ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 9, 1996 TAG: 9611110113
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: BASEBALL NOTES
SOURCE: From Associated Press and Washington Post reports
The San Diego Padres were in the playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons, and that helped Bruce Bochy win the National League Manager of the Year award in just his second season.
Two writers from each National League city voted in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
``We had a lot of fun this year,'' Bochy said Friday. ``No question we were disappointed we didn't take it a little further, but we feel like we accomplished a lot and I'm proud of the way the guys played this year. It's just nice, too, that the people of San Diego are talking baseball again.''
Bochy, at 41 the youngest active manager in the major leagues, finished with 76 points, two more than Felipe Alou of the Montreal Expos and seven more than Tony La Russa of the St.Louis Cardinals.
``It's a big moment for me and I'm proud to accept it,'' Bochy said.
La Russa was listed on 25 ballots, Alou 24 and Bochy 22, but the San Diego manager had 10 first-place votes to eight for Alou and seven for La Russa. (Voting in Scoreboard. B6)
``He deserves it,'' La Russa said. ``Bruce did a real good job. So did Felipe. I appreciate the consideration.''
Bochy became the first San Diego manager to win the award, which first was given in 1983. The former catcher guided the Padres to a 91-71 record in his second year with the team. San Diego was swept by St.Louis in the first round of the playoffs.
In other baseball news:
ORIOLES: Roberto Alomar, Baltimore's All-Star second baseman, says umpire John Hirschbeck cursed at him, provoking the spitting incident during the final weekend of the regular season.
``I think people in the States don't understand what happened. They got me all wrong,'' Alomar said after playing in the San Juan Senators' winter league opener in Puerto Rico. ``I know I was wrong, and I regret it. But I think he was wrong too, in calling me names. They weren't pretty names. I think people who know me know there was a reason for what I did.''
In other Orioles news, Cal Ripken said he's willing to move to third base next season if that will make Baltimore a better team, but hinted he objects to suggestions the change must be made because he no longer can play shortstop effectively.
``As always, if it's going to improve the club, I'm willing to do it,'' Ripken told the Washington Post by telephone from Japan, where he is splitting time at shortstop with the Seattle Mariners' Alex Rodriguez for a team of touring major-league players. ``I'm willing to do what's best for the club.'
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. San Diego manager Bruce Bochy received 10by CNBfirst-place votes and is the first Padres manager to win NL Manager
of the Year honors.