The big one finally hit in Southern California

Sporting News, The, Jan 29, 1996 by Bob Nightengale

Lord knows we've survived plenty of work stoppages. We grew to accept the advent of night games - even at Wrigley Field. We approved the lowering of the mound. We welcomed the D.H. We tolerated artificial turf. We lived with free agency. We embraced expansion. We even learned that the wild-card concept wasn't so bad, after all.

Now, we've been told there will be interleague play in 1997.

Sure, we agree along with the players that it's kind of silly for baseball owners to work themselves into such a frenzy for interleague play given that there still is no Basic Agreement. Considering there have been no talks and rumors of an impasse next winter are beginning to surface, couldn't all that time spent on interleague play have been better used to come up with a settlemen?

Yet, while the winter meetings produced nothing more constructive for individual teams than accruing frequent-flier miles, the interleague announcement truly made the meetings historic.

It's a concept that has been around for the past 75 years, was seriously broached in 1973, and it will become part of baseball in 1997. Will it ruin the game? No. Will the game be flawed with the designated hitter being used in American League ballparks and not the National League? Yes.

We will survive, though. Tradition is taking an uppercut to the chin, but if we clung to tradition in everyday life, then minorities would not have today's increased rights and privileges. Women would be prohibited from the workplace.

It's time to move on.

Although it was the only big news out of the meetings, interleague play wasn't the only behind-the-scenes action. Here's a recap:

Hottest conversation topic: The Giants'signing of Cuban pitcher Osvaldo Fernandez to a three-year, $3.6-million contract. The mood ranged from laughter to disbelief, and the common belief was that the Giants are out of their minds.

"You've got to be kidding me," one general manager says. "What are they doing? We scouted the guy, and we don't know if he'll be any better than a middle reliever. I'm serious."

Braves G.M. John Schuerholz offered $5.5 million to Livan Hemandez, the other courted Cuba defector who went to the Marlins but had no interest in Fernandez. "The young pitcher (Hernandez) was highly regarded," Schuerholz says. "If all the reports are right, it's a good signing. The other, well, let's just say we thought he made a good deal for himself."

Best trade proposal: Joe Garagiola Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks. "We've been talking to everyone," he says. "I offered to trade player to be named later since that's all I have, but I haven't made any deals yet."

Hottest joke among G.M.s: "Hey, how come (Reds G.M.) Jim Bowden isn't here?

"He had to stay home to tune up his car."

Poor Bowden. He was the only G.M. missing from the meetings. Reds Owner Marge Schott prohibited him from coming to save expenses.

Bowden has been told he must drive to spring training.

Best question: Pat Gillick, who came out of semi-retirement to become G.M. of the Orioles, was asked if he would bave done the same if Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner had called.

"Well ... um ... I ... don't really think so," Gillick says. "I think tbat George has been in ibemafion long enough, and he was ready to come out. I think he's going to be a lot more involved than in recent years. In some ways that can be good, because George is a colorful guy. In other ways that's not so good. That can play havoc with some of his employees."

Worst-kept secret: The Diamondbacks will be in the National League West and the Tampa Bay Devilrays will be in the American League.

Worst time watching TV: Diamondbacks Owner Jerry Colangelo, who had fired Suns Coach Paul Westphal the previous day, watched in the sports bar as his NBA team was getting blasted by the Magic. Colangelo disgustedly walked out with two minutes remaining.

Worst news to end all rumors: Expos G.M. Jim Beattie, announcing lefthanded starter Jeff Fassero will open the season with the Expos.

Most poignant scene: Managers Marcel and Rene Lachemann, getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the old kitchen and bakery at the Biltmore Hotel, where their father once was a master clief.

Wildest idea: Disney President Michael Eisner, talking about having Gene Autry, 88, get up on a horse and fide out to the mound Opening Day. "We're very theatrical," he says.

Best quote: "The honeymoon is over." That's from Marlins G.M. Dave Dombrowski, talking about his fourth-year team and not his actual honeymoon, which ended when he arrived at the winter meetings.

The bare numbers

So you're wondering why baseball really wants to eliminate the D.H.? Take a look a the mean salary last season of the 10 D.H.s who played in 72 or more games: $3,458,573.

That's nearly a $1-million jump in pay since 1993.

The average mean salaries by position:

First base: $3.6 million.

Second base: $1.5 million.

Third base: $1.6 million.

Shortstop: $1.8 million.

Catcher: $1.3 million.

Outfielder: $2.0 million.

Starting pitcher: $1.9 million.

Relief pitcher: $590,000

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the salary survey is the discrepancy in average pay between American League and National League first basemen. A.L. first basemen last season had a mean salary of $4.1 million; the N.L.'s was $2.9 million.