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.