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CHICAGO - Seattle outfielder Mike Cameron has a suggestion about how to stop fans from running onto the field during games.

"Just put an advisory on the scoreboard that if you come on the field, you are going to get your butt kicked," said Cameron. "You look at every guy who has come on the field, he has gotten his butt kicked."

Players everywhere were shaken by the events Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field when umpire Laz Diaz was tackled from behind by a fan. Given that it followed an even worse incident at the White Sox's park in September, the players have become wary of fans.

"It used to be that when somebody ran out onto the field it was the Kissing Bandit - that pretty woman that came up to you and gave you a kiss," Cleveland coach Jeff Datz said. "Not anymore. Now if somebody runs out on the field, he jumps on your back."

Players believe it is time to take matters into their own hands. They were proud of how their fraternity responded to Tuesday's incident, with Kansas City right fielder Brandon Berger immediately streaking to Diaz's defense. The punches thrown in the pile left the fan with a head wound visible in photos as he was led to jail.

Other players are anticipating their chance to pull a "Berger."

"I might be the happiest guy on the planet if that ever happened to me," Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi said. "I'd get to beat the (expletive) out of somebody, take out a little frustration."

Even relievers are talking tough.

"We've been told that anybody who gets on the field is trespassing and is fair game," Pittsburgh's Scott Sauerbeck said.

In a legal sense that might be true, but would you want to trust a judge or a jury with your $5 million salary? Players need to be careful about getting caught up in vigilante justice.

Major League Baseball does not advocate do-it-yourself retribution.

"We do not want players to be involved in these things," MLB executive vice president Sandy Alderson said. "It is the job of security, not the players, to take charge."

STAT OF THE WEEK: After drawing 42,301 for their home opener, the Indians finished the homestand by drawing the nine smallest crowds in the history of Jacobs Field.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Cardinals right-hander Brett Tomko, on whether his first-inning problems (12 runs in three starts) are mental or physical: "It's apples and oranges. And probably some watermelons. It's more like a fruit salad."

LIST OF THE WEEK: The Devil Rays are paying a total of about $15.1 million to the 25 players on their active roster. There are 11 players making more than that by themselves this season. The list:

1. Alex Rodriguez (Rangers), $22 million

2. Manny Ramirez (Red Sox), $20 million

3. Carlos Delgado (Blue Jays), $18.7 million

4. Mo Vaughn (Mets), $17.167 million

5. Sammy Sosa (Cubs), $16 million

6. Shawn Green (Dodgers), $15.667 million

7. Derek Jeter (Yankees), $15.6 million

8. Mike Piazza (Mets), $15.571 million

9. Pedro Martinez (Red Sox), $15.5 million

9. Barry Bonds (Giants), $15.5 million

11. Kevin Brown (Dodgers), $15.174 million

LIST OF THE WEEK II: Tim Spooneybarger, Vida Blue, Heinie Manush, Onix Concepcion, Milton Bradley, Razor Shines and Pokey Reese are among baseball players listed as having one of the "34 Best Names in Sports" by the Ultimate Book of Sports Lists.

HEADLINE OF THE WEEK: On the back page of the New York Post after the Mets went 1-for-17 in a 5-4 loss to the Expos last weekend: "Puerto Reek-o."

BAD MOVE OF THE WEEK: Before the Braves arrived in Miami to play the Marlins last week, a series of advertisements ran in local (Miami) papers with a headline: "Come See Batting Practice With Greg Maddux and the Braves."

Later, Florida's ad guys swore the spots had been approved before the season started and had nothing - cross their hearts and hope to die - to do with the fact that the four-time Cy Young Award winner had an 0-3 start and 11.05 ERA.

What happened next was utterly predictable. Maddux held the Marlins to one run on two hits in six innings. He needed only 59 pitches. He retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced while hitting his spots in vintage Maddux style.

Said Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell of the advertising employees: "Pretty stupid. Freaking idiots."