Michael Tucker

On deck Mark Mulder of the Athletics tries for his major league-leading 18th victory today, facing the Devil Rays. He said it "I feel old, I can tell you that. The losing doesn't help, believe me." Lou Piniella, Devil Rays manager, celebrating his 61st birthday yesterday Who's hot Todd Helton of the Rockies and Joe Medwick (1933-1939) are the only players with at least 35 dou bles in their first seven seasons. Who's not Michael Tucker of the Giants is 0-for-25 in his past eight games.

Moving from a suburban bookstore to a swanky ballroom, this year's Book Bash will feature nearly 50 authors, including historians, actors and writers of children's books. After more than 600 people attended last year at the Greetings and Readings in Hunt Valley, organizers moved tonight's event downtown to the Tremont Grand. This year, a bigger space, a jazz band and flutist, caterers and presentations by authors Chip Silverman and Michael Tucker (of L.A. Law fame) may mean an even larger turnout, said Caryn Sagal, the event's publicity chair.

Moving from a suburban bookstore to a swanky ballroom, this year's Book Bash will feature nearly 50 authors, including historians, actors and writers of children's books. After more than 600 people attended last year at the Greetings and Readings in Hunt Valley, organizers moved tonight's event downtown to the Tremont Grand. This year, a bigger space, a jazz band and flutist, caterers and presentations by authors Chip Silverman and Michael Tucker (of L.A. Law fame) may mean an even larger turnout, said Caryn Sagal, the event's publicity chair.

On deck Mark Mulder of the Athletics tries for his major league-leading 18th victory today, facing the Devil Rays. He said it "I feel old, I can tell you that. The losing doesn't help, believe me." Lou Piniella, Devil Rays manager, celebrating his 61st birthday yesterday Who's hot Todd Helton of the Rockies and Joe Medwick (1933-1939) are the only players with at least 35 dou bles in their first seven seasons. Who's not Michael Tucker of the Giants is 0-for-25 in his past eight games.

COLLEGE PARK -- The University of Maryland has issued an apology over the removal of negative signs directed toward coach Mark Duffner during the Terps' 13-10 victory over Georgia Tech last Thursday at Byrd Stadium.The statement reads:"The University regrets that members of its game management staff indicated to spectators during the Nov. 14, 1996, football game that unless signs urging the removal of Coach Mark Duffner were taken down, they would have to leave the stadium."While this was done in the spirit of supporting Coach Duffner, his family and our team, it was contrary to the University's long-held commitment to free expression.

The theater programs that carry the credit "Directed by Todd Pearthree" make a tall stack.The 39-year-old director continues his tradition of work, work and more work with his production of the 1938 musical comedy, "The Boys from Syracuse," in the Spotlighters Theatre at 817 St. Paul St. It opens April 30 and runs weekends through May 30.Todd Pearthree (pronounced pear tree) has a name to be reckoned with in Baltimore theater circles. Walter, his father, who died several years ago, appeared in many local productions.

Auto racing CART: Named Christopher Pook president and chief executive. Baseball ANGELS: Agree with P Dennis Cook on one-year contract. ATHLETICS: Named Eric Kubota director of scouting; Chris Pittaro national field coordinator; and Matt Keough; and Ron Hopkins special assistants to the general manager. CUBS: Signed free-agent OF Moises Alou, who had been with Astros, to three-year contract with mutual option for 2005. Traded OF Michael Tucker to Royals for player to be named. GIANTS: Announced OF Barry Bonds has accepted the team's offer of salary arbitration.

It's time for fans of "L.A. Law" to face the unpleasant possibility that maybe the show can't be fixed. Maybe these are the final days of a once-great TV series, and come May, the doors of McKenzie, Brackman will close forever.NBC is trying to save the series. Boy, is it trying to save it.Backstage, it's becoming a regular soap opera, the network is trying so hard. Executive Producer Patricia Green resigned or was forced to resign two weeks ago, depending on whom you're listening to. And Steven Bochco, the series creator, is coming back to take total-hands-on or maybe only semi-hands-on control of the show, depending on who's describing Bochco's new role.

It's time for fans of "L.A. Law" to face the unpleasant possibility that maybe the show can't be fixed. Maybe these are the final days of a once-great TV series, and come May, the doors of McKenzie, Brackman will close forever.NBC is trying to save the series. Boy, is it trying to save it.Backstage, it's becoming a regular soap opera, the network is trying so hard. Executive Producer Patricia Green resigned or was forced to resign two weeks ago, depending on whom you're listening to. And Steven Bochco, the series creator, is coming back to take total-hands-on or maybe only semi-hands-on control of the show, depending on who's describing Bochco's new role.

Alvin E. Tucker, who retired as a Navy officer and a Westinghouse Electric Corp. manager, died Monday of a respiratory illness at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The Joppatowne resident was 67.He retired in 1983 as a purchasing and materials manager at the Westinghouse plant at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. In 1973, he retired as a lieutenant commander in the Navy, ending a career that began in 1951 and included duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars.The native of Greensboro, Ala., moved to Welch, W.Va.

Auto racing CART: Named Christopher Pook president and chief executive. Baseball ANGELS: Agree with P Dennis Cook on one-year contract. ATHLETICS: Named Eric Kubota director of scouting; Chris Pittaro national field coordinator; and Matt Keough; and Ron Hopkins special assistants to the general manager. CUBS: Signed free-agent OF Moises Alou, who had been with Astros, to three-year contract with mutual option for 2005. Traded OF Michael Tucker to Royals for player to be named. GIANTS: Announced OF Barry Bonds has accepted the team's offer of salary arbitration.

MIAMI -- Viva, Livan.That was the rallying cry over South Florida today after rookie Livan Hernandez provided the rescue needed by the Florida Marlins' beleaguered pitching staff.The rookie who defected from the Cuban national team out-dueled Greg Maddux with a three-hitter and the Marlins regained the lead in the National League Championship Series with a 2-1 victory over the defending champion Atlanta Braves.With the aid of the liberal strike zone of plate umpire Eric Gregg, Hernandez struck out a career-high 15 Braves and equaled the LCS record.

COLLEGE PARK -- The University of Maryland has issued an apology over the removal of negative signs directed toward coach Mark Duffner during the Terps' 13-10 victory over Georgia Tech last Thursday at Byrd Stadium.The statement reads:"The University regrets that members of its game management staff indicated to spectators during the Nov. 14, 1996, football game that unless signs urging the removal of Coach Mark Duffner were taken down, they would have to leave the stadium."While this was done in the spirit of supporting Coach Duffner, his family and our team, it was contrary to the University's long-held commitment to free expression.

BaseballAstros: Sent P Mark Small to Triple-A Tucson.Athletics: Signed 3B Eric Chavez, club's first-round pick in draft.Devil Rays: Signed SS Derek Mann, P T. J. Hill, P Spencer Young and OF Michael Jackson.Indians: Activated former Orioles P Dennis Martinez from 15-day DL. Designated P Greg Swindell for assignment.Pirates: President Mark Sauer resigned. Placed OF Orlando Merced on 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 22, with strained muscle in right calf. Activated 2B Carlos Garcia from 15-day DL.Reds: Placed P Mark Portugal on 15-day DL. Recalled former Orioles OF Curtis Goodwin from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Alvin E. Tucker, who retired as a Navy officer and a Westinghouse Electric Corp. manager, died Monday of a respiratory illness at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The Joppatowne resident was 67.He retired in 1983 as a purchasing and materials manager at the Westinghouse plant at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. In 1973, he retired as a lieutenant commander in the Navy, ending a career that began in 1951 and included duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars.The native of Greensboro, Ala., moved to Welch, W.Va.

Baltimore theatergoers who bought tickets to special performances of "A Christmas Carol" are crying humbug -- because the show is as invisible as the ghost of Christmas past.An all-star cast was to have performed the Christmas classic this month at the Homewood campus of the Johns Hopkins University, but the producer never paid for the auditorium -- prompting the university to cancel the show and leaving ticket buyers struggling to get their money back.Authorities say that it's not the first time that the California-based producer, Kevin Von Feldt, has advertised an elaborate production of "A Christmas Carol" only to back out because of financial difficulties.

"Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter," at 9 p.m. Sunday on WBAL-TV (Channel 11), is astonishing in how dull it manages to become after about 15 minutes.The CBS film is supposed to be the docudrama of the lives of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz from about 1940 when they first met to October 1951 when their television series, "I Love Lucy," debuted.The story could be an interesting one. Arnaz was a sexy, Cuban-American bandleader come to Hollywood to make movies. Ball was a hard-working actress starring in a lot of B movies.

MIAMI -- Viva, Livan.That was the rallying cry over South Florida today after rookie Livan Hernandez provided the rescue needed by the Florida Marlins' beleaguered pitching staff.The rookie who defected from the Cuban national team out-dueled Greg Maddux with a three-hitter and the Marlins regained the lead in the National League Championship Series with a 2-1 victory over the defending champion Atlanta Braves.With the aid of the liberal strike zone of plate umpire Eric Gregg, Hernandez struck out a career-high 15 Braves and equaled the LCS record.

The theater programs that carry the credit "Directed by Todd Pearthree" make a tall stack.The 39-year-old director continues his tradition of work, work and more work with his production of the 1938 musical comedy, "The Boys from Syracuse," in the Spotlighters Theatre at 817 St. Paul St. It opens April 30 and runs weekends through May 30.Todd Pearthree (pronounced pear tree) has a name to be reckoned with in Baltimore theater circles. Walter, his father, who died several years ago, appeared in many local productions.

What a week. Most of it was devoted to trying to find a few movie star types planning to attend the Orioles opening day game tomorrow. Tom Selleck, Robert Redford, Tom Cruise, where are you when I need you?After pursuing rumors most of the week, I was excited to learn that "L.A. Law" stars Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker would be in town, only to learn they were coming in for yesterday's grand opening of the Sir Speedy Store in Towson. The store is owned by Nelson Tucker, Michael Tucker's cousin, and the L.A. couple promised him they would fly in to pick up stationery they'd ordered.