Cone Heads Out of Yankee Stadium

N E W  Y O R K, Dec. 8 -- For six seasons, David Cone was a constant inthe New York Yankees clubhouse, a team spokesman whether he pitchedor not.

Not wanting a diminished role as a No. 5 starter, Cone decidedThursday to turn down the chance to remain with the World Serieschampions and pitch elsewhere next year.

Coming off a 4-14 season, Cone could have stayed for about$500,000 guaranteed and the chance to earn more in performancebonuses, a huge cut from his $12 million salary this year.

An Amicable Split

He said no thanks, and because the free-agent pitcher wasn’toffered salary arbitration, he is ineligible to re-sign with theYankees until May 1.

“It seemed best for both sides to go their separate ways,”said Cone’s agent, Steve Fehr. “I know David once said he wanted to remain a Yankee for the rest of his career, but sometimescircumstances change in ways you cannot quite foresee.”

Cone pitched a perfect game against Montreal in 1999, but hasgone 6-19 since. He had a 6.91 ERA this year and pitched twice inthe postseason, making two relief appearances for a total of 1 1-3innings.

“Maybe with what he wants to do now, he is better to gosomewhere he is needed more, not a situation where he is a fifthstarter, and the four ahead of him are potential All-Stars,” Fehrsaid.

Cone would have followed Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, OrlandoHernandez and newly signed Mike Mussina in the Yankees’ rotation. New York now will turn either to Cuban defector Adrian Hernandez — not related to El Duque — or one of its young pitchers. DwightGooden, who agreed Thursday to a minor league contract, is anoutside possibility.

A Subway Ride Away

Cone, who will be 38 next season, has a 184-116 career recordwith a 3.40 ERA, also pitching for the New York Mets, Kansas Cityand Toronto. He won the AL Cy Young Award with the Royals in 1994and has been on a pair of five World Series championship teams:Toronto in 1992 and the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.