Average salary tops $2.5 million

At $22 million this year, Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodri-guezmakes more money than any other baseball player. He makes more moneythan the entire Tampa Bay Devil Rays team, too.

Pity the poor Devil Rays. Their skimpy payroll is even smallerthan the gap between the top-spending New York Yankees and runner-upNew York Mets.

A study of 2003 baseball salaries by the Associated Press turnedup those and other eye-popping revelations, including:

*Baseball's average salary shot past $2.5 million for the firsttime on opening day this week.

*The Yankees spend nearly $150 million.

*The Mets are No. 2 at $116.9million.

*Los Angeles, Atlanta and Texas also topped $100 million.

*The Cubs are at No. 10 at $80.7 million, the White Sox No.22 at$51 million.

*The Devil Rays, in comparison, are practically living on skid rowwith a 25-man roster costing $19.6 million.

Rodriguez, the youngest player to hit 300 homers, leads allplayers in salary for the third straight year.

When it comes to teams, the Yankees are in a world of their own.

They've had the fattest payroll in the major leagues the last fourseasons--and it got even fatter after their first-round loss toAnaheim in the American League playoffs. That's when they wentshopping for more talent, landing Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui andCuban pitcher Jose Contreras.

"Regardless of who we signed or how much money we make, we have togo out and play," said the highest-paid Yankee of them all at$15.6million, shortstop Derek Jeter, out at least a month with aninjured shoulder. "Our goal is to win regardless of what our payrollis."

Behind Rodriguez on the highest-paid list were Toronto's CarlosDelgado ($18.7 million), Boston's Manny Ramirez ($17.2 million), theMets' Mo Vaughn ($17.2 million) and the Cubs' Sammy Sosa ($16.9million).

RIVERA IMPROVING: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera reported noproblems after throwing 30 pitches Thursday as he works his way backfrom a groin injury.

Rivera injured himself the final week of spring training andstarted the season on the disabled list. He is not expected backuntil late April. Rivera spent time on the disabled list last Junewith a groin strain in the same area.

FREE TICKETS FOR MILITARY: The Florida Marlins are allowingmilitary personnel and their dependents to attend games for free thisseason.

Eligible personnel must present their military ID at the boxoffice at Pro Player Stadium. Personnel may take advantage of theprogram as often as they wish this season.

"The best way to honor those people who serve our country andtheir families is to help provide an escape from reality," Marlinspresident David Samson said.

PHILLIES FEVER: A sellout crowd will greet Jim Thome, KevinMillwood, David Bell and the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies todayfor the final home opener at Veterans Stadium.

The game sold out Wednesday, another sign that Philly fans finallyhave regained interest in baseball. It's just the fifth sellout for ahome opener at the Vet--and the first since 1994, when the Philliescame off a World Series appearance.

"It shows the enthusiasm, but it's not just us," said Thome, whosehot start (7-for-11) has helped the Phils to a 2-1 start. "It's theguys who have been here too."

CONE RETURNS: Always a fan favorite at Shea Stadium, David Cone issure to draw a huge ovation when he walks to the mound tonight toface the Montreal Expos. But Cone, 40, knows how the Mets' crowdtreats him beyond that will depend more on his pitching repertoirethan past reputation.

"Receptions before the game are tremendous," Cone said, "butnobody wants to see an old pitcher struggle."