Cracks Form In Owners’ Strategy

Baseball’s plan to use replacement players showed signs of cracking Friday when the Baltimore Orioles said they wouldn’t play spring training games against strikebreakers, and Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson said he wouldn’t work with them.

On Day 2 of a very strange spring, several other managers and players also had second thoughts about participating in replacement ball.

“We’ve notified the commissioner’s office that we are prepared to play spring training games if we are assured the other teams will only use players with National Association contracts,” Orioles general manager Roland Hemond said, referring to the formal name of the minor leagues.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos has already said he will not play regularseason games with strikebreakers. Baltimore did not invite any replacement players to its training camp, and all of the 25 players who practiced Friday were members of the Orioles’ minor league system.

“Me and all our coaches and most people in baseball are traditionalists,” new Orioles manager Phil Regan said in Sarasota. “We love the game and don’t want to do anything to hurt the game. I think Mr. Angelos comes from that background. He wants to keep that tradition. I’m glad, and I feel proud that I’m on the side of a person who has taken that stand.”

Anderson abruptly took an involuntary leave of absence after balking at replacement ball. Detroit, where he’s managed since early 1979, wouldn’t guarantee that he’d get his job back when the strike ends.

“There ain’t no place in our game for replacement players,” he said.

The 60-year-old Anderson, fourth on the managerial career victory list, joined Toronto’s Cito Gaston on the sidelines. The Blue Jays told Gaston and his staff last month that they were excused from managing replacement ball.

“The one thing I have that will never leave me is integrity,” said Anderson, who was to be paid $1 million this season. “That is the one thing I have that money can’t buy.”

Owners still haven’t formally endorsed the concept of replacements, and the American League’s lawyer last month promised Angelos a vote, but one hasn’t been taken yet. Meanwhile, more teams opened camp, following the New York Yankees, the first club to open the season on Thursday.

Veterans Ken Oberkfell and Chuck Rainey, who had committed to becoming replacements, changed their minds Friday.

Oil Can Boyd, the replacement player with perhaps the most recognizable name, reported to the Chicago White Sox in Sarasota.

“I haven’t received any kind of harsh criticism from either side,” said Boyd, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 1991. “I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t expect to or anything like that. I’m willing to face this thing like you’re supposed to. But believe me, at the end of this when everybody suits up, I’m going north, too.”

Anderson, who has a career record of 2,134-1,750, is the only manager to win World Series titles in the American and National leagues. He’s also the only manager to lead teams to 100-victory seasons in both leagues. He appeared near tears a few times during a long, rambling talk with reporters.

“This is the hardest day I’ve ever had in my career,” he said. “I don’t get to walk across the street and put the uniform on. You have no idea how hard this is for me…”

Tom Runnells, manager of Detroit’s Toledo farm team, was appointed interim manager.

Selig faces backlash

Acting baseball commissioner Bud Selig had appeared to promise Congress that season ticket holders could get refunds and not lose their seats. Not so, according to at least two clubs.

Selig appeared to make the promise to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., during a hearing Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on antitrust, business rights and competition.

“Are all major league baseball clubs agreeable that fans who reject replacement players and replacement games will retain their season tickets and seating if and when the strike is ended and major league players return to the club’s rosters?” Leahy said.

“Yes sir,” Selig said.

The Cincinnati Reds were surprised by Selig’s answer. Reds owner Marge Schott attempted to contact Selig on Thursday for a clarification.

“Our feeling is that we should be able to set our prices and our own club policies,” Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden said.

Tom Renshaw of Lake Stevens, Wash., said the Seattle Mariners told him he would lose his seats if he gets a refund.

Little League flap

Major league officials, insisting nothing had changed in their policy, said they don’t profit from the money they receive from licensed goods sold to Little League teams.

The issue came to light Thursday in a story by Florida Today, which said Major League Baseball Properties, the licensing arm of the big leagues, was “cracking down on Little League teams and amateur adult leagues” by forcing them to buy only licensed goods with big league nicknames.

The commissioner’s office, besieged with calls, claimed major league teams aren’t profiting at the expense of the Little Leaguers.

Mariners sign catcher

The Mariners have signed a minor league player, but he’s won’t be a replacement player, the team said.

Catcher Don Wakamatsu, 31, who played one game at Oklahoma City in the American Association last season, signed a Triple-A contract, Mariners spokesman Dave Aust said in Peoria, Ariz.

Wakamatsu has played the last five seasons in Triple A. In 1991, he hit .226 in 18 games with the Chicago White Sox.

Mets have ex-Cougar

Washington State University graduate Doug Sisk is among the replacement players in camp with the New York Mets in St. Lucie, Fla.

Sisk, a right-handeder signed by the Mets out of college in 1980, has appeared in more than 300 games.

Former Mariners and Spokane Indians right-hander Bob Stoddard also is training with the Mets.