Back when free agency was in its infancy, which must seem like a lifetime ago to most owners, it was speculated that Robin Yount would become baseball's first $10 million man.

For his career.

Now, 15 years later, the pundits are trying to zero in on the player who will earn that much in one season.

After much not-too-scientific calculation, the early favorite to be the first eight-figure man is Ken Griffey. If you want to pinpoint the year, try 1997, provided that television networks don't bankrupt themselves with billion-dollar commitments before then.

That would be the third year after Griffey becomes eligible for free agency for the first time. Already acclaimed by many as the biggest impact player in the game, the Seattle center fielder will be only 25 after the 1994 season, when he logs his sixth season in the big leagues.

To get an idea how far baseball has progressed in the 15 years since free agency reared its dollar signs after the 1976 season, consider the first marquee player to test the system.

Reggie Jackson asked the Baltimore Orioles for $1.5 million for five years in 1976 and was turned down. The $2.9 million he

enticed from the Yankees became the standard by which all subsequent contracts were judged.

Yount was 20 at the time, with three years' experience as a major-league shortstop. He had a chance of being a free agent three times in the prime of his career. To some, it was mind-boggling to suggest he might make $10 million during the next 15 years.

Now compare Yount to Griffey. With arbitration as an ally, Griffey will make at least that much in the next three years -- and then be able to test the open market three or four years before what is normally considered an athlete's prime.

Prediction: Griffey will make $10 million a year before he is 30.

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While on the subject: For those who are wondering why the Orioles aren't knocking down the Oriole Park at Camden Yards warehouse to extend Cal Ripken's contract -- read the above.

Ripken is destined to become baseball's highest-paid player, at least for a while, with his next contract. And while his representative, Ron Shapiro, isn't against negotiating now, neither is he in a hurry.

When Bobby Bonilla signed a $29 million, five-year contract with the Mets, he restructured the market. Until then, a $30 million deal for Ripken didn't seem unreasonable on either side.

But that changed in a hurry. Bonilla was the head of this year's free-agent class and is an impact player, but he might have trouble ranking in baseball's top 20. Ripken has often stated his allegiance to Baltimore and the Orioles -- but his overriding desire is to win.

Ripken signed his last contract in 1988, four months after his father had been fired as manager and during the height of collusion. He was assured the club was committed to rebuilding a contender.

That will be as big a factor as money in the next negotiation as well. But it is wrong to assume the Orioles can undercut the market with an early offer just because their signature player would prefer to stay at home.

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Some late shopping ideas: It isn't likely that the Orioles will be active with any of the unsigned free agents, but there are a few who might be classified as after-Christmas bargains.

Left-handed pitchers Bill Krueger (Seattle) and Dennis Rasmussen and Atlee Hammaker (San Diego), might fit into some starting rotations. Right-hander Terry Leach (Minnesota) is experienced long reliever.

Catcher Mark Salas (Detroit) should be able to find a home somewhere. And outfielder Herm Winningham (Cincinnati) is a sleeper candidate for a team looking for an outfielder who could

hit leadoff.

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Look what they found: The last thing the St. Louis Cardinals expected after they traded for first baseman Andres Galarraga (Montreal) was for Pedro Guerrero to accept arbitration.

Now the Cardinals have a 35-year-old left fielder who was moved to first base because his creaky knees wouldn't hold up on artificial turf. Guerrero would make a natural DH candidate, but apparently isn't very attractive trade bait. He accepted arbitration after being underwhelmed on the free-agent market.

But, will the name fit? The new Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and its predecessor, Memorial Stadium, are commanding unprecedented national attention. Not since Wrigley Field introduced lights in 1988 has a stadium gotten more recognition than the performers.

The final weekend of the 1991 season resulted in two of the

biggest sports stocking-stuffers in the region during the Christmas holidays. The one-hour video of the closing festivities and the book, "House Of Magic," with an eight-page final-weekend supplement to the history of Memorial Stadium, have both been hot items.

With little advertising, the video is nearing 15,000 in sales and the book, originally published in April, has exceeded that total.

Now, before a turnstile has been clicked, comes a commemorative coin featuring an artist's rendering of the new park on the front and an aerial view of the last game at Memorial Stadium on the back. Coin No. 1 goes to the Maryland Stadium Authority for display purposes. A total of 48,000 coins, each numbered, will be minted, with 43,000 scheduled for sale ($34.95 each) to the public. It's available only by calling (800) 933-2669.

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And, in Boog's corner: Bet the Stadium Doctor, who's big on the gourmet side of baseball, is happy to know that Boog Powell will have some concession input at the new yard.

It seems the ex-Orioles first baseman, purveyor of goodwill for his favorite low-cal beverage, is a barbecue buff. His large frame occupies the cover of a barbecue cookbook that no doubt has a lot of zest.

Not all of the recipes are Boog's, but rumor has it he has sampled them all. His personal favorites will be available at OPACY.

ARA, the stadium concessionaire, will offer the delicacies at "Boog's Corner." No doubt the chef will drop in from time to time for a well-turned rib or six.

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Impertinent questions: The Boston Red Sox have determined that Frank Viola is healthy -- but can he still pitch?

Will the Mets ever be attracted to players who can catch and throw the ball? (It's too late to count Willie Randolph).

Do the Orioles have any interest in Juan Samuel, the Dodgers' second baseman-outfielder who has traded free agency for arbitration?

Aren't both league presidents, Bobby Brown of the AL and Bill White of the NL, planning to retire at the end of their terms? If so, doesn't that leave baseball's not-so-stable hierarchy on even shakier ground?

Wouldn't it be a strange coincidence if Eddie Murray is the first one to hit the warehouse when the Orioles play the Mets in an exhibition April 3?

Won't the Orioles have more tickets sold (2 million) before their first game at Oriole Park than they did in all but six of their 38 seasons at Memorial Stadium? If so, will they cut off season ticket sales to protect individual game buyers?

Is it good or bad that Ben McDonald is no better than the Orioles' No. 3 starter at the moment?

Who's the Opening Day pitcher?

Who throws out the first ball?

Just asking.