Griffey, Sosa get chance to rock Cashman Center

Home run derby captured America's hearts and imagination last season, and fans at today's Big League Weekend opener between the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners at Cashman Field were expected to catch an early glimpse of two players who may be in the hunt again in 1999.

In Chicago's Sammy Sosa and Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr., Las Vegans could witness a pair of sluggers who combined for a whopping 122 home runs last year, yet finished second and third, respectively, to St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire.

McGwire smashed Roger Maris' long-standing single season home run record of 61 by blasting 70. Sosa was next with 66 followed by Griffey at 56.

If the preseason handle at the Imperial Palace is any indication, however, local bettors have their own ideas about who might be this season's home run king. And they're not picking McGwire, Sosa or Griffey.

With Opening Day just two days away, Baltimore outfielder Albert Belle has generated the most action so far, according to IP assistant sports book manager Kelly Downey.

"There's been heavy betting on Belle," Downey said. "Everyone else's odds have gone up, while his have gone down."

Since opening as a 6-1 choice at the IP, Belle has moved all the way to 4-1. McGwire, meanwhile, has slipped a bit from a 6-5 favorite to a 7-5 pick.

Sosa and Griffey, who opened at 5-2 and 3-2, respectively, are now 7-2 selections -- only slightly ahead of Belle.

Last season, Belle eclipsed the 45-home run mark for the third time in four years, belting 49 to finish fourth in the league.

"He's probably been the most consistent player over the last three years as far as putting up numbers," Downey said, referring to Belle's seven-year string of 30 homer-, 100 RBI-seasons. "Plus, he's in Baltimore, which is more of a hitter's park than he's played in."

Downey also pointed to Belle's 334-consecutive games played streak -- the longest in the majors -- as a good sign to bettors that he'll stay healthy again in 1999.

"McGwire was healthy last year, but you never know if he will again," Downey said. "And if (McGwire) starts off the first couple of series and everybody's walking him, you want to stay away from him."

Las Vegas Hilton sports book manager Chuck Esposito said his casino has seen similar interest in Belle, with the Oriole now a 5-2 favorite, behind only McGwire (4-5) and Sosa (8-5) and ahead of Griffey (3-1).

"There's been a lot of action on Belle for a couple of reasons -- the park he's playing in and the players he's got around him," Esposito said.

The Hilton also offers a head-to-head matchup between McGwire and Sosa, along with over-under betting on the total home runs the pair will hit this year.

"It's a fun proposition," Esposito said. "It generates a lot of action, we get publicity out of it and it's something we can keep up all season. Because of what they did last year, it's really carried over into this year. I just hope they both stay healthy and keep doing it."

Griffey actually will have two chances to hone his home run swing at hitter-friendly Cashman Field this weekend. The Mariners and Brewers will square off at 6:05 p.m. Saturday in the last of four preseason games comprising Big League Weekend.

Following today's matinee, the San Diego Padres will meet the Brewers at 7:05 tonight. On Saturday, the White Sox and Padres will tangle in the 12:05 p.m. game.

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