Pirates ‘Buc’ Odds With Run At N.L. Central Crown

The low-budget Pittsburgh Pirates were compared with the Mets when the season began - Casey Stengel’s 120-loss Mets of 1962.

Now, after another miraculous finish in a highly illogical season, the high-drama Pirates again have the look of the Mets - the Miracle Mets of 1969.

“Everything is like out of a movie - I mean ‘Angels of the Outfield’ or something,” outfielder Al Martin said of the improbable Pirates’ latest comeback. “Every time we win one of these, you say, ‘Are you kidding me?”’

Held to one unearned run in 15 innings and down to their final two outs, the Pirates rallied on successive homers by Joe Randa and Mark Smith off Todd Worrell to beat the Dodgers 4-3 Monday and split their doubleheader.

The victory kept the Pirates three games behind the Houston Astros in the N.L. Central, where they remained after Pittsburgh and Houston lost Tuesday night. The two teams play five times in the final week of the season.

“It was another storybook finish in a storybook season,” Randa said. “I think we’re all running out of words to describe what’s happening to us this season.”

Not that they didn’t try.

“Unbelievable,” Martin said.

“Awesome,” catcher Jason Kendall said.

The Pirates’ unexpected run at a division title in a season they were forecast to lose 100 games would seem to be dramatic enough. They gutted their roster, trading away all but one player making as much as $1 million, while replacing seven of nine starters from their opening-day lineup. Manager Jim Leyland left for Florida for the opportunity to manage a winner.

Now, the Pirates are wondering if they are destiny’s darlings.

“You watch things happening and you wonder, ‘Could this be one of those years?”’ infielder Dale Sveum said.

Realignment maneuverings

Baseball owners are considering dropping the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox from their radical realignment plan in an effort to swing votes and gain approval.

The Mets and the Chicago Cubs have opposed the geographic realignment, arguing their attendance and television ratings would be hurt if they were in the same league as their crosstown rivals.

Under the new scenario being discussed, the Mets would become the only N.L. team in the Eastern time zone and the White Sox would play in the A.L. South-Midwest.

Still, there is considerable opposition in the N.L. to radical realignment. For the plan to be approved, acting commissioner Bud Selig will have to gain the approval of Atlanta, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, who are threatening to use their veto power.

Valenzuela not giving up

Fernando Valenzuela wants to continue his major league career.

Valenzuela’s agent, Tony DeMarco, said that while the left-hander is done for this season, “retirement is not in the picture.”

Valenzuela was unavailable for comment.

Valenzuela, the 1981 N.L. Cy Young Award winner and Rookie of the Year while with Los Angeles, claims to be 36, but many believe he is older.

Valenzuela had been with the San Diego Padres since 1995, but was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 13 after going 2-8 with a 4.75 ERA. His command worsened as he went 0-4 with a 5.56 ERA in five starts for the Cardinals, who released him July 15.