ALL-STAR NOTES : It’s No Joke: Morgan to Replace Injured Martinez on NL Roster

TORONTO —  Mike Morgan had a change of heart Monday, replacing injured Dodger teammate Ramon Martinez on the National League’s All-Star pitching staff.

Morgan had called the All-Star game “a joke” and indicated after the initial selections that he would not go to Toronto as a replacement because he thought he should have been chosen originally.

But he talked to Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, on Monday after Claire received a call from NL President Bill White regarding the decision to replace Martinez.

“I think Mike was pleased,” Claire said. “A strong case could be made for his selection initially, but I think he was thrilled to get the opportunity to go--though it took the injury to Ramon.”

Martinez suffered a strained hip muscle during Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves and will be unable to pitch tonight. Morgan was scheduled to arrive here late Monday night.

Lou Piniella, the NL manager, said that in choosing his initial staff that he considered using 10 pitchers, including either Morgan or Bruce Hurst of the San Diego Padres, then opted for a nine-man staff and an extra hitter, because a designated hitter will be used in this year’s game.

Martinez, who made the trip here and will be introduced as a member of the NL team, said the hip injury has improved and he expects to make his next start for the Dodgers as scheduled.

He also said that he was disappointed that he wouldn’t have the chance to pitch today, “but I have to take care of myself and I’m sure I’ll have a lot more chances (to pitch in an All-Star game.)”

Scott Erickson isn’t here, but he hasn’t been forgotten.

Minnesota Twin teammate Jack Morris will be wearing the most renowned part of Erickson’s uniform when he starts for the American League tonight.

It’s a start that Erickson (12-3) probably would have made if he had not been placed on the disabled list because of a muscle strain in his right forearm last week.

Morris will pay homage to Erickson, known for his affection for the color black, by wearing Erickson’s special black stirrups, which completely cover a player’s white socks.

“They’re ugly as hell, but Scotty should have been here, and I told him I’d wear them in his honor,” Morris said.

“He’s been the best pitcher in the league by far, and there’s no question in my mind he deserves this start.

“I’m sure Tony (La Russa, the AL manager) wanted him to have it.”

Instead, Morris will make his third All-Star start, having rebuilt his career at 36 by winning eight of his last nine decisions for an 11-6 record. This is Morris’ homecoming season with the Twins, who signed him as a new-look free agent after he left the Detroit Tigers.

“It’s quieter, there’s less traffic and I have to breathe less pollution,” Morris said with a smile, as if that explains his success in the wake of a 15-18 summer with the Tigers.

“My mechanics and control are also better,” he added. “I feel like I’m pitching as well as I did at any time in the ‘80s.

“I’m getting ahead of hitters and making them feel the pressure of hitting with two strikes rather than having it their way with a 3-and-1 count.”

Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves, who will start for the National League in his first All-Star appearance, recalled his disappointment at hearing from Rogie Vachon, general manager of the Kings, only once after being selected during the fourth round of the 1984 NHL draft. Glavine was a high school hockey and baseball star in Lowell, Mass.

“I could be playing on a wing with Wayne Gretzky right now,” he said. “No, the more I think about it, Gretzky would be my wing.”

Asked if his Cincinnati Reds could catch the Dodgers in the National League West, relief pitcher Rob Dibble seemed to take a shot at General Manager Bob Quinn.

“We’ve got to get another starter in the rotation, put Norm Charlton back in the bullpen and make a trade,” Dibble said.

“It’s the general manager’s job to get players. We’ve got guys on the bench that can be dealt, but then you see a (Tom) Candiotti pass by. . . . I just hope we don’t wait until we’re 10 games behind to make a trade.”

Dibble praised the Dodgers and said: “The only way to get to them is to get into their bullpen. They’ll be tough to catch no matter what we do.”

With Darryl Strawberry, elected a National League outfield starter in the fan vote, choosing not to play because of a recent shoulder injury, Piniella opted for Ivan Calderon of the Montreal Expos over George Bell of the Chicago Cubs in left field. The fans’ choices, Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres and Andre Dawson of the Cubs, will be in center and right, respectively. Normally a right fielder, it will be Gwynn’s first start in center this year.

Bell, who spent several productive and controversial seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays before signing with the Cubs as a free agent, said his homecoming wouldn’t be ruined by Piniella’s decision--or the possibility of a rude reception by the fans.

“I may have said that I didn’t want to ever come back here, but to come back as an All-Star is perfect,” Bell said. “The Toronto Blue Jays are still my team. This is where I grew up, where I made my name. If the fans want to boo me, it will just make me concentrate more. “

The Blue Jays lead the AL East by 5 1/2 games, and for those who believe they are an improved team without Bell, he shrugged and said: “In my six years here we had a winning team five times. We played pretty well when I was here. What’s the big deal?”

Said Ken Griffey Jr., the Seattle Mariners’ center fielder who led the American League in votes: “I cheated. When my dad was on the disabled list I put him to work stuffing the ballot box.”

Rod Carew is the honorary captain of the AL team. Hank Aaron is the NL’s honorary captain.