BASEBALL MISCELLANY : NAMES AND NUMBERS

American League East: It’s the only September race, but in August it was more of a retreat. Detroit was 14-16, Boston 13-17, New York 9-19.

Year of the Balk: Among the pitchers yet to be called for one entering September were Bret Saberhagen, 218 innings; Greg Swindell, 202; Rick Reuschel, 191; Mike Scott, 180; Jose DeLeon, 178; Shane Rawley, 167; Jim Clancy, 163; Frank Tanana, 160; Jimmy Jones, 159; Bill Long, 138; Richard Dotson, 138; Tim Belcher, 137; John Dopson, 136; Bruce Ruffin, 134; David Palmer, 129.

Spelling Relief: Six clubs may emerge from the 1988 season with save records. Doug Jones has broken the Cleveland mark with 30. Dennis Eckersley’s 37 did the same to Oakland’s and Jeff Reardon became Minnesota’s record-holder with 35. Bobby Thigpen needs 4 to tie the Chicago White Sox record of 32, Dan Plesac needs 2 to tie the Milwaukee record of 31, and John Franco needs 6 to tie the Cincinnati record of 37, a difficult task, though Franco registered 20 in July and August alone.

Mike Flanagan: A once valuable left-hander who was expected to be traded to a contender for the September stretch drive, the Toronto Blue Jay veteran sent the scouts home early by going 1-5 with a 5.66 earned-run average in August. He has lost 6 of his last 7 decisions and was 11-12 overall.

Andre Dawson: The Chicago Cubs right fielder became the first player to hit 10 or more homers and steal 10 or more bases in 12 straight seasons. Said Dawson: “How do they come up with these things?”

Joey Meyer: The Milwaukee Brewers’ touted rookie and designated hitter began September with a .457 average during an 11-game hitting streak that lifted his season average to .275 and meant he was finally hitting his weight of 265.

Jerry Hairston: Released by the White Sox in spring training, the veteran outfielder and pinch-hitter spent the summer selling cars and insurance in the Chicago area and occasionally taking batting practice with the White Sox, who activated him Sept. 1 and plan to do the same each of the next two years, allowing Hairston to get the 80 days he needs for 10 years in the pension plan. Hairston is wearing his age on the back of his uniform: 36.

Bo Jackson: Except for home runs, the Kansas City Royals’ left fielder hadn’t had a hit since Aug. 17 until he got an infield single against the Indians Tuesday night. Jackson’s previous 5 hits and 9 of his previous 19 had been homers, and he probably wished this one had been, too, because he aggravated a hamstring injury running it out and left the game. Jackson, with 22 homers and 23 steals, is the only 20-20 player in Royal history other than Amos Otis.

Willie Wilson: The Kansas City center fielder has stolen 30 bases for the 11th straight season. Only Lou Brock, 14 years, and Ty Cobb, 12, had longer runs.