MLB Wire Notes | Cuban could be "bum" in Chicago

CHICAGO — Mark Cuban wants to become a billionaire bleacher bum if he buys the Chicago Cubs.

The Dallas Mavericks owner, known for noisily cheering his NBA team and berating officials from courtside, reiterated strong interest Monday in owning the Cubs.

"Everybody thinks I'm going to be on the sidelines, in the dugout, jumping up and down. That's not where I'll be," he said on the Mike North Morning Show on radio station WSCR.

"When I went to the Cubs game a couple weeks ago, I sat in the bleachers, and I'll have a seat marked out for me and my friends."

Tribune Co. announced six months ago that it would sell the club after the season in connection with an $8.2 billion buyout of the media conglomerate led by real estate magnate Sam Zell. But the process has moved slowly and many don't expect a sale to be completed until well into 2008.

Cuban said he hasn't made a final decision on whether to bid for the team. But once Tribune provides full details about the assets for sale, he expects to be in.

"It's a great sports town, it's a great franchise with a storied history. There's so many opportunities here," he said.

Notes

• Roger Clemens' Hall of Fame career may have inched closer to finality. Before the Yankees played Game 4 of their AL Division Series, they took advantage of a new rule and officially eliminated Clemens from their roster for the first round of the playoffs.

With the playing future of the 45-year-old Clemens once again up in the air, the move further increased the odds that he has thrown his last pitch in a major-league game.

"I haven't thought about that," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said before the game against the Indians. "I've been there before, done that, anyway."

• Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and his agent, Pat Rooney, will meet with GM Pat Gillick today about a new contract.

• Tigers DH Gary Sheffield, 38, had shoulder surgery and is expected to recover in time for the start of spring training. The shoulder will be supported by a sling for a month before he begins rehabilitation.

• Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano will get a second opinion on his nonthrowing shoulder Wednesday and may have surgery Thursday after the team physician determined he had a torn labrum.

Newsday and The Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this report.