Mccraw

Home plate was moved to Oriole Park at Camden Yards during the touching final-day ceremonies Sunday at Memorial Stadium.Yesterday, Baltimore Orioles manager John Oates also hitched a ride on the downtown caravan.The Orioles gave Oates the opportunity to start a winning tradition in their new home, signing him to a two-year contract that extends through 1993. No terms were disclosed, but he is believed to have signed for approximately $125,000 for next season."They [the front office] had given some indication about a month ago that they were happy with what I was doing and that I'd be back," said Oates, who guided the team to a 54-71 record, including 35 one-run losses, after replacing Frank Robinson on May 23."

With the additions of Davey Lopes, Greg Biagini and Dick Bosman, the Baltimore Orioles officially completed their coaching staff yesterday.Manager John Oates said he was "more than satisfied" with the hirings: "I'm tickled to death. We've got some veterans, a young guy who has paid his dues [Biagini] and a very energetic mixture, hard-working and versatile."The three join Cal Ripken Sr., the third-base coach, and Elrod Hendricks, the bullpen coach. Both are longtime Orioles fixtures."I only want five coaches," said Oates, dismissing speculation that the staff might include six. "With the well-rounded staff we have, we can do it with that many."

The Baltimore Orioles, in conjunction with Purina, will hold a clinic for youngsters ages 6-13 Saturday at the Dallastown (Pa.) Community Park near York, Pa. Scheduled to appear from the Orioles are Jeff Ballard, Tim Hulett, Elrod Hendricks and Tom McCraw. All youngsters attending the clinic will receive an Orioles/Purina baseball cap. For more information, call 243-9800.

Advertising and Public Relations Rosen Group appoints Herring, Cason Managers The Rosen Group appointed Kurt Herring and Rebecca Cason general managers for the Baltimore-based arts marketing and publishing firm. Herring, formerly advertising director for NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines, will lead the publishing division and have responsibility for implementing advertising sales goals, marketing strategies and increased newstand and subscription sales of those magazines. Cason, a graduate of the New York City School of Visual Arts, will supervise the firm's show division.

BASEBALL (NL) * New York Mets -- Named Tom McCraw hitting instructor and first base coach.BASKETBALL (NBA) * Miami Heat -- Waived Richard Anderson (forward).HOCKEY (NHL) * New York Rangers -- Recalled Peter Fiorentino (defenseman) from Binghamton of the American Hockey League. Sent Ric Bennett (left wing) and Corey Millen (center) to Binghamton.* St. Louis Blues -- Assigned Ron Hoover (forward) to Peoria of the International Hockey League. Assigned Dominic Lavoie (defenseman) to Peoria for conditioning.

On January 17, 2004, EDITH A. (nee Gately); beloved wife of John M. Ryan, devoted mother of Nancy Ruscito and her husband the late Joseph Ruscito, and James J. Ryan and his wife Sharon, dear sister of Margaret McCraw and her husband William and Anna Novak, and her husband Frank, dear grandmother of Joselle Ruscito-Williams and her husband Andrew Charles, Shawn P. Ryan and his fiance' Coral Chagouris. A visitation Monday and Tuesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at the Cvach/Rosedale Funeral Home, 1211 Chesaco Avenue.

BaseballNL: Named Padres 3B Ken Caminiti (.382, 9 HRs) Player of the Month and Dodgers' Hideo Nomo (3-1, 1.91 ERA) Pitcher of the Month.Cubs: Fired pitching coach Ferguson Jenkins. Rehired coaches Dave Bialas, Tony Muser, Mako Oliveras, Dan Radison and Billy Williams.Mets: Fired coaches Tom McCraw, Steve Swisher, Rafael Landestoy and Mike Cubbage.CollegesCentennial Conference: Named Western Maryland junior CB Kevin Brown Defensive Player of the Week after his three interceptions at Ursinus tied conference single-game record.

With Mike Devereaux and Paul Molitor in the leadoff spots for their respective teams, the big pop could come at any time. If not tonight, then maybe tomorrow night.The Orioles' Devereaux leads AL leadoff hitters with 12 home runs. Not since Don Buford clubbed 19 in 1970 has an Orioles leadoff hitter had so many. Molitor, his Milwaukee counterpart, has 10.Neither homered in the first two games of the series, but two chances remain, tonight when Ben McDonald (5-5) faces Jaime Navarro (8-9) and tomorrow night when Bob Milacki (7-5)

ATLANTA -- Under ideal circumstances, the Orioles most likely would have preferred to wait until after the World Series to announce the completion of their coaching staff.But what was baseball's worst kept secret, has now become official. Greg Biagini, Dick Bosman and Davey Lopes were named today to the coaching staff in an announcement made by general manager Roland Hemond.Ever since Tom McCraw, who was originally asked to return as hitting coach, accepted the same job with the New York Mets, the makeup of manager John Oates' staff has been a foregone conclusion.