Inside THE WEEK IN SPORTS

BASEBALL
Dodgers' Sheffield turns from talk to play
Managers on shaky ground
Mets get back virtuoso Ventura

THE NBA
Courageous Pierce propelling Celtics
Basketball Without Borders
Nets' top-dollar disabled list

THE NHL
Senator rookie Havlat: big upside
Surprise! Kings in playoffs
Who would want to coach Islanders?

COLOR PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPH BY DARREN CARROLL Split second Rangers shortstop--and former Mariner--Alex Rodriguez slides in safely on a steal while his Seattle successor, Carlos Guillen, awaits the ball's arrival.