Manager Jim Lefebvre on Andre Dawson:
”All we hear about is that he`s getting old and has sore knees. People talk about him like he`s going to fall apart. But tell me who`s a better right fielder? And when Andre`s hot, there isn`t a batter hitter in the league.”
Asked if this could be considered an endorsement for the Cub management to re-sign Dawson, who will be a free agent at the end of ths season, LeFebvre said:
”That`s not my department. But Andre is one of the most dedicated players I`ve ever seen.”
LeFebvre refused to say whether or not shortstop Shawon Dunston will be switched to the outfield next season.
”I don`t want to get into that,” said the Cub pilot. ”But it was Dunston who first mentioned it. It was his idea. I look at it this way: Shawon is an outstanding athlete and the one thing a manager wants to do is put his best athletes on the field.”
Catcher Joe Girardi met his No. 1 fan, 9-year old Jason Dreifuss, a Highland Park Little Leaguer. When the kid asked Girardi for some catching tips, Girardi told him: ”No. 1, is you can`t be afraid of the ball. No. 2, you have to like catching because it`s a lot of work, more work than any other position, and No. 3, get good grades in school.”
Hugh Alexander, the Cubs` super-scout, was here for Saturday`s game and brought word that if the Texas Rangers make any top-level changes, Dallas Green would be among the candidates for the general manager`s position. Green has been floundering about since he was set adrift by the Cubs several years ago.
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Broadcaster Ron Santo, who had a 15-year playing career, was busy during the pregame activities throwing posies at Lefebvre: ”The Cubs are going to end the season on a high note,” Santo predicted. ”And a lot of the credit has to go to Lefebvre. He`s done a great job keeping the club together.”
Trainer John Fierro, who was 36 Saturday, said that Rey Sanchez is on a day-to-day basis. An MRI showed a bulging disc in Sanchez`s lower back.
Sunday is Poster Day. The first 20,000 persons, age 14 and older, will receive a Greg Maddux-Ryne Sandberg poster.