Welcome, Blue Jays, to the middle of the pack

Sporting News, The, July 10, 1995 by Bob Nightengale

Nomomania?

You'd better believe it.

"I never thought I'd see anything like Fernandomania again in my life," Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrin says. "But it's coming. Believe me, it is coming.

"This is the closest thing I've seen to Fernandomania, and it's bringing back very sweet memories of 1981. Fernando was shutting everybody out that year, and Nomo is striking everybody out."

That $2-million signing bonus the Dodgers shelled out to Hideo Nomo? They have already made that up in ticket sales and memorabilia sales. Of course, it helps when you sell Nomo Dodgers jackets for $150, Nomo sweatshirts for $50, Nomo T-shirts for $25 and $18, Nomo baseballs for $15 and $10, Nomo pennants for $5 and Nomo pins for $3.

Broad shoulders

Cubs Manager Jim Riggleman has provided a refreshing approach to managing these days. Last week, he actually apologized to his team for a managerial move that went awry.

"I told (the pitching staff) that I managed with my heart instead of my head," Riggleman says. "I apologized. It won't happen again."

Riggleman left starter Jim Bullinger in the game to face Pirates pitcher Denny Neagle with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Bullinger, who had pitched only nine innings in his two previous starts, surrendered a grand slam.

Riggleman also apologized to reliever Chris Nabholz for leaving him in during a nine-run Astros eighth inning, one that took his ERA from 2.57 to 6.23. Riggleman thought the runs were unearned, but third baseman Todd Zeile was not charged with an error on a grounder that he bobbled.

"I've only been embarrassed for doing something to a player one other time," Riggleman says. "I took Tony Gwynn out of a 10-1 game when he had a homer, triple and single. I realized later that he had a chance to hit for the cycle. It's never been done by a Padre."

The moving van

Pirates Manager Jim Leyland and Athletics Manager Tony La Russa continue to say they're content to stay put, but associates close to each are convinced that Leyland will be managing the Cardinals in 1996 and La Russa will be with the White Sox. ... It's unfair to Padres General Manager Randy Smith, who has done a fabulous job in bringing the team back to respectability, but Frank Robinson will be the general manager in 1996. The only thing that can save Smith's job is a division title. Maybe. ... Don't be surprised if Phil Regan has a new job next season -- as general manager of the Orioles. Orioles Owner Peter Angelos wants to make front-office changes, and he believes Regan may be the perfect fit.

Worried in New York

The Mets thought the signing of free-agent center fielder Brett Butler would make them contenders. Instead, Butler is hitting in the .260 range, and the Mets believe he may be finished. "He's in with the rest of the guys in terms of being an enigma," Manager Dallas Green says. "Because of his age (38), you get worried to a point about a guy like Brett." Says Butler: "I'm a big reason why this team is struggling right now. I have to get on base and make things happen. And I haven't done that."