By JOHN DELCOS
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

NEW YORK - Should the New York Yankees attempt to push Aaron Boone out the door, the Major League Players Association will shove back.

Claiming the team is not allowed to terminate his one-year, $5.75 million contract because he injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a pick-up basketball game nearly two weeks ago, the union says it would defend Boone if it comes to that.

On Monday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said certain activities in Boone's contract were prohibited, "including basketball," but Players Association spokesman Greg Bouris countered that Tuesday, insisting, "(Boone) is not in breach of his contract," because the players' standard contract only prohibits participating in "professional league basketball," and does not specify a pick-up game.

However, even though the Yankees' far-reaching contract designates a myriad of banned physical activities and specifically states "pick-up basketball," the union's contention is an individual player's contract can't be more restrictive, than the standard players' contract.

In this case, the union claims, not allowing Boone to play in a simple pick-up game would be too prohibitive.

While each player's contract contains standard provisions, it is also tailored to the individual. Mike Mussina, for instance, has it written that he can play pick-up basketball, but only for a limited three-week window prior to Jan. 1, and on his personal court at his Montoursville, Pa., home.

The Players Association doesn't contest Mussina's contract because he isn't denied anything and that his playing of basketball is just scheduled.

Boone has no such provision about basketball.

One Major League Baseball official agrees with the Yankees, citing the 1994 precedent of Ron Gant being released by Atlanta after he was injured riding a dirt bike.

The position of the Players Association, which so far is the lone dissenter, is not endorsed by Boone's agent, Adam Katz.

"I can't confirm or deny anything that the Players Association says," Katz said. "I have no comment on that."

That could be a way of saying he won't ruffle the feathers of the already-angry Yankees since he might have to negotiate a settlement later.

Boone, whose Game 7 AL Championship Series homer put the Yankees into the World Series, was injured Jan. 16 and examined three days later by Anaheim Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Boone still hasn't been examined by the Yankees.

"We have to wait until the swelling goes down before we know something definitive," Katz said.

That's why contract talk might be premature.

Dr. Jonathan Glashow, a knee specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital, said an injury to the left knee - "the dominant leg is the right as both a hitter and fielder" - may allow him to return a little more quickly.

Glashow said six months is probably the norm for a tear, and "four months is really pushing the limit."

In that case, four months with a tear is the end of May, six months is the end of July, and it must be remembered Boone hasn't yet been diagnosed with a tear.