Notebook : It Takes Dodger Starter to Hit in a Pinch

The first game of the World Series will be remembered for a pinch-hit, albeit a pretty big pinch-hit. But overall, the bench may be the weakest part of the Dodger lineup.

During the season, Dodger pinch-hitters batted only .210. And in the 7-game National League championship series the Dodgers were only 1 for 9.

Saturday appeared to be more of the same as Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda pinch-hit for every pitcher. It went like this:

--In the second, Danny Heep batted for Tim Belcher and grounded out.

--In the fifth, Tracy Woodson batted for Tim Leary and grounded into a force play.

--In the seventh, Jose Gonzalez batted for Brian Holton and struck out. And he looked bad doing it.

--And in the ninth, Mike Davis batted for shortstop Alfredo Griffin and walked.

--Kirk Gibson batted for Alejandro Pena, but you already know how that turned out.

As the Fantasy Turns: Walt Weiss was asked before Saturday’s game what his baseball fantasy would be.

“It would be the usual, 3-and-2 count, bases loaded, ninth inning and I hit a game-winning home run. . . . Wait a minute. I’d take a single. I don’t hit many home runs.”

As Weiss discovered, Gibson does.

Some History, Please: This is the second time that a player has won a game in the bottom of the ninth or later with a pinch-hit home run. Dusty Rhodes, playing for the New York Giants hit a 10th inning home run against Cleveland in the Polo Grounds on Sept. 29, 1954.

It was also the third time that the Dodgers have won a post-season game after entering the ninth inning trailing.

On Oct. 3, 1947 in Game 4 of the World Series, Cookie Lavagetto broke up a no-hitter by Bill Bevens of the Yankees with a game-winning double.

The other time was in Game 4 of this season’s NLCS when Mike Scioscia’s 2-run homer sent the game into extra innings. Gibson’s homer won it.

1st and 10 in the 2nd: Orel Hershiser, today’s starting pitcher for the Dodgers, won’t say Oakland has an intimidating group of hitters but he comes mighty close.

“During introductions, I’ll think I’ll be looking at the Green Bay Packers,” Hershiser said before Game 1.

Hershiser says his arm feels just fine despite pitching a complete game on Wednesday.

“I was not involved in any of the discussions of when I was going to pitch,” Hershiser said. “I think I’ll have enough rest to do a good job.”,

As for potential appearances in Games 5 and 7, Hershiser asked: “What about a relief appearance?

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I just tell Tommy (Lasorda) how I feel. I think I’ll pitch in 2, 5 and 7, although probably not as a starter in Game 7.”

Hershiser failed to mention that if he pitches well in Games 2 and 5 there may not be a Game 7.

Through the Eyes of a Storm: Storm Davis, today’s starting pitcher for Oakland, faced Hershiser once last season when he played for the San Diego Padres.

“I started against Orel one game . . . . Let me rephrase that, it was the only good game I pitched last year. I lost, 3-2.”

Davis’ Padre memories continue to stick with him. When asked if he felt uncomfortable playing for former Padre Manager Larry Bowa he replied succinctly: “That’s an understatement. I don’t think I learned anything from the man.”

Earlier Davis had told Times staff writer Bill Plaschke: “Larry said a lot of things about me out of frustration. But I know if he walks up to me, he would say he meant every one of them.”

Afternoon Tirade Over a Morning Briefing: Tom Lasorda unleashed an expletive-filled assault at the Newsday writer who told Don Baylor that Lasorda had taken a verbal shot at him. Lasorda read about the item in Saturday’s Morning Briefing, in which Dave Stewart said: “Just stick some spaghetti in his mouth. That will keep quiet for a while.”

Lasorda’s reply, with editing: “The guy from Newsday said I ripped Baylor. I have never said anything about Baylor since I’ve known him.”

More Lasorda Rumblings: Lasorda spent Friday night at Chasen’s with Vice President George Bush.

“It was an incredible feeling walking down the street to the restaurant with Secret Service circling us.”

You Can Go Home: Current Athletics and former Dodgers Bob Welch and Rick Honeycutt visited the Dodger clubhouse before the game. Welch visited with former teammates. Honeycutt went in to Lasorda’s office, where he talked with Don Rickles on the phone.

What a Coach: Bob Watson, the A’s hitting coach, has the job of teaching Jose Canseco how to hit. What’s the secret?

“Lately, I haven’t had to tell him anything. Mainly, my job is to make sure his feet touch the ground.”

Somewhere, Bart Giamatti is smiling: Since Jay Howell was suspended for having pine tar on his glove in Game 4 of the NL playoffs, he hasn’t made an appearance, despite being eligible to play in 3 games.

After quarterbacking third-ranked USC to a 28-27 victory over No. 16 Washington at the Coliseum, Heisman Trophy candidate Rodney Peete had about an hour to get to a TV so he could watch Game 1 of the World Series between the Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics.

“I’ve got a double interest in that one,” Peete said. “The Dodgers were my favorite team growing up, but then I was almost an A.”

Although for the present the A’s are pretty well set at third base with Carney Lansford, they might also have been set for the future had they convinced their 14th-round pick in last June’s draft to sign with them.

They nearly did. But Peete had some pressing business in Los Angeles, so he reluctantly told the A’s no.

“It was very close, very close,” the USC senior said Saturday. “They made me some very good offers. There was only one stumbling block, and that was they wanted me to go to the minors for a month before football camp opened. That would have made me miss some summer classes, and then I couldn’t have graduated this year on time.”

Peete could have completed his college football career even if he had signed a baseball contract. He would have lost his scholarship, but not his eligibility. The Pacific 10 Southern Division’s all-conference third baseman, Peete hit .338 with 12 home runs, even though he missed 20 games after breaking a bone in his right hand on his first at-bat of the season.

“No regrets about not signing,” Peete said. “But the A’s were good to me. It wouldn’t bother me at all if they took me again in the next draft.”

Times staff writers Mike Downey, Sam McManis and Bill Plaschke contributed to this story.