Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 162

A peek at the Phillies, who will begin training in Clearwater today Long, short of ahead SPRING TRAININGPHILLIES AT KEY DATES TODAY Phillies spring training opens with pitchers and catchers reporting WEDNESDAY Veterans scheduled to report THURSDAY, FEB. 27 Spring training opener, at Bradenton, vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m. FRIDAY, FEB. 28 Spring training home opener, vs.

NY Yankees, 1:05 p.m. THURSDAY, MARCH 6 First spring training night game, at Tampa, vs. NY Yankees, 7:15 MONDAY, MARCH 31 Season opener, at Florida, 4:05 p.m. FRIDAY, APRIL 4 Last opener at the Vet, vs. Pirates, 1:35 p.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 28 Start of first West Coast trip, to Los Angeles, San Diego and Arizona TUESDAY, MAY 27 Start of longest homestand, 12 games TUESDAY, JUNE 3 first-ever visit to Veterans Stadium, 7:05 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 6 first- ever visit to Veterans Stadium, 7:05 p.m. TUESDAY, AUG. 19 Start of longest road trip, 13 games, to Milwaukee, St. Louis, Montreal, NY Mets FRIDAY, SEPT.

26 Final series at Veterans Stadium, vs. Atlanta Jimmy Rollins covers plenty of ground between bases, but he needs to be better getting on base. SIX PLAYERS ON THE SPOT LHP Rheal Cormier Lefthanders hit almost .300 against him in 2002. And whom getting paid to retire. SS Jimmy Rollins In 2002, scored fewer runs, had fewer hits, and saw his average and steals drop.

New success needs the 2001 version. RHP Jose Mesa Half of his team-record 45 saves last season gave Larry Bowa indigestion. His nine blown saves gave Bowa heartache. CF Marlon Byrd A speedy farm system gem who has been given the starting position. Question is whether he can keep it.

RHP Brandon Duckworth Young, and pitched like it last year, leading the team in homers and walks allowed. A repeat could land him in the minors or, even worse, Tampa Bay. RHP Turk Wendell Since he arrived from the Mets, he has been hurt and unhappy. Healthy, he can make the bullpen something to smile about. YONG News By PAUL VIGNA ROSTER MASH After a busy offseason, how things have changed for the Phils since last September.

HELLO PlayerObtainedLast TeamThe Skinny 3B David Bell free agentSan FranciscoThis starter at third. Great name for headlines. RHP Mike Fyhrie free another righthanded arm. Give him the ball. RHP Josh Hancock tradeBostonWith a Hancock and (Terry) Adams, all Philly needs is a Franklin.

INF Tyler Houston free agentLos AngelesIf he sticks, will battle Tomas Perez for most positions played. RHP Kevin Millwood tradeAtlantaOur 18-game winner. Kind of has a ring to it. LHP Bud Smith tradeSt. seem as if room for him, but a young lefty with talent.

1B Jim Thome free agentClevelandHits with power. Gets on base. A role model. Go ahead, try to find a blemish. GOODBYE PlayerLeftNew TeamThe Skinny 2B Marlon Anderson free agentTampa BayHappy to be wanted again.

RHP Ricky Bottalico free agentArizonaCurt Schilling will have the towels handy to drape over his head. Johnny Estrada tradeAtlantaPhils should know how to pitch to him. 1B Jason Giambi tradeBostonGives Red Sox a more than capable designated hitter. OF Doug Glanville free agentTexasMay he find happiness as a Ranger. 1B Travis Lee free agentTampa BayThink he cracked a smile on his way out of town? RHP Mike Timlin free agentBostonBarely got to know him.

STICK THE CHEWING TOBACCO IN THE CAB This is an estimate of what Frank Coppenbarger and his clubhouse personnel staff of Kevin Steinhour, Phil Sheridan and Danny have taken with them for the 6-week stay. 12,000 baseballs 10,000 pieces of gum 2,000 hangers 1,200 baseball caps 1,140 baseball bats 840 bars of soap 800 towels 550 pairs of pants 400 Phillies T-shirts 250 Phillies jackets 150 jerseys and helmets 100 equipment bags 50 rosin bags 24 cases of sunflower seeds 20 cases of Powerade powder 15 gallons of grass stain remover 5 computer terminals 1 tractor-trailer: 48 feet long, 9 feet high and 7 feet wide SOURCE: Phillies PR department PAGE162.