BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ken Griffey Jr., walked past reporters in the Seattle clubhouse last Wednesday and asked, only half-jokingly, "When's the fire sale start?"
The Mariners, who had World Series hopes in March, are slipping into oblivion, and a breakup is imminent.
Asked seriously what the chances were that every Mariner in the clubhouse would still be with the team in September, Griffey shook his head.
"Slim and none," he said. "Things have to change, everyone's aware of that. In any organization, you play like we've played and there are going to be changes."
HACKING AWAY:
Sure, Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire is chasing Roger Maris' single-season record of 61 home runs, but he and Juan Gonzalez of Texas are on pace to set a single-season RBI record.
Gonzalez had 80 RBI entering Saturday night's game, and McGwire had 80 after his game Saturday.
At their current rate, both would break the single-season RBI record of 190 by the Cubs' Hack Wilson in 1930.
McGwire considers Maris' home run record more attainable than Wilson's RBI mark. Maris' record has stood for 36 years, and Babe Ruth's previous record of 60 homers stood for 34 years.
Wilson's mark has stood for 67 years. Next on the single-season RBI list is Lou Gehrig, with an American League record 184 RBI for the Yankees in 1931. Wilson's record hasn't been challenged since Hank Greenberg's 183 in 1937.
"It's impossible to get 190 RBI," McGwire contends. "That's what it's like when you play Nerf ball in the backyard. A hitter has no control, so it takes a lot of luck to come up with guys on base all the time. To me, Gonzalez is the best. He's not just a home run hitter. He's a great hitter.
"(RBI) are somewhat overlooked. But you talk to any hitter who gets the big bucks and he'll tell you the biggest thing is getting runners in. I'll take a bloop single to drive in a run, but that doesn't excite people."
CLOSER NO MORE:
After watching Mark Wohlers struggle to regain command of his pitches, Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has temporarily demoted the closer to a set-up role.
Since his return from the disabled list May 24, Wohlers' control has been so spotty (eight walks in 6 2/3 innings) that Cox doesn't feel comfortable using him in the ninth.
So Cox plans to give the right-hander -- who's 8-for-8 in save opportunities this season -- a chance to regain his command and confidence by working him in the seventh and eighth innings for the next week or so.
Wohlers, upset because he won't be given a chance to keep his job while he works through his problems, said he should be treated like any other player who is struggling.
"I've been in every save situation possible since 1995," he said. "I'm a closer; I'm going to be a closer; and I want the ball in the ninth inning. Since '91 I've seen a lot of guys struggle, guys in the lineup and guys in the rotation, and they've been allowed to work through it."
Kerry Lightenberg will receive most of the save opportunities until Wohlers reclaims his job.
GET OVER YOURSELF:
Cleveland pitcher Doc Gooden is upset the Mets gave his old No. 16 to Hideo Nomo.
"I'm shocked," said Gooden, who played for the Mets for 11 years. "I've got nothing against Nomo, but to me it's a slap in the face. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, but I came up through that organization and no one has done more for them than me."
Few players embarrassed the Mets organization more than Gooden, either, when revelations of his one-time cocaine habit became public.
TIGERS ON THE PROWL:
The Detroit Tigers, who just a few years ago were going younger and cheaper, are getting ready to make major big-money moves. It may not happen this season, but by Opening Day next year, they plan to add what General Manager Randy Smith called "an elite-type" starting pitcher.
Smith called Seattle last week to inquire about Randy Johnson. Earlier this season, he called the Marlins about Charles Johnson and Mike Piazza and the Dodgers about Hideo Nomo.
"I just think it's foolish not to pursue these things," Smith said.
The Tigers know their needs, and they also know that by next year, they'll be able to afford expensive solutions. They're expecting an attendance boost the next two seasons -- 1999 is the last year for Tiger Stadium and their new park opens in 2000.
"We're not going to get anywhere by signing more $2 million pitchers," Smith said. "Sometimes they come through, sometimes they don't. We've talked internally about what we need most, and how we're going to address those needs."
YANKEE CLIP:
The New York Yankees are on pace to win 126 games, which would break the major-league record for wins in a season (116, set by the 1906 Cubs). The American League record is 111, by the 1954 Indians.
"When I hear people talking about it, I go into another room," said Yankees manager Joe Torre, refusing to be distracted by talk of immortality.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: Tom Hicks, the billionaire owner of the NHL's Dallas Stars, was approved last week as the new owner of the Texas Rangers, and speculation is he'll go on a spending-spree . . . The Blue Jays are shopping pitcher Juan Guzman to acquire a hitter for the stretch run. . . . Philadelphia ace Curt Schilling won for the first time in a month on Friday and is 6-7. . . . Don't expect more beanings and brawls when the Orioles and Yankees meet again next week at Camden Yards. The chief culprit in the last round was Baltimore reliever Armando Benitez, who is on his best behavior after being chastised by friends, foes, teammates and management.
THE FINAL WORD:
From Chicago White Sox manager Jerry Manuel, after the National League Cubs swept his American League White Sox in a three-game interleague series last weekend:
"There's no doubt -- we're not geared for National League-style baseball," Manuel said. "I don't know what league would be right for us. To be honest, we might be best suited for Triple-A baseball right now."
