Leftovers: Kaline, 76, sees star in Harper, 18

Hall of Famer Al Kaline is one of those rare talents who knows what it's like to go straight to the major leagues without playing in the minors.

Chances are Bryce Harper won't join the select list, but the Las Vegan has already captured Kaline's attention.

"He looks like he is going to be a great player," the 76-year-old former Detroit Tigers star told MLB.com. "I love his swing. I love his approach. He has power, but he uses the whole field. I've watched him, and he looks like a phenomenal athlete and player. He is well advanced for his age."

The 18-year-old Harper, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, is the most talked-about prospect in years. He made quite an impression in his first stint in pro ball, hitting .343 in the Arizona Fall League.

But that was largely out of the media spotlight. Harper gets the full glare starting today when the Washington Nationals' full squad reports to spring training in Viera, Fla.

Though the Nationals are expected to send Harper to the minors to open the season, how long they keep him there is the question. Washington needs to sell tickets, and last year's buzz creator, pitcher Stephen Strasburg, will probably miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

As for Harper, he wants to put his own pressure on Nationals management.

"I like to make people make hard decisions," Harper said.

■ ESPN CALLS THE TUNE -- If Watergate taught us anything, it was, "Follow the money."

Follow the ESPN money to Texas and see how it affects the Mountain West Conference. ESPN is paying the Longhorns more than $12 million per year for the next 15 years, and you can believe the cable network expects more than the Texas scraps it will get initially.

One observer from the Mountain West expects Texas to go independent at some point, and then ESPN could televise far more than the one annual football game it is paying for.

Also, Texas A&M isn't happy about the ESPN deal, and after giving the Southeastern Conference a look last year, it might accept an invitation this time. And take at least Oklahoma with it.

The Big 12, which nearly fell apart last year, would certainly implode. And the Big 12 schools the Mountain West thought it might get in 2010 could become available.

That's why the talk of the Mountain West looking at San Jose State and Utah State was silly. The league has its sights set considerably higher.

■ CRIMSON WITH ENVY -- Auburn's BCS title was apparently too much for one Alabama fan to take.

Harvey Updyke Jr., of Dadeville, Ala., was arrested for allegedly poisoning the famed oaks at Toomer's Corner, the same trees that Auburn fans drape with toilet paper after big wins.

Updyke denies the allegation but admitted to calling a radio station to say the trees were poisoned. He identified himself as "Al from Dadeville" and ended the call by saying "Roll Damn Tide." Updyke later called an Auburn professor with the same information.

Police traced the phone calls to Updyke, whose first court-appointed attorney quit because of close ties to Auburn. A second has been assigned.

Updyke's children, by the way, are named Bear and Crimson.

Good luck with that defense, Harvey.

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL