Blay ball! Jackson's action to start at Sarasota

And the winner is . . . Sarasota, Fla.

The Class A Florida State League team, owned by the White Sox,won the Bo Jackson Rehabilitation Sweepstakes Wednesday when the clubannounced the all-world athlete would begin his comeback there as adesignated hitter this weekend.

Jackson, who has been on a strenuous rehabilitation program forhis football-induced left hip injury suffered last January, then willplay for hometown Class AA Birmingham Monday through Wednesday beforerejoining the club to get back on trainer Herm Schneider's program.

"The main thing is for Bo to avoid a setback," general managerRon Schueler said. "We want him back here for a complete evaluationafter he's through."

Schueler said Jackson will not be activated that weekend, butdid not rule out the Sept. 2-5 home series with the Royals, whoreleased Jackson in March when doctors feared he eventually couldlose his leg from avascular necrosis, a degenerative injury.

Jackson said it will be "a relief" when he steps into Sarasota'sbatting box for the first time.

"I'm expecting butterflies, but I'm not going to lose my focus,"he said. "I'm rehabbing to play."

Jackson, who feels he's at 50 percent physically from lack ofmuscle strength, has learned to slide on his right side.

"The first thing I want to do is swing the bat and put the ballwhere there are no defenders so I can get to first base," he said.

"The one thing I'm concerned about is my speed. I used to pridemyself on being the fastest person on the field. I used to enjoyshaking up the pitcher. But right now, I'm only one-fourth orone-half of what I should be.

"I won't be a speed demon."

The Comiskey Park switchboard lit up immediately with mediarequests from around the nation.

"I know how to deal with the media," Jackson said. "It's moremedia hype than anything, but this won't be a media convention. Thegame is the main thing."

Jackson doesn't think he'll distract the younger Sarasotaplayers.

"We're all in the same profession. Once we all start playing,it's a game."

The club considered Class A South Bend for Jackson's first fewgames to make it more accessible for Chicago fans, but the team isout of town over the weekend.

Birmingham president Marty Kuehnert almost knocked the Baronsout of consideration by pre-announcing the club's intentions.

"Marty's a good PR guy," Schueler said. "If Rob goes (seniormarketing vice-president Rob Gallas), we can bring him in."

Each club figures to make $20,000 a game with Jackson in thelineup.

A voice on Sarasota's answering machine at Ed Smith Field said,"Tickets for Bo Jackson's games go on sale tomorrow . . . "

Jackson will be accompanied by Scott Pippin of Health SouthSports Medicine and rehabilitation in Birmingham, home of notedorthopedic surgeon James Andrews.

"He won't be the same fleet-footed Bo, but I feel real goodabout where he's at right now," trainer Schneider said.

Jackson isn't ready for football, but won't discuss thepossibility of playing again for the NFL Raiders. He was hurt whentackled by the Bengals in a playoff game.

"I don't think this is the football season," he said. "It'stheir pre-season. This is the real season."