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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Reds Manager Rips Replacement Ball

Associated Press

Spring training

Dave Johnson hasn’t even managed the Cincinnati Reds for most of spring training and he’s already seen enough of replacement ball.

“I have been kind of optimistic, believing that this would not be around too long,” Johnson said before Sunday’s 8-4 victory over Pittsburgh. “That’s why I haven’t put my two cents in. But it looks as is if this is the way it’s going to be. This may be what we have to put up with. What a travesty.”

Johnson has distanced himself from the replacement Reds since they started spring training 0-5. Since then, assistant manager Ray Knight has run the team, leading them to an 8-2 record.

“It doesn’t do any good to sell it for anymore than what it is,” Johnson told the Dayton Daily News and The Cincinnati Enquirer in Plant City, Fla.

“Normally, spring training is lively, vibrant, with a lot of energy. It’s not that these guys don’t have energy. They’re just not top-notch caliber… . I would call it Class A league - independent Class A.”

No negotiations took place Sunday. Players and owners may get together to negotiate on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“There’s been a lot of discussions, but nothing new,” mediator W.J. Usery said Sunday, two weeks before the scheduled start of the season.

Eugene Orza, the union’s No. 2 official, said it was possible negotiations would resume Tuesday or Wednesday. But Orza said nothing was definite.

“I haven’t heard from anybody all weekend,” management lawyer Chuck O’Connor said.

At Fort Myers, Fla., the Boston Red Sox management tried to convince minor leaguers to become strikebreakers during the regular season. General manager Dan Duquette offered them a position - not guaranteed - in the Red Sox system after the strike ends and $1,000 a month extra when they return to the minors.

“We wanted to make it clear to them that they are part of an organization,” Duquette said. “And once the strike was resolved, they would continue to be a part of that organization.

“It was kind of a nice presentation to give. You’re not releasing anybody. You’re offering them more money. One of the instructors at the minor-league camp said anybody who doesn’t accept this offer is too stupid to be on the team.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers previously promised any minor leaguer who played a spring training game a spot in their farm system this year.

Infielder recovers

Red Sox replacement infielder Bob Juday had his jaw wired together after he broke it in three places during a collision with Boston catcher Jeff Martin.

Juday and Martin collided in foul territory while pursuing a pop fly in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Martin tried to pull up, but his shin guard caught Juday across the left side of the face.

Ex-Zag stars for M’s

Former Gonzaga University standout John Tsoukalas homered and drove in four runs, and ex-Washington State slugger Terrel Hansen had three RBIs as Seattle defeated California 12-7 at Peoria, Ariz.

Seattle won despite making five errors that led to three unearned runs.

Gainer homers again

Former Spokane Indians first baseman Jay Gainer belted his third spring home run for Colorado and drove in a pair of runs as the Rockies beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 in a split-team exhibition at Tucson, Ariz.