Baseball: Around the horn

Thank goodness for that monkey

Prosecutors say a streaker who disrupted a New York Mets game by jumping onto Citi Field naked except for a stuffed monkey tied around his waist has pleaded not guilty to trespassing charges.

Craig Coakley was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of interfering with a professional sporting event. His lawyer says he posted $1,000 bail and will return to court on June 11. Coakley apparently told police after his arrest that it was a bet, and his boss said he'd pay a week's salary.

Prosecutors say the 38-year-old plumber was sitting in field-level seats around 8 p.m. Tuesday night when a security guard saw him take off his clothes, put the stuffed monkey around his waist and jump onto the field.

The Mets beat the Braves 4-3 in 10 innings.

WBC blamed again

Royals general manager Dayton Moore won't come right out and blame closer Joakim Soria's shoulder problems on participating in the World Baseball Classic. But ... "I don't think it helps," he said. "We couldn't control his work. If you can't control a pitcher's workload and you can't script their preparation during spring training, it's a problem."

'Moneyball' movie

Former A's and Mets manager Art Howe will play himself in "Moneyball," Steven Soderbergh's upcoming movie based on Michael Lewis' bestseller about how Oakland general manager Billy Beane manages to field a competitive team despite a low payroll. Scheduled for release in 2011, Brad Pitt will play Beane.

New kind of chew

Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco credited chewing bubble gum for his first win in six outings last Friday at Colorado. He said he chewed the gum to increase his saliva. That allowed him to get a better grip on the ball after licking his fingers, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Jays for real?

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, on when his surprising team can be considered a legitimate contender: "I think halfway through the season, I think if we're at that 81 (game) mark and we're playing the way we've been playing, I think we're for real at that point."

National League

In 1876 — 100 years after the Decerlation of Independence — a new major league started play. This league, started by Chicago White Stockings' owner William Hulbert, learned from the National Association's mistakes.