Gant

The Orioles will be in the market for a second baseman, a heavy-hitting outfielder and a closer this off-season, and they may need a couple of starting pitchers. But new manager Davey Johnson said yesterday he likes the core of players he is inheriting."I believe the talent pool is as good or better than any I've had," said Johnson, who will have strong input in the makeup of the roster. "We've probably got a much more potent 3-4-5 [hitters in the lineup] than I had in Cincinnati. The pitching staff has the potential to be as good as any I've had, with Mike Mussina."

AFTER MODERNIZING four apartment buildings in Baltimore's Charles Village area over the past five years, the Johns Hopkins University is coming to the rescue of the largest one yet.The Homewood Apartments, a seven-story building at 3003 N. Charles St., is home to 230 students. But its plumbing and heating systems haven't been upgraded since it was built in the 1920s. It also needs energy-efficient windows and new elevators.Hopkins recently selected consultants to explore the feasibility of upgrading Homewood's apartments while preserving its handsome brick exterior, designed by Edward Glidden.

Justice William M. Gant, 75, who resided on the bench of the Kentucky Supreme Court for eight years before retiring in 1991, died Sunday of cancer in Owensboro, Ky.

Desperation is trading your best minor-league prospect when you're still waging war on .500 as August nears.Desperation is maxing out your payroll for next season when there are still two months left in this season.Desperation is caving in to another team's trade demands only because George Steinbrenner, who hasn't been to the playoffs in 14 years -- not exactly a smart lead to follow -- is just as desperate as you.Desperation, the wrong mood in which to make a trade, is what drove the Orioles to acquire Bobby Bonilla.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Orioles missed out on Ron Gant last year and he became a National League All-Star. But the Orioles could have another chance at getting him, he said, when he becomes a free agent after this season."

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Batting in the ninth inning with the game on the line is not pressure. Batting in the seventh game of the World Series is not pressure.Batting in the All-Star workout, that's pressure."It's a fun thing, and everybody likes to watch it," Atlanta All-Star first baseman Fred McGriff said. "But if you're in it, there's pressure. You know everybody is watching, and the last thing you want to do is pop up."McGriff will watch this year's contest, which is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. today at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Get out your 20-20 hindsight glasses. The second (and final) meeting of the Baltimore Orioles chapter of second guessers is hereby called to order. The topic: hitters. The Orioles outfield is in disarray. Andy Van Slyke, Matt Nokes and Damon Buford (who was sent to the minors Friday) have hit a combined .114 with four home runs and 13 RBI. This week's selection is a review of the hitters the Orioles could have signed.CHARACTERS ........ COMMENTJay Buhner -- UP -- This guy wasn't worth $18 million.

Manny RamirezRight fielder, Cleveland Indians'Ramirez is the Indians budding young star and the number seven in their awesome attack.4*AB.. .. ..R.. ..H.. ..HR.. ..RBI.. ..AVG.24.. .. ..8.. .12.. ...3.. .. 10.. . .500Ron GrantLeft Fielder, Cincinnati RedsGant had two game-winning hits this week and has led the Reds back into contention.4*AB.. .. ..R.. ..H.. ..HR.. ..RBI.. ..AVG.23.. ... .8.. ..9.. ...2.. ....9.. . .391

* The single-season record for extra-inning homers is five, by Charlie Manuel in 1960. Reds left fielder Ron Gant hit three in 10 days.* Minnesota's starting pitchers had a combined ERA of 8.30 after losing to Detroit, 14-3, Wednesday.* Before the Cubs' Kevin Foster and Marvin Freeman of Colorado hit homers against each other this week, the last time pitchers had traded homers was in 1990, when Fernando Valenzuela and Kevin Gross traded blows. Pitchers have homered against each other 12 times in this century.