The Daily Herald from Chicago, Illinois • Page 199

Dailv Heiald No. 2 Miami survives scan 7 Ted Cox i column sclwol spurts 15-16 dailyherald.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003 Barry Rozner Why not Gracefar White Sox? This much is certain: Mark Grace is going to be a major-league manager, and he's going to be a good one. He knows the X's and O's as well as any current big-league skipper. He always has been the smartest player on the field, so that's not an issue, and his chance probably will come within the next 12 to 15 months. So why not right now, why not right here, and why not with the White Sox? Seriously, who better to light a fire under a lethargic and boring team lacking personality and ticket-selling ability? He also will work cheap to start, which fits into the White Sox 1 plan, and he will steal thunder and headlines from the Cubs even during a week like this one which is often the White Sox' biggest concern.

It makes perfect sense. From what we hear, a conversation between the Sox and Grace already may have taken place, or might shortly, for whatever that's worth. It would be a gusty move to hire Grace, but also a smart one. He always has been good with young players, and most veterans like him and can relate to him. (On the other hand, those who have no idea how to play the game, and those who don't respect the game or the uniform, have never cared for Grace) He's old school.

He's not afraid to call a player out in front of his teammates but will also do it in private if that's what the situation calls for. He's obviously great with the media, and he's even better with the fans. Grace is going to be a major-' league manager, most likely for the Diamondbacks sometime next season or the year after. "I want to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, whether it's in 20 years, 10 years or however long it is," the 39-year-old Grace said a couple of days ago. 'And if it's not (Arizona), somewhere in the bigs." His choice for 2004 is between the Arizona broadcast booth and a minor-league managing job.

From either location, his move to the dugout will be a breeze. The Sox ought to give him another choice. We can see the headlines already. Maddux's future Last winter, Greg Maddux said he wouldn't rule out returning to the Cubs. Now, he's a free See ROZNER on PAGE 3 Sports SECriON Growing pains Problems for Illinois go deeper than inexperience of freshmen Page 7 Important Jeij Brian Sutler again stresses need for Blackhawks' backup goalie to win games Page 3 NLJS Game 3: Cubs vs.

Braves, 7:06 p.m., Channel 9, ESPN. Series tied at 1-1 ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS The Braves' Greg Maddux and the Cubs' Mark Prior will have the attention of the baseball world in tonight's Game 3 matchup at Wrigley Field. Prime special How he did Record 3-1 Innings 34.0 Strikeouts 15 ERA 3.18 Team he faced SepU.atMets 3-2 loss (no decision) Sept 6, Pirates 9-2 win Sept 11, Phillies 8-3 loss Sept 16, at Expos 5-4 loss (no decision) Sept 21, Marlins 8-0 win Sept 28, at Phillies 5-2 win Prior, Maddux go head to head in pivotal Game 3 BY SCOT GREGOR Daily Herald Sports Writer When told he'd been described as a "veteran lion" by Cubs manager Dusty Baker Thursday, Braves starting pitcher Greg Maddux hardly took offense. "It's better than being just old, I guess," said the 37-year-old Maddux. At Wrigley Field tonight, the veteran Maddux opposes Mark Prior, the Cubs', 23-year-old prodigy, in Game 3 of the National League division series.

Not only is there a potential pitching matchup for the ages in the offing, control of the series is at stake. The Cubs and the Braves split the first two games at Turner Field. "I think one of the reasons we're in prime time (tonight) is because of this matchup," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. When the lights go on at 7:05 p.m., a national TV audience can compare and contrast the abilities of Maddux and Prior. The former is a certain Hall of Famer who started his prolific career with the Cubs in 1986.

This year, Maddux (1611, 3.96 EM) became the first pitcher in major-league history to win 15 or more games for 16 straight seasons. The latter appears destined for similar stardom after going 18-6 (2.43 ERA) in his first full season in the majors. Since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 4, Prioris 10-1 with a 1.52 ERA. "You have the new young lion on our side and you have the Veteran of many wars' lion on that side," Baker said.

"It's going to be a tremendous ballgame. You have power vs. finesse and baseball intellect in Maddux, See STARTERS on PAGE 3 PiiOr (fast 6) How he did Record 5-1 Innings 43.2 Strikeouts 60 ERA 2.27 Team he faced Sept 1, Cardinals 7-0 win Sept 6, at Brewers 8-4 win Sept 11, at Expos 3-2 loss 3-2 win Sept 21, at Pirates 4-1 win Sept 27, Pirates 4-2 win "I think one of the reasons we're in prime time is because of this matchup." Bobby Cox, Braves manager 'You have the new young lion on our side and you have the Veteran of many wars' lion on that side." Dusty Baker, Cubs manager Always on the bright side Baker likes position Cubs are in Jieading into tonights Game3 BY BRUCE MILES Daily Herald Writer Optimism and pessimism are the yin and the yang, the push and the pull, the angel and the demon of every Cubs fan's existence. It can be no other way when a fabled franchise goes 95 years without winning a World Series and 58 without playing in one. So it is now, with the Cubs ready to take on the Atlanta the National How can League division a fan not love series at Wrigley tonight's Game eld.

3 matchup? On one hand, Page 5. the Cubs lost a tough 5-3 Numbers decision Wednesday 9 ame night in Game 2 Brian Doyle after failing to had a Mark put the Braves DeRosa away in the first moment 25 inning. Instead years ago for of coming the Yankees, home up two Page 5. games to none, the Cubs and AL playoffs the Braves are evejtl Athletics take On the other 2-0 series lead; hand, the Cubs Yan kees: i en are coming fries with home with Twins.Pages. a chance to clinch the series on their own turf.

They've also got ace pitcher Mark Prior on the mound and Mr. Optimism himself, manager Dusty Baker, on the top step of the dugout. You know how he sees the glass. "It's better than half full," Baker said Thursday while his team was working out at Wrigley Field. "We're back home.

We had a tough loss, but they had a tough loss the night before. We feel confident. We feel comfortable. We know it's going to be a dogfight. "Our guys feel the same way.

They know how to win and fight. It's going to be a very, very exciting rest of the series." Baker's boys didn't appear down as they took part in batting and fielding practice on a chilly October day. Right fielder Sammy Sosa wore a stocking See CUBS on PAGE 5 Pippen returns with a challenge for Rose BY MIKE MCGRAW Daily Herald Sfxirts He has been away from Chicago for five years, but tie Pippen hasn't changed in one regard: If he talks long enough, he has the tendency to say something controversial. ow. this could turn out to be no big deal.

But when Pippen was asked during Bulls media night Thursday about playing with Jalen Rose, he started with a compliment and then tacked on a challenge. "Jalen's a player that I've admired a lot," Pippen said. "I want lalen to be a player that wants to play to be an all-star this year. "I haven't elaborated that to him, but I feel like he has to want it a little bit more. For him to want it a little bit more is just going to help this team." Again, that comment could be a harmless reminder than when a team wins 30 games and the leading scorer shoots 40.6 percent from the field, there is room for improvement.

But anyone who has followed Pippen's NBA career closely can't help but have flashbacks to the nasty verbal sniping he had with Charles Barkley after Pippen's one and only season in Houston. Pippen essentially claimed that Barkley never won a championship because he didn't work hard enough. When Pippen's comment was first relayed to Rose, lie refused MARK WF.I.SH DAILY IIKRAI I) Scottie Pippen, 33, poses with Bulls teammates Eddy Curry, from left, Tyson Chandler and Jalen Rose at the team's media night. to touch it. A few minutes later, though, Rose offered a response.

"He's got to crack the whip in front of you guys letting me know he's here," Rose said casually. "But I know he's here, so it's cool. "Now, is that a fair assessment? How can it be? We've never played together, so he doesn't know what I do. But it comes with the territory. At the See BULLS on PAGE 13 Tillman trying to treat Rice like any other foe BY BOB LEGERK I Icily I-frrald When Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Rice was an NFL rookie in 1985, Bears corner- back Charles Tillman was a kindergartner at Horace Mann Elementary on the South Side.

That thought might cross Tillman's mind Sunday during his first NFL start when he's covering Rice but hopefully, he won't dwell on it. "I know he's a future Hall of Famer, but just because he's a future Hall of Famer, doesn't mean you should let him catch the ball," Tillman said. "I remember when I was in third grade, he was rny favorite player. 1 have his football cards. But I have a job just like he has a job, and we're just going to be out there battling for it." Rice has been winning battles with corner- backs for 19 years now, and lie has caught more passes (1,475) for more yards (21,859) and more See BEARS on PAGE 6 Tough task Rookie cornerback Charles Tillman's first assignment as a Bears starter will be to cover Oakland's Jerry Rice, above..