European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 05, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 baseball �?T91 the stars and stripes Friday april 5, 1991 reds pushing for rare second straight Flag by Jim Donaghy a baseball writer while growing up in los Angeles Darryl Strawberry dreamed about playing for the lakers instead Darryl As a dodger and Tommy Lasorda is his favorite cheerleader. Lasorda has Strawberry and the dodgers believing they re the Best team in the no West. That Means los Angeles will probably finish first. Lasorda has always been a big Strawberry fan and he pushed hard for the dodgers to sign the Oft troubled Star. A there have been a lot of people who Are Happy that we got Strawberry a la Sorda said. A and then there Are some people who said a hey you can have him. You deserve  a but As Long As in be managed this Ball club and gotten players from other organizations 1 have never allowed a reputation to precede a player Ril be the judge of what kind of Guy Strawberry is. In a not going to have any worries about Strawberry believe  the rap on Strawberry in new York was that he never lived up to. His potential and did no to try All the time but in reality his numbers have Hall of Fame potential. A a a Strawberry has hit 25 Home runs or More in each of his eight major league seasons the longest Start of career Streak in big league history returning Home in the past however Hasni to exactly been a Strawberry festival. His lifetime average at dodger stadium is .225 with Only five homers in 178 at bats his lowest rate at any no  needs to be stroked and nor body is better at it than Lasorda when the dodgers first signed Strawberry last november he was pencilled in for Center Field. Even though Lasorda said  .Straw-,-Berry would do just Fine in Center everyone knew it would never happen. 1. Los Angeles dodgers the dodgers signed free agent Brett Butler to play Center and then traded right fielder Hubic Brooks to the mets. For left hander. Bob Ojeda Butler is a marvelous defensive outfielder and five times in his career has scored at least 100 runs. The Outfield of Kal Daniels Butler and Strawberry Niay be the Best in base. Ball. A a a�.?� the dodgers infield with the exception of Eddie Murray .330, 26 homers 95 Rols at first base is a Little less,. Lasorda will Man Euver a combination of Juan Samuel Lenny Harris Alfredo Griffin Jose Offerman Jeff Hamilton and Mike Sharperson just How Good the dodgers will be depends on the health of Orel Hershiser and Tim Belcher. They have already determined. Fernando Valenzuela can to help anymore and released him. Ojeda has looked Sharp in Spring training and will join 20-game Winner Ramon Martinez and a combination of Kevin Gross Jim Neidlinger and Mike Morgan As starters. The dodgers Are Ai ittle overloaded Here and might look to Deal a. Starter or two.2 Cincinnati reds although the dodgers Are the favor ites no one will really be shocked if the reds become the first team to win consecutive no pennants since los Angeles in 1977-78. A the reds revolutionized baseball last season with the formula of Randy Myers Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton they May talk too much but never in baseball history have Relief pitchers had such an Impact on the outcome of the world series. Because of the departure of Danny Jackson Charlton May end up Back in the starting rotation joining Tomb owning Jose Rijo Jack Armstrong Scott Scudder and Chris Hammond. The starting rotation is vulnerable. Quot last season the reds led wire to wire and Lou Piniella had the magic touch. It even got scary in the series. Remember Billy Bates Quot Billy hatchery a talents emerged in the series and he will get More playing time. Bill Doran .300 average starts the season at second base and Glenn Braggs is around for the whole season. The heart of the reds of Fehse remains Eric Davis. Despite an injury filled season Davis had 24 homers and 86 Rols. The runs batted in came because he so surrounded by Barry Larvirt Chris Sabor _ Paul of Neill and Hal Morris. _. �?�.3. San Diego padres it seems like the padres made a lot of improvements. After All How often does a team come up with Fred Mcgriff and Tony Fernandez in one Day but Are they really All that improved. A a a a. Joe Carter 24 homers 115 Rols went in the big Deal with Toronto leaving the padres with question Marks in the Outfield. Tony Gwynn Happy now that Jack Clark is no longer a teammate is an Allstar in right Field and figures to improve on his .31 9 average. After that manager Greg Riddoch will give Shawn Abner Darrin Jackson and Jerald Clark a. Chance. A a a a a a a a a dip Roberts moves in at second base. Taking Over for Roberto Alomar Roberts had the Best season nobody Jeff if about with a .309 average and 46 stolen bases. Last season three players batted .300 or better with at least 40 extra base hits and 40 stolen bases Rickey Henderson Barry Bonds an i Roberts. Guess who did no twin the map the third base problem May have been solved by signing free agent Jim Presley san Diego was actually making Progress after a miserable Start when Catcher Benito Santiago broke his Arm. The padres can match the reds and dodgers on offence but lose out in the pitching comparisons. De Whitson led the staff with 14 Victor Ries and will be followed in the rotation by Bruce Hurst Andy Benes and Dennis Rasmussen. To be contenders Whitson Hurst and Benes need to win 15 games each. A a a a�,. �. A a  a. Sex met Darryl Strawberry a a dodger and Tommy Lasorda a his  cheerleader.4. . Giants the giants spent $33 million Over the Winter to sign Bud Black Willie Mcgee and Dave Righetti. It wont be enough though.  nobody can match the Middle of the giants order of will Clark Kevin Mitchell and Matt  it seems unlikely even Roger Craig can straighten out this tattered pitching staff. Rick Reuschel Kelly Downs Mike la Coss Don Robinson and Scott. Garrelts All had injuries last season. Of they added the no batting Champion by signing Mcgee to play Center Field. But butlers defense and intangibles will be missed. Done to forget Mcgee made 16 errors before St. Louis traded him to Oakland last August. It seems his Gold Glove has tarnished a bit. What makes matters worse for the giants is the fact. Butler signed with the dodgers. A a a / a.  �?�5. Atlanta braves things Are definitely looking up for the braves this season. Why there a a Good Chance they will even finish out of the basement for the first time since 1987. If Atlanta does no to get off to a decent Start Bobby Cox will probably be the first manager to get his Pink slip this season. The braves made two significant freq. Agent signings Over the Winter by picking up third baseman Terry Pendleton and first baseman Sid Bream Pendleton arid Bream bring a winning attitude to Atlanta. A a a a a a a a a a add Pendleton and Bream to a lineup that includes Rookie of the year Dave Justice 28 homers 78 Rolston Gant 1303, 32 homers 84 Bis _ and Deion Sanders and there a reason to think Atlanta will score runs. How much. Improvement the braves actually make on their 65-97 record depends on How much the pitching staff improves on its 4.58 Era. Tom Glavine John Smoltz and Steve Avery All have the ability to be big winners. So far Glavine and Smoltz just Haven to been consistent. Avery got his Chance last season and this year Paul Marak will be added to the Young rotation. For a Little Veteran experience there Scharlie leibrandt.6. Houston astros a a All you need to know about the astros is that Craig Biggio and Ken Caminiti Are now the Star attractions. Attendance at the Astrodome might slip a bit. Gone from last seasons 75-87 team Are first baseman Glenn Davis saves Leader Dave Smith and no Era Champion Danny Darwin. Franklin Stubbs 23 homers 71 Rols and reliever Juan Agosto also left for free Agency. The names on the Houston Side of the Bonscore Are probably unfamiliar Luis Gonzalez Karl Rhodes ferry Mcgriff Dave Rhode Mike Simms and Carl Nichols get used to it _. There arc still holdovers left on the pitching staff although Mike Scott wants out arid the astros Are trying to Trade him the astros added pitching depth by Quot acquiring Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling from Baltimore along with Center fielder Steve Finley. A tomorrow american league East