Once Again, It’s The ‘World According To Marge’

The National League declined to say Friday whether Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott, serving a 2-1/2-year punishment for interview remarks, will be disciplined for giving interviews again.

Schott spoke with Denver radio station KOA during her visit Wednesday to that city’s Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. She also gave separate interviews to two Ohio newspapers, The Cincinnati Enquirer and the Dayton Daily News.

Schott agreed on June 12 to give up day-to-day control of the Reds through the end of the 1998 season, rather than be suspended. The deal with baseball forbids Schott to function as spokesman for the Reds, Major League Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney said in New York.

In her interview with KOA, Schott said the federal government ought to be more concerned about teen drug abuse than teen smoking.

“If I had a child, not that you want kids to smoke, I think rather than drugs I’d rather see them smoke,” she said. “We smoked a peace pipe with the Indians, right?”

In other Reds news, Cincinnati trimmed its minor-league affiliates to five by dropping its Princeton, W.Va., club.

The Reds’ other rookie-league club, in Billings, Mont., escaped the ax, and should become more competitive in the Pioneer League because more resources will be available, the Reds say.

Indians activate Franco; Martinez out

The Cleveland Indians activated first baseman Julio Franco and placed pitcher Dennis Martinez on the 15-day disabled list.

Franco has been sidelined since Aug. 4 with a pulled right hamstring, and has played only seven games since the All-Star break. Martinez is out again after suffering a recurrence of a strained tendon in his right elbow.

McNamara to stay home for now

California Angels interim manager John McNamara, who was hospitalized Aug. 21 with a blood clot in his right calf, will not rejoin the team for at least another week, general manager Bill Bavasi said.

Bavasi said he expects McNamara to rejoin the club Sept. 7 at Minnesota.

Angels coach Joe Maddon will continue to serve as interim manager until McNamara’s return.

Tigers extend Bell’s contract through ‘98

The Detroit Tigers gave manager Buddy Bell a vote of confidence by extending his contract through the 1998 season.

Bell originally signed a two-year contract last November with a club option for a third year. The club picked up that option.

Pirates trade Hayes to Yankees

The New York Yankees, looking for a right-handed hitter off the bench for the September stretch drive, acquired third baseman Charlie Hayes from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In other Pirates transactions, the Atlanta Braves completed the Denny Neagle trade by sending right-hander Jason Schmidt to Pittsburgh.

N.L. president Coleman fines Sheffield

Florida Marlins outfielder Gary Sheffield was fined $250 by National League president Len Coleman for arguing a ball-and-strike call and using abusive language toward umpires against St. Louis on Aug. 16.

Jefferies unhappy with Zeile’s trade

Philadelphia left fielder Gregg Jefferies criticized the Phillies for trading his best friend, Todd Zeile, to the Baltimore Orioles. President Bill Giles had said in July that the team would be looking to sign two or three free agents.

“Now they’re going to have to get three or four to make up for Zeile,” Jefferies said.