Blotter

Duped
?TV crews that showed up to cover a fallacious New York City April Fools' Day parade at which John Rocker was to have been on a float spewing racial epithets.

Inserted
?A titanium device, between two of 26-year-old Seattle Slew's vertebrae, in a procedure that veterinarians hope will alleviate compression on the spinal cord of the 1977 Triple Crown winner.

Unimpressed
?The family of Joe DiMaggio, which is resisting San Francisco's plans to name a playground after the Yankee Clipper, saying a bridge or an airport would be a more appropriate honor for the native son.

Barred
? Mike Ditka, from entering Harrah's casino in New Orleans, after allegedly throwing a cigar at a pit boss and swearing at the man who made a ruling that reportedly cost the former Saints coach thousands during a craps game several weeks ago.

United
?Collin Peterson, a pro-hunting, pro-trapping, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-opposing Minnesota congressman, and the Humane Society, in a fight to ban interstate transport of birds for cockfighting.