Even Before Majors, He Threw Them Down

Bill Conlin of the Sacramento Bee was among those who congratulated Fernando Valenzuela after the youngster had made his debut in this country.

“It was 1979 in Lodi, and Fernando had pitched and won his first game in the Class A California League, indeed his first on an American diamond,� writes Conlin.

“We followed the 18-year-old Mexican lad as he trotted immediately to the clubhouse, where he chug-a-lugged a beer. Then he pounded another. Finally a third.�

Among those looking on was Dodger scout Ronnie King, and Conlin quotes him as saying, “I don’t know how well the kid can pitch, but he’s already a major league beer-drinker.�

Trivia time: Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe asks this one: “Name the only four players with 40-homer seasons who have at least 10 letters in their last names. (If you get them all, it’s time to ask if you’ve spent too much of your life in pursuit of meaningless information.)�

Add Shaughnessy: Of 6-foot-10 pitcher Randy Johnson, the ex-USC right-hander who went from the Montreal Expos to the Seattle Mariners in the Mark Langston deal, he said: “He’s a little on the goofy side. Red Sox property John Trautwein roomed with Johnson in the minors and claims Johnson didn’t know who Hank Aaron was.�

Signing off: The Minnesota Twins’ Kirby Puckett, who earns $40,000 to $50,000 a year signing autographs at baseball card shows, tells the Chicago Sun-Times why he’s giving it up: “One of the things I hated was little kids coming up with a bunch of cards and I could only sign one. It’s hard to tell kids when they pay $7 you can only sign one thing. I have a heart, and I feel bad doing that.�

Mr. Charm: Said Kansas City’s Bo Jackson when asked if he hoped to join Jose Canseco in the 40-40 club after hitting 20 homers and stealing 20 bases in the first half of the season: “To hell with 40-40.�

Add Bo: Said Royal Manager John Wathan of Jackson’s second home run Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s, a monster shot to center on an 0-and-2 count: “I don’t know too many times I’ve seen the ball hit to center field and the center fielder just stands there and doesn’t move.�

Big talk: Oklahoma receiver Brad Redell, pooh-poohing the theory that incoming university President Richard Van Horn pulled the strings that led to the resignation of Barry Switzer, told the Houston Chronicle: “Barry Switzer has got more pull than any president at OU. Barry Switzer is bigger than the governor around here.�

As for how the Sooners will fare this year, he said: “We’re going to win regardless. We will win the Big Eight, we will win the national championship in the next couple of years. It’s not going to be that big a change.�

G-r-r-r: From Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Rob Dibble: “I hate the Dodgers. I have no animosity toward the players, just the Dodger tradition. They think they’re America’s team.�

Trivia answer: Carl Yastrzemski, Rico Petrocelli, Ted Kluszewski and Roy Campanella.

Quotebook: HBO commentator Arthur Ashe, to Martina Navratilova, whose draw ended up being easy at Wimbledon: “Like my favorite grapes, your draw is seedless.�