Spring Training Roundup : Ozzie Smith Talks Reach the ‘Serious Stage’

Shortstop Ozzie Smith, trying to negotiate a new contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, says he is optimistic about reaching an agreement.

Smith is in the final year of a three-year contract that will earn him $1.3 million this year. He is eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season.

Although neither Smith nor his agent, Ed Gottlieb, will talk in specifics, it is believed Smith is seeking a four- or five-year contract worth close to $2 million per season.

Smith would like the situation to be resolved by the end of spring training.

“I think we’ve gotten to the serious stage,” said Smith, a five-time Gold Glove award winner and a four-time All Star. “There is no doubt (that I want to stay). But we realize that everything we want is not always possible. It doesn’t always work out. If it doesn’t, it will not be the first time or the last.

“If the club is sincere about signing me, they will. If not, they won’t.”

Dave Bergman, counted on by Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson to take a regular turn at first base against right-handers this season, showed up at camp at Lakeland, Fla., Thursday with his left arm in a splint and a sling.

A hospital examination revealed that the left-handed hitter has a possible torn tendon of the extensor muscle in his left elbow. Just how long Bergman will be lost to the team won’t be known until further tests on Monday.

The injury took place Wednesday when Bergman, who this winter signed a new three-year contract with Detroit for just under $1 million, was loosening up with a bat next to the cage.

“It was just normal stuff,” Bergman said, “and something gave, something popped. I went in and took a couple of cuts, but (special instructor Al) Kaline told me if it’s that bad, don’t take a chance.”

Bergman batted .273 with seven home runs and 44 runs batted in in 271 at-bats last season.

Notes Luis Salazar went 3 for 3 and drove in two runs for the White Sox, and Tim Lollar, acquired from San Diego in the deal that sent LaMarr Hoyt to the Padres, got the win with three scoreless innings’ work as Chicago beat the University of South Florida, 13-0, at Sarasota, Fla. . . . Don Mattingly, the Yankees’ 1984 American League batting champion with a .344 average, suited up for practice for the first time. He is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Feb. 22. Mattingly, the only unsigned Yankee, said he would begin taking batting practice “in the next few days.”

Although White Sox Manager Tony LaRussa has an opening-day pitcher in mind, he isn’t identifying him yet. If it’s Tom Seaver, the 40-year-old veteran will break the major-league record he now holds with Walter Johnson. Both men have started 14 opening-day games. . . . The Mets have only five unsigned players after signing pitcher Tom Gorman and catcher Ronn Reynolds to 1985 contracts. The unsigned Mets are pitchers Calvin Schiraldi, Roger McDowell and Randy Myers, catcher John Gibbons and outfielder John Christensen.