Everybody daydreams about being somebody else: a famous actor or actress, an ace righthander for the Boston Red Sox, or a decorated undercover police officer.

Some eastern Maine sports personalities were asked if they could be an athlete, living or dead, who would they want to be?

Sharon Versyp, University of Maine women’s basketball coach: “The first person I think of is Michael Jordan. I just think that he’s been at the very top [of his sport] and continued to stay at the top. He left the game and came back and showed he is still the very best. He can do a lot of different things. He’s also a pretty straight-laced person and a great role model for everyone in every facet of life. He did his acting thing in the Bugs Bunny movie [Space Jam]. He’s a great human being. You never know what he’s going to do next. He’s a nice family man as well.”

Bill Green, reporter and host of “Bill Green’s Maine” on WCSH Portland and WLBZ-TV Bangor: “[Former Yale University and major league righthander] Ron Darling. He went to Yale, he was great and he was good-looking. I like the combination of athleticism and intelligence. That’s something I always strove for. But I failed on both counts.”

Kevin Jordan, baseball coach and assistant principal at Guilford’s Piscataquis Community High School: “[Former Boston Celtics great] John Havlicek. I loved his work ethic. I just loved the way he played the game. He was no-nonsense, unlike some of today’s players. He was the first real basketball player I watched a lot and really liked. He was a class act all the way.”

Brenda Beckwith, Winslow High School field hockey coach: “[Former Boston Red Sox slugger] Ted Williams. He is a classy guy. He wrote the classic book on America’s pastime [‘The Science of Hitting’]. That book is always brought up [in conversations about baseball]. He’s also a sportsman who lives a good, healthy lifestyle.

“For a woman, I would choose [former tennis great] Martina Navratilova. When I was a kid, she was the woman I looked up to. She had such strong, beautiful arms. She was muscular. She was very outspoken. I’ve always enjoyed the story about how she came to this country [from Czechoslovakia] and worked hard and did so many things. She was one of the first people to use the Cybex [weight training] machine. She would scream and be vocal [during matches].She has inspired a lot of us who are in our 40s now.”

Ed Marshall, Madawaska High School athletic director and girls basketball coach: “[Former Boston Celtics star] Larry Bird. To me, he epitomized all the work that is necessary to put in to reach the pinnacle. Perhaps his skill didn’t warrant it, but his desire did. He reached the top. In my mind, he was the ultimate team player. He certainly could carry a team and he made everyone around him a better player. Because of his work ethic, he forced everyone to work as hard as he did.”

Sweeney seeks spot with Brewers

Former University of Maine baseball All-American Mark Sweeney had a forgettable 2000 season with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Although injuries played a major role in his season, in which he hit only .219, he intends to make amends for it.

He recently signed a minor league contract with the Brewers but will report to their major league training camp next month.

“My main objective was getting healthy,” said Sweeney. “I really found out what I couldn’t do when I wasn’t healthy last year. I learned a lot.”

Sweeney was coming off shoulder surgery and couldn’t throw from the outfield and he also tore a hamstring tendon near the end of spring training. He wasn’t able to work out and maintain his strength during the season due to the two injuries.

“People don’t understand that strength is a big part of this game,” said Sweeney, who could only pinch-hit and play first base.

“It really strapped [Brewer manager] Davey Lopes because it was like having 241/2 players. I was really limited in what I could do,” said Sweeney. “Obviously, I didn’t get the job done to my standards and other people’s standards, so I have a lot to prove this year.”

“It’s exciting. My offseason workouts have been great,” added Sweeney.

He has been throwing for three weeks and he said his left shoulder feels good. He is throwing 90-100 feet.

“But it feels normal. I threw at the end of last year but it didn’t feel as normal as it does now,” added the 31-year-old Holliston, Mass., native.

He was released by the Brewers after last season but Sweeney said Lopes told him he would love to have him back.

Several teams expressed interest in him but Sweeney said he appreciated Lopes’ honesty said he has a great deal of respect for him.

So he decided to return to the Brewers. He doesn’t have a guaranteed spot, but he says that’s all right.

“I want to prove to Davey he didn’t make a mistake bringing me over here last year,” said Sweeney.

“If I play the way I can and can show him I’m healthy, I know there’s a spot on the team for me,” said Sweeney, who has a career batting average of .260 and has earned a reputation as one of the premier pinch hitters in the game.

But he says he still yearns for the opportunity to play regularly in the big leagues and that is a strong motivating force for him.

“I’d like to make a defensive play to help the team win,” said Sweeney.