BASEBALL

YANKS HAVE LITTLE INTEREST IN VALENTINE; GIRARDI INTERVIEWS

Bobby Valentine likely won’t be asked to interview with the New York Yankees as they search for a new manager.

The Yankees began the interview process yesterday, with former Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi spending about an hour at Legends Field. Yankees bench coach Don Mattingly was due in Tuesday and New York first base coach Tony Pena on Wednesday. “There’s a slight favorite, not a heavy favorite,” Hank Steinbrenner, a son of owner George Steinbrenner, said Monday.

That favorite is presumed to be Mattingly, who spent this season as bench coach following three years as hitting coach under Joe Torre, who left last week after 12 seasons as manager.

Girardi, who drove in and out with general manager Brian Cashman, did not speak with reporters. Hank Steinbrenner said four or five people will be interviewed, but Valentine wasn’t on the list. Valentine, former manager of the New York Mets and Texas Rangers, currently is managing the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

“I would say at this point probably not. He’s certainly a smart guy, but probably not,” Steinbrenner said.

Steinbrenner said the Yankees planned to discuss yesterday whether to ask for a meeting with Alex Rodriguez, who has until the 10th day after the World Series to decide whether to terminate the final three seasons of his record $252 million, 10-year contract and become a free agent.

LA RUSSA TO RETURN FOR 13TH SEASON WITH CARDINALS

Tony La Russa tended to his many pets on the West Coast for a week or so, and made up his mind: He wanted to keep managing.

Now, he’s hoping the St. Louis Cardinals can make an equally quick decision on hiring a general manager.

La Russa agreed yesterday to a two-year contract to stay in St. Louis, confident that the Cardinals can still be contenders. Whether he ever works out his rift with Scott Rolen, that remains to be seen.

“You’ve got to be honest, he’s probably the one guy who has issues with me,” La Russa said. “You hope he’s healthy, understand we have issues, and don’t let it get in the way.”

ROCKIES SUSPEND TICKET SALES AFTER COMPUTER CRASH

The Colorado Rockies suspended World Series ticket sales yesterday after overwhelming demand crashed their computer system.

“Right now we’re shutting the system down,” club spokesman Jay Alves announced outside Coors Field, drawing boos from fans. “We expect to be online at some point.”

“We’re as frustrated and disappointed as they are,” Alves said.

Alves had said last week that the Rockies were prepared for any computer problems.

FOOTBALL

TORN ACL SIDELINES DOLPHINS’ BROWN FOR REST OF SEASON

Things go from bad to worse for the Miami Dolphins, who lost running back Ronnie Brown for the rest of the season because of a knee injury. Brown will need surgery to repair a torn ACL, coach Cam Cameron said yesterday. He twisted his right knee in the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 49-28 loss to the Patriots on Sunday.

“His spirits are up,” Cameron said. “He’s already talking about getting the surgery and getting ready to get back and get it rehabbed and be ready for spring.” Brown has been one of the few bright spots in Miami’s bleak season. Coming into Sunday’s game, he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and had reached the 100-yard rushing mark for four consecutive games.