World Series miscellany:
Jeff Torborg, the former White Sox manager now a network broadcaster, is believed to be a leading candidate for the Boston managerial assignment. If he takes it, it will be a big mistake. The Boston press will eat him for breakfast. Torborg is warm and cozy in his current assignment as a television analyst–which is what his wife has been telling him.
Quick interview: Before Tuesday night’s Game 3, a reporter asked Atlanta third-base coach Jimy Williams:
“Jimy, what’s the chances of an Atlanta sweep”?
“Nice talking to you,” Jimy replied as he hurried away.
Joe Girardi, the Yankee catcher, doesn’t think a sweep is likely.
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole but we’ve won on the road in the playoffs (5-0) and I don’t see why we can’t do it again,” he said.
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There has been talk, presumably ill-informed, that if the Yankees don’t win the Series, owner George Steinbrenner will dismiss General Manager Bob Watson. It seems preposterous, but you never know.
Anyway, Watson doesn’t appear concerned:
“All I know is we’re in a place (the World Series) we haven’t been in 15 years,” Watson said.
He hit a home run in his first at-bat in that Series, against the Dodgers, and also made the final out on a long fly ball to center field. He had a long and glorious playing career, during which he was deemed in 1975 to have scored baseball’s 1 millionth run.
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Acting commissioner Bud Selig made a pregame press-box appearance and said he would be attending the labor negotiations, which, according to reports, will resume here Wednesday. It’s doubtful an agreement is close. The owners are still holding out for a better deal. If there is no deal by Nov. 15, there will not be interleague play in 1997.
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It will be Denny Neagle for the Braves against Kenny Rogers for the Yankees in Game 4 Wednesday night. It will be the first Series appearance for both.
During a pregame press briefing, Neagle was asked, “What are the attributes of being a goofy left-hander and how would you describe yourself?”
The reply:
“I guess you have to be a little goofy, but apart from that, every left-hander has his own ways. Jerry Reuss played practical jokes. My thing is I make a lot of goofy noises and movie roles to keep the guys loose.”
Neagle acknowledged he has only seen Rogers pitch on television but is aware they have similar styles. “We don’t overpower or blow anybody away,” Neagle said. “We’re typical left-handers. We move the ball in and out and use all our pitches. And we have to have good location.”
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As soon as the Series ends, Yankees batting coach Chris Chambliss will be interviewed for the Philadelphia managing job left vacant by Jim Fregosi’s dismissal.
There are at least six other candidates, all of whom have met with Phillies chief Bill Giles and GM Lee Thomas. It’s an imposing list: Phil Regan, Larry Bowa, Terry Francona, Hal McRae and Bucky Dent. Wouldn’t surprise me if Chambliss is the winner.
The Yankee players, almost across the board, give Chambliss the highest endorsement. Said one Yankee veteran who asked not to be identified: “Chris is ready. It should be his time.”