It is often said that competition is good. Then again, not all competitions bring out the best in people. Here's a look at 10 National League showdowns that could be played out in spring-training camps. More than a few of them could lead to some ugly scenes before the start of the regular season.

"I'm disgusted by the fact that our union even thought about appealing (the suspension)," Phillies staff ace Curt Schilling told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "My feeling on the situation is that the players association ... and the people who represent us obviously don't think about the fans' reactions to the things they say and do. Many of the guys I've talked to are disgusted we've appealed this."

If Rocker wins his arbitration case and is reinstated, he has an even bigger battle ahead with his teammates, opponents and fans. That's true regardless of what team he is on.

2. Rickey Henderson vs. the Mets
The Mets got rid of one clubhouse cancer when they released Bobby Bonilla this winter, but they still have Henderson, Bonilla's postseason card-playing partner.

It didn't take long for Henderson to become a disruptive force. After his day-late arrival to camp, he demanded to know what his role will be this season and wondered aloud why he is being underpaid at $2 million this season. Henderson could be a daily headache for the Mets, who would probably be better off using either Benny Agbayani or Melvin Mora in left field.

3. Bobby Valentine vs. Fred Wilpon
The Mets' manager has made it clear he's unhappy with his lameduck status after owner Wilpon refused to give him a contract extension over the winter. Whatever the reason for Wilpon's contract denial, it's a lousy way for any manager to go into a season, especially one who took his team within two victories of the World Series.

"They (Met ownership) set expectations," Valentine said. "When they're met or not, you're either rewarded or reprimanded. Steve (GM Phillips) has met the expectations. And I have met expectations. But now they say, 'We're going to have a change of policy.' "

One rumor making the rounds is that Wilpon wants to fire Valentine, but can't do it after what happened last season. Another theory is that Wilpon wants to make pitching coach Dave Wallace the manager and make Sandy Koufax the pitching coach.

4. Playing time in the Reds' outfield
Ken Griffey Jr. isn't the only marquee name to move into Cincinnati this winter. At this point, it appears as if Dante Bichette and Dmitri Young will flank Griffey in the outfield. That means Junior will have to cover a great deal of ground.

The Reds also have a fascinating group of reserve outfielders, including Deion Sanders, who reappears after a two-year hiatus during which he concentrated on that other sport he plays. Michael Tucker was a solid extra man for the Reds last season and they also added Alex Ochoa, the one-time phenom who performed well in a reserve role for the Brewers last season. One of those three reserves could land in the starting lineup if the Reds deal Young for a much-needed starting pitcher.

5. Dwight Gooden vs. the Astros' other fifth starter candidates
In his on-going quest to extend his career, Gooden was invited to the Astros' camp as a non-roster player. He had a 6.26 ERA in 26 games with the Indians last season, but he is just two years removed from an 8-6 record with a 3.76 ERA. This is Gooden's first time back in the National League since his substance-abuse suspension with the Mets in late June of 1994.

6. Don Baylor vs. Sammy Sosa
With the permission of Cubs GM Ed Lynch, Sosa will make a belated arrival to camp this weekend. New manager Don Baylor isn't as tolerant of Slammin' Sammy's tardiness.

"I imagine a lot of those guys in the clubhouse probably care," Baylor said. "They're in here working and you don't want to put one guy before the team. That's not going to happen."

Baylor later made a second reference about the importance of team unity, then made it clear he intends to work Sosa hard when he arrives.

"I know one thing for sure: This team lost 95 games last year and we have to change that," the manager said. "We have to work as a team -- that's the bottom line. Sometimes you have to stay after school. There are probably going to be a few longer days for him."

The manager is sending a clear and worthwhile message: Sammy's talents cannot overshadow the team for a third straighht season.

7. J.D. Drew vs. Brian McRae
Manager Tony La Russa has apparently told McRae that he's the Cardinals' only true center fielder. It's pretty clear that the Cardinals want Drew to feel as if he's being pushed after the kid's disappointing rookie season.

On the other hand, McRae isn't exactly coming off a Hall of Fame season during which he played for three different teams.

8. Mets bullpen lefties
In an era when left-handed pitchers are more difficult to find than blind dates with multi-millionaires, the Mets have a half dozen in their camp with significant major-league experience. The list: Bobby M. Jones, Jesse Orosco, Dennis Cook, John Franco, Bill Pulsipher and Rich Rodriguez.

GM Steve Phillips will likely use one or more of those lefties to obtain help in another area before the end of spring training.

9. Milton Bradley vs. Peter Bergeron
This sounds like a lawsuit between a board game and an NHL winger, but, in truth, it's a battle between rookies for the center-field job in Montreal. The job opened when manager Felipe Alou decided to move Rondell White to left field. Bradley and Bergeron are similar-type players who have hit for high average and have stolen bases in the minor leagues.

10. Andres Galarraga vs. Wally Joyner
The job belongs to Galarraga as long as the Braves' first baseman can prove he is ready to return from his victorious bout with cancer. Everybody in baseball is pulling for the Big Cat, but the Braves also landed themselves a fine insurance policy in Joyner, who broke a bone in his right foot during batting practice Wednesday. The injury is expected to keep Joyner out for possibly up to six weeks, but he's hopeful of being ready for the April 3 opener.