Hargrove Reaches Out To Buddy

Detroit Tigers manager Buddy Bell was miffed at his buddy, Mike Hargrove, for pulling off a squeeze play to build on a big lead.

All is forgiven after the managers talked on the phone into the early morning hours after the game.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over with,” said Bell, who worked for Hargrove as a Cleveland Indians bench coach from 1994-95. “Grover is not that kind of manager. He showed class by talking about it.”

Here’s the situation: The Indians were in the midst of a five-run inning that clinched a 9-1 win over Detroit in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. It was a whirlwind rally that included a throwing error by right fielder Bobby Higginson that cost the Tigers a run.

In the heat of the moment, Hargrove lost track of a run. He thought the Indians were leading 5-1 and wanted to head into the ninth up by five.

So with Brian Giles at third base and talented bunter Omar Vizquel at the plate, Hargrove put on a squeeze that worked. Then he looked at the scoreboard.

“I saw it was 7-1,” Hargrove said. “And I said, ‘Oops. This isn’t good.”’

After the game, Bell lashed out at his friend and former boss for running up the score.

“All I know is I didn’t see it for two years when I was (in Cleveland),” Bell said. “I saw it a couple of times in the College World Series, though. Let’s put it this way: You just don’t do it.”

Hargrove called Bell and explained the mixup. The two skippers talked until about 1:30 a.m.

“Everything is put to bed,” said Hargrove, one of baseball’s most mild-mannered managers. “The big thing is, Buddy and the people who know us - and know me - know we don’t play the game that way.”

One matter was not resolved. Bell accused the Indians of faking an injury to pitcher Albie Lopez, who was placed on the disabled list between games of the doubleheader after pitching in the first game. Orel Hershiser was activated to pitch game two.

“That’s really none of Buddy’s business,” Hargrove said. “Albie’s injured. We put him on the D.L. It happens.”

Orioles don’t need Murray

Eddie Murray’s release by the Anaheim Angels this week had one of his former manager’s thinking about what he could do with a 41-year-old designated hitter.

Orioles manager Davey Johnson said the club would not invite Murray back because Baltimore filled a void by acquiring Geronimo Berroa and Harold Baines last month.

“Maybe we could use him as a player-coach or something,” Johnson said with a grin.

O’Malley to stay on

Peter O’Malley says he will remain as president of the Los Angeles Dodgers if Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Group buys the team.

“Fox has asked me to stay on and I appreciate that they have,” O’Malley said. “If my staying on would make that transition smooth, I’m committed to that, so I would.”

The $350 million sale of the Dodgers to Fox, a division of News Corp., is awaiting a firm deal and approval from baseball owners.