Staff and wire reports

MIAMI - Rob Dibble was behind the batting cage before Game 4 of the World Series at Pro Player Stadium Wednesday night.

Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon was a drag bunt away, but Dibble, a former major league pitcher and current ESPN broadcaster, didn't speak to him.

"No way," Dibble said. "It's all about them here. It's nothing about me. Nobody brings up the good things I said about him. How he outmanaged Dusty Baker in the NLCS. How he should be manager of the year."

The bad things Dibble said about McKeon did get a lot of publicity. Shortly after McKeon was named the Marlins manager, Dibble, speaking on ESPN Radio, questioned McKeon's ability as a manager and said young players would not respond to him.

Even with the Marlins in the World Series, Dibble doesn't regret saying what he said.

"I don't regret anything," he said. "Life is too short."

Dibble admits he and McKeon have a history.

"With me and Jack, it's personal," Dibble said.

When McKeon was managing San Diego, he had an umpire make Dibble, then with the Reds, change his jersey because his sleeves were flying as he delivered the ball.

"I got the save," Dibble said. "I struck out four of six, wearing Stan Williams' jersey."

REGGIE ON RIVERA: Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson says Yankees closer Mariano Rivera's style is part of his incredible success.

"He's like Cool Hand Luke," Jackson said. "He walks slow. He moves slow. The only thing he does hard is throw."

CASEY VISITS: Reds first baseman Sean Casey talked to McKeon for 20 minutes Wednesday.

"It's great to see it all happen for him," Casey said.

Casey gives McKeon a lot credit for getting the Marlins here.

"No secret he won 96 games, then 85 with us," Casey said. "Then in his next managerial job, he gets the team to the World Series."

Casey said McKeon's style works.

"A lot of people say he undermanages," Casey said. "But that's good. Players play for him. You can see that."

98 DEGREES: Nick Lachey, of 98 Degrees and Newlyweds fame, and a former Cincinnatian, sang the National Anthem before Game 4.

John Fay

WELLS' FUTURE: David Wells could be making his final appearance with the Yankees when he starts Game 5 today.

"It's out of my hands," the left-hander said. "It's up to George Steinbrenner if they want to exercise my option."

Wells is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in his four appearances this postseason, allowing opponents to hit .229 in 22 1/3 innings.

The Associated Press