General Manager Larry Himes said his uncertain status hasn`t interfered with his job, which at this time of year entails coordinating scouting reports for off-season moves.
”I think it`s hard on the people around here,” Himes said. ”The things that are stated don`t make it any easier on the people who work here. But it doesn`t affect my job as general manager. I`m going forward as if my job was still the general manager.”
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Himes won`t say whether he believes Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf will dismiss him at the end of the season, and he doesn`t seem very interested in what other people think.
”I`ve read a lot of stories, but there isn`t much substance,” he said.
”It`s a speculative market. Everybody thinks they`re right.”
Scout switch: Scouts Eddie Brinkman and Larry Monroe have swapped jobs for the rest of the season. American League scout Brinkman is cross-checking Monroe`s recommendations for off-season trades and free-agent signings among National Leaguers, while Monroe is doing the same in the AL. They`ll report to Himes in organization meetings that begin Oct. 8.
By the numbers: The Sox came into Monday`s double-header tied for second with Seattle in the AL with a 3.57 earned-run average. That`s 66 points better than last year`s final ERA of 4.23, 11th in the league.
Psycho typo: Due to a typographical error, Steve Lyons` salary was listed at $1.75 million over two years in Monday`s editions. The correct figure is $1.17 million over two years.
Nipper returns: The Indians promoted ex-Cub Al Nipper from Triple-A Colorado Springs Monday. He went 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his first Cleveland stint, which ended in a July 17 demotion.