Phoenix, Tampa Bay Await Expansion Vote

Phoenix and Tampa Bay baseball fans hope their wishes come true today, when owners vote on awarding expansion teams to those two cities.

Jerry Colangelo, head of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Vincent Naimoli, head of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, spent much of Wednesday in Palm Beach, Fla., meeting with expansion committee officials, who made the recommendation Tuesday night. The teams would start play in 1998.

Expansion committee chairman John Harrington confirmed the two recommended sites. A three-quarters vote from each league is required for approval.

Baseball officials said it was unlikely the expansion teams, expected to cost $140 million each, would be assigned to leagues today but Harrington said it was possible.

Two groups from northern Virginia and one from Orlando, Fla., also have bid for the franchises, which would become the 29th and 30th in the major leagues.

According to Harrington, the recommendation also says owners will add two more teams no earlier than 2000. Northern Virginia became the front-runner.

Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was the only owner to publicly speak out against expansion. She wanted all the focus on solving the strike.

“I just don’t feel we should be talking about expansion at a time like this,” she said. “We just have such tremendous problems.”

Clubhouse clout

The Cleveland Indians announced a major-league roster of 39 replacement players.

The team, in a symbolic move during the players’ strike, moved the replacement players into the majorleague clubhouse at spring training camp in Winter Haven, Fla.

The roster includes 17 pitchers, four catchers, 10 infielders and eight outfielders. They had been dressing in the minor-league clubhouse until Wednesday.

The move to the major-league clubhouse signified the club’s determination to proceed with replacement players when the regular season begins next month.

Indians manager Mike Hargrove said the team had delayed making the move, hoping for a settlement of the walkout.

“It’s fairly obvious we did that,” he said. “When the last round of talks broke down, we realized that using replacement players was a real possibility. Up to that point, we thought a deal could get done. But now, on a scale of one to 10, I’d have to say the likelihood of starting the season with replacement players is about an eight.”

Nomo impresses Lasorda

Japanese pitching star Hideo Nomo, who signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last month, threw on the sideline with manager Tom Lasorda looking on at Vero Beach, Fla.

“He threw hard, considering it was the first time he was cutting loose,” Lasorda said after watching Nomo personally for the first time. “I was impressed with his mechanics and his velocity. He said his arm feels fine. I think the guy can help the Dodgers.”

There has been speculation Nomo has a problem with his shoulder, which he denied during a press conference Tuesday. Dodgers club physician Dr. Frank Jobe has said Nomo merely needs to strengthen his shoulder muscles. General manager Fred Claire has told Nomo to take all the time he needs to prepare himself for the 1995 season.

All-Stars? You bet

With or without the Baltimore Orioles, there will be an All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington this summer.

National League president Len Coleman said a memo has been sent assuring clubs there will be an AllStar Game, whether teams are made up of replacement players or regulars. The game is scheduled for July 11.

Keep out of Camden Yards

A bill that would ban replacement players from Oriole Park at Camden Yards was signed by Mayor Kurt Schmoke of Baltimore.

The measure was sponsored by Councilman Joseph DiBlasi, who said he wanted to make sure Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streak wasn’t interrupted. Ripken is 122 games shy of breaking Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played. The Orioles shortstop has played in 2,009 straight.

The measure would fine major league baseball $1,000 for each game played at Camden Yards with replacement players.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos has said he won’t use replacement players when the season starts April 3.