Dodger Notebook : Griffin’s Absence a Misunderstanding, Claire Says

The shortstop is coming. Fred Claire promises. So does Tom Lasorda.

But Alfredo Griffin was not on the premises for Sunday’s workout in Dodgertown. Claire said it was a breakdown in communication--apparently, the Dodgers had misunderstood when Griffin was coming in from the Dominican Republic. He was expected Sunday night and should work out today.

Newcomer Willie Randolph, meanwhile, discovered that while you can leave the New York Yankees, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be involved in a controversy. A number of Yankees, including owner George Steinbrenner and pitcher Ron Guidry, were miffed that Yankee rookie Deion Sanders--a football All-America at Florida State--was assigned No. 30, Randolph’s number for 13 seasons with the Yankees.

“I don’t think it should be worn now,” Guidry was quoted as saying. “I don’t say it shouldn’t be someday. But I don’t think anybody can carry it on his shoulders right now.”

Steinbrenner said he agreed, and an hour or so later, Sanders had a new number: 44. In the event you’ve forgotten, that was once worn by Reggie Jackson.

Randolph was back at work in Dodgertown Sunday after missing Saturday’s workout because of tenderness in his right knee.