Three thoughts about Major League Baseball, just as spring training is getting started.

---One, the Baltimore Orioles are only slightly better, if that, than they were last year. Miguel Tejada is not going to be their savior, though I expect him to be decent. Kevin Millwood, if he stays healthy, will improve their starting pitching by throwing a ton of innings, but I'm not sure his record's going to be much better than .500.

I don't see much legitimate power on this roster -- a bunch of 15-homer guys, maybe -- and there's no closer in sight.

Basically, the only way the O's are going to make a jump in the American League East standings is if last year's young players, such as Matt Wieters, Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold, are even better than last year. And, of course, the pitching has to be much better.

I'm not holding my breath. The O's will be lucky to finish last in their division. I say "lucky" because at least the division is loaded with quality teams, which gives the Orioles an excuse that holds some water when they can't compete.

---Two, I'm starting this season will less empathy or generosity for Major League drug users and abusers than ever. Last week, I had to have a steroid injection in an area near my spine in an attempt to ease some painful nerve inflammation I've had for a couple of months.

This was a legitimate medical procedure -- no human growth hormones, no steroids to improve my power or stamina -- and based on my experience,

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I can tell you I will never accept from another professional player the excuse that he "didn't know what was being injected" or "didn't remember ever being injected."

That's baloney.

If one is having a needle full of something injected into his back, spine, neck, shoulder or wherever, he's going to know exactly what's being injected and where it's being injected. And once injected, it's not something anyone is going to forget anytime soon.

Oh, and by the way, I will not be eligible to play professional baseball this summer because the steroid I was given is on the Major League banned list. I know that why? you ask. Because, out of curiosity, I asked.

Wouldn't you expect a professional athlete to do as much? I would. I do.

---And three, the big league season has barely gotten underway, and there is already some concern being expressed about the number of black players on Major League rosters.

Big league officials have been talking about this for a few years now, but the problem is worsening.

American athletes -- black and white -- apparently have lost interest in baseball.

We see that right here in York -- the inner-city, particularly -- where black kids have more or less given up on baseball in favor of football and basketball.

What a shame.

In 1975, 27 percent of all MLB players were black. Today, black players make up a pitiful 9 percent of the 750 MLB players on 25-man rosters.

Three seasons ago, the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros had no black players on their rosters. Seven MLB teams had one black player. Another nine teams had two black players suited up.

That compares to Hispanic players (28 percent), Asian players (3 percent) and white players (about 60 percent and dropping). Last year, 28 percent of MLB players were foreign born, representing 15 countries, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.

I don't care one way or another the color of Major League Baseball players, or players at any level of baseball. Except for one thing, baseball is the best game ever invented. And I think it's a darned shame the finest black athletes in this community, or any community, don't give themselves a chance to be great at it.

Sports columns by Larry A. Hicks, Dispatch colum nist, run Thursdays. E- mail: lhicks@yorkdis patch.com.