Dierker Takes New Route to Honor

Larry Dierker has come full circle, from second-guessing managers to being second-guessed himself.

Last season, little that Dierker did merited critical scrutiny.

The Houston Astros broadcaster-turned-manager won the National League manager-of-the-year award Wednesday after leading the Houston Astros to a team-record 102 wins and their second consecutive division title.

Dierker received 16 first-place votes, six seconds and four thirds to earn 102 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America.

San Diego’s Bruce Bochy was second with five first-place votes and 70 points, followed by Chicago’s Jim Riggleman, who got five firsts and 55 points.

*

The Detroit Tigers, seeking to build a contender as they prepare to move into a new stadium in 2000, signed third baseman Dean Palmer to a $36-million, five-year contract. Palmer, who turns 30 next month, hit .278 this year for Kansas City, leading the Royals in home runs (34) and RBIs (119).

Detroit also made an offer to Ken Caminiti, another free-agent third baseman, but Smith said Caminiti told the Tigers he wasn’t ready to make a quick decision, so they focused on Palmer.

*

Free-agent pitcher Todd Stottlemyre has rejected the Angels’ first contract proposal, which agent Tony Attanasio described as “a low-ball offer,” but that does not mean the team is out of the running for the right-hander.

Stottlemyre, who helped the Texas Rangers win the American League West after his July 31 trade from St. Louis, is believed to be looking for a four-year deal in the $26 million to $30-million range.

Meanwhile, Angel infielder Justin Baughman underwent two hours of surgery to repair several fractures in his lower left leg, injuries suffered in a collision with an outfielder in a Mexican League game Sunday. He is expected to be sidelined four to six months.

*

Hours before he could have become a free agent, pitcher David Cone signed a one-year, $8-million contract to remain with the New York Yankees. With incentives, the deal could be worth as much as $9.75 million.

While the Yankees signed Cone, the team didn’t make a decision about whether to pick up Darryl Strawberry’s $2.5-million option. The Yankees extended the deadline for a decision until Nov. 20.

*

Paul Konerko, the Dodgers’ first baseman on opening day, was traded for the second time in five months, going from Cincinnati to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Mike Cameron. The Reds had acquired him from the Dodgers on July 4 with left-hander Dennis Reyes for closer Jeff Shaw. . . . The Arizona Diamondbacks signed free-agent pitcher Greg Swindell, 33, to a three-year contract and free-agent first baseman/outfielder Greg Colbrunn, 29, to a two-year deal. . . . With several offers already, free-agent pitcher Randy Johnson’s latest proposal is from the San Diego Padres. The Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and the Padres have offered contracts to Johnson, and agent Alan Nero expects offers from the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Yankees.

Staff Writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this story.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1998 Manager of the Year

LARRY DIERKER

Houston Astros

NL Manager Voting

Voting awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.

*

Larry Dierker, Houston

1st: 16

2nd: 6

3rd: 4

Total: 102

*

Bruce Bochy, San Diego

1st: 5

2nd: 13

3rd: 6

Total: 70

*

Jim Riggleman, Chicago

1st: 5

2nd: 7

3rd: 9

Total: 55

8

Dusty Baker, San Francisco

1st: 6

2nd: 2

3rd: 3

Total: 39

*

Bobby Cox, Atlanta

1st: 0

2nd: 3

3rd: 8

Total: 17

*

Managers of the Year / By Team

2: Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Houston, Montreal, Pittsburgh, San Francisco.

1: St. Louis, Atlanta, Colorado, San Diego

Researched by HOUSTON MITCHELL / Los Angeles Times

Elsewhere

AWARD

LARRY DIERKER: Two years after leaving the broadcast booth, he is named National League manager of the year.