The rumble

Caroline Wozniacki, who attended the Knicks’ home game Wednesday vs. Cleveland, got a nice taste of the place before tomorrow’s showdown vs. Maria Sharapova and admits to some nerves.

“To be honest, I still can’t believe I’m gonna play in here,’’ said the 6-foot-1 Great Dane. “To be in the focus down there on the court will be unbelievable. Right now I’m sitting from the outside and I can just see so many people here, with everyone cheering loudly

and the atmosphere in here is just amazing. So I’m probably going to be a bit nervous going in here on the court, but it’s what you practice

for. It’s these kinds of events, this atmosphere you want to be out and playing.’’

Also featured in the event is a men’s match between the world’s third-ranked player, Roger Federer, against American Andy Roddick.

Wozniacki, the No. 1 ranked women’s players despite never having won a Grand Slam, is familiar with new Garden sensation Jeremy Lin.

“It’s unbelievable the story behind him,’’ she said. “He’s an unbelievable player and has done a lot of good things to the team as well as scoring a lot of [points] and just being so close to everyone is really a great experience.”

Linsanity can’t duck Fillmore

There’s no escaping Linsanity, even on the funny pages. The Rumble has learned Mallard Fillmore — the anthropomorphic duck who works as a politically conservative TV reporter in Washington, and who has an eponymous comic strip from King Features Syndicate which can be found in The Post — will tackle the Jeremy Lin phenomenon in a weeklong series of comic strips starting tomorrow. It tips off with artist Bruce Tinsley declaring that Lin, the Harvard grad, has better odds at becoming president than Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum or even President Obama. By the end of the week, the commentary shifts to Harvard and its Asian-student population. As Amar’e Stoudemire might say, “Stay tuned.’’

1st pitch by 1st Amazin’ winner

There will be two important first pitches Tuesday when the Mets play host to the Cardinals at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie. Johan Santana will take the mound for the first time this spring, but preceding that return, Jay Hook will throw the ceremonial first pitch to his 1962 teammate, Al Jackson. Hook won the first game in Mets history, a 9-1 victory over the Pirates 50 years ago on April 23. He threw a five-hitter and struck out two that day.

“It’s an honor I’m very proud of, to have the first win in Mets history,”

said Hook, now 75. “We lost our first nine games that year, and at times, I didn’t think we’d win any.”

That first season Hook went 8-19, and Jackson finished 8-20.

“I never was embarrassed about my record,” said Jackson, 76. “We didn’t win many games that year, but I thought our pitchers did the best we could. If Casey thought I was horrible he would have taken me out of the rotation.”

Boomer & Carton need some tips

Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton will bartend at the Hoops and Hops For A Cure event March 15 at Johnny Utah’s, home of Manhattan’s original mechanical bull. Anyone giving Boomer and Carton a $100 tip will receive an autographed football. The event also will include a raffle. Proceeds benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation and the cystic fibrosis community. The cost is $50 (includes open bar and appetizers provided by Johnny Utah’s). For tickets, visit 2012hoopsforhops.eventbrite.com.

‘Sign’ of times for champion G-men

To commemorate the Tuesday release of “Super Bowl XLVI Champions: New York Giants” on DVD, Blu-ray and, for the first time ever, digital download, Vivendi Entertainment will play host to several DVD-only signings for fans throughout the tri-state area, beginning with Jason Pierre-Paul at the East 14th Best Buy Midnight Event (tomorrow night from 11:59 p.m.-2 a.m.), followed by Mario Manningham at the West 42nd St. Modell’s (11 a.m.), Antrel Rolle at FYE (Trans World) at the Nassau Mall in Levittown, L.I. (2 p.m.) and Hakeem Nicks at the Walmart Secaucus (5 p.m.).