna.

• He's less attractive as a marketing tool, therefore.

Moreover, Team USA can employ the very capable duo of the David Wright and Evan Longoria at third base, while Team Dominican Republic has Adrian Beltre and, just as important, high-profile guys like David Ortiz and Albert Pujols."...

• Davidoff thinks Davey Johnson would be a better manager for USA WBC team:

(Newsday): "...there's a push for Davey Johnson, who served as manager Buck Martinez's bench coach last time, to take over the managing responsibilities.

• Johnson, who of course led the Mets to their last World Series victory in 1986, lacks Martinez's media-friendly nature. Yet he's a far more accomplished manager than Martinez."...

Joe Kerrigan is sneaky--look out:

• (Newsday): "The Pirates' hiring of Joe Kerrigan as their pitching coach raised some eyebrows. "Didn't they ask around about this guy?" one industry insider asked. While Kerrigan is regarded as intelligent,

• he also is thought sneaky and selfish."

End of the line for Rich Monteleone:

• (Newsday): "Rich Monteleone, let go by the Yankees as their special pitching instructor, has been informed by the club that he won't get a job at their minor-league complex. Before his elevation to bullpen coach in 2002, he worked with the Yankees' minor-league pitchers."

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