La Russa Has The Cardinals In Contention

When the Giants made their first trip to Busch Stadium in May, the Cardinals were sniping and struggling. It had been a rough transition to new manager Tony La Russa’s style, and the Ozzie Smith controversy didn’t help matters.

St. Louis was off to a 17-26 start and La Russa’s detractors were smiling. There were more chuckles when the Giants won the first two games of the present series, but the fact remains the Cardinals have adjusted well to La Russa - and vice versa.

The Cardinals entered the series with a 44-27 record since May 19 and a slim lead in the National League Central. It’s come together quickly for a rebuilt team with a new coaching staff and new players like Ron Gant, Royce Clayton, Dennis Eckersley, Andy Benes and Willie McGee.

“I just told the guys they had to get to know Tony, and that it takes time,” said Eckersley, who made the move from Oakland with his manager. “There were some doubters, but winning has made it a lot easier.”

McGee spent about six weeks with La Russa and the A’s in 1990, but it wasn’t enough to prepare him for what was in store when the Cardinals reported to spring training this year.

“Everything was in place when I joined the A’s late in 1990,” McGee recalled. “This spring was a whole new start for everybody, and there were a lot of rough edges. Winning games was the key. It gave the guys faith in what Tony was doing.

“It also helped that he had won before. Tony had a track record. Plus, he isn’t paid for us to love him. It’s a job, and he’s the most demanding manager I’ve ever played for. But he gets results. I enjoy playing for him.”

Negotiations nearer to completion

After a hectic 35-hour period in which the sides met 10 times, negotiators for baseball players and owners slowed the pace of their talks Sunday.

According to several sources, the sides were almost at agreement on the major issues, but still had to bridge small gaps in many areas.

Union head Donald Fehr and management negotiator Randy Levine met for about 45 minutes at midday, and the sides spent the afternoon caucusing.

Fehr and Levine were to meet one-on-one starting late Sunday night.

The sides were very close to agreeing to thresholds for a luxury tax. Teams over the threshold would pay the tax, discouraging large-revenue clubs from raising their payrolls far above the threshold.

It appeared the union would agree to use three-man panels in salary arbitration cases. The sides also weren’t far apart on the minimum salary, and owners said they would give players credit for service time during the strike if they got something in return.

Vaughn trade was common cents

The Milwaukee Brewers shook up their roster by trading American League RBI leader Greg Vaughn to the San Diego Padres last week, but club management wasn’t exactly broken up by the deal because it received three younger players in addition to a significant financial benefit to a small-market team.

The brass saved about $2 million this season by trading Vaughn and also avoided spending the $6 million it likely would have cost to have him back next year. The trade clearly signaled the team is getting its priorities in order.

Johnny Mac is back

In Boston, he’ll be best-remembered as the manager who failed to replace first baseman Bill Buckner for defensive purposes in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. John McNamara believed Buckner deserved to be on the field for his moment of glory. McNamara was replaced during the 1988 season.

However, Mike Greenwell and Roger Clemens, the lone Red Sox holdovers from that era, had nothing negative to say about Mac’s return to the managerial ranks with the California Angels for the first time since 1991.

“I think he made a big difference in my career,” Greenwell said. “He doesn’t give young guys anything. They have to earn it.”

Added Clemens, who enjoyed his finest seasons under McNamara: “I’m real happy for him. He’s interim, but if players respond under him and put on a little push out there, he might sneak in another year or two.”

Tigers snag Van Poppel

Todd Van Poppel joined the Detroit Tigers after being claimed off waivers from Oakland. Van Poppel was 1-5 with a 7.71 ERA in 28 appearances for the A’s, including 0-3 with a 10.00 ERA in three starts. But the Tigers, who obviously aren’t going anywhere, have nothing to lose by letting him pitch.

“We’re going to use him in the bullpen at first because he’s not stretched out,” manager Buddy Bell said. “Once we get him stretched out, we’ll put him in the rotation because that’ll give us a better chance to evaluate him.”

Pirates sign No. 1 pick

Kris Benson, college baseball’s top pitcher and the No. 1 starter on the U.S. Olympic team, became the highest-paid draft choice in major league history by signing Sunday with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Clemson right-hander needed only two days of face-to-face negotiations involving Pirates managing general partner Kevin McClatchy before agreeing to a signing bonus estimated to be around $1.8 million.