BASEBALL MISCELLANY

NAMES AND NUMBERS

* Battle Lines: Commissioner Fay Vincent and New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner are bringing in heavy artillery in preparation for a July 5 hearing on the investigation into Steinbrenner’s relationship with alleged gambler Howard Spira. Vincent has put former federal judge Harold Tyler on retainer, while Steinbrenner has hired two former federal prosecutors, Stephen Kaufman and Dominic Amorosa, as part of his legal team. The maximum penalties for violating the best interest of baseball are suspension for life and a fine of $250,000.

* Atlanta Burning: Russ Nixon’s final days as the Atlanta Braves’ manager included open warfare with several of his players and a loss of communication with some of his coaches. The ineffectiveness of a touted young rotation and the illness that sidelined Nick Esasky undermined what Nixon and others hoped would be a promising season. And there was no relief anywhere. Nixon tried seven pitchers in the closer role, and his bullpen blew 12 of 25 save chances, earning the nickname “Ghastly Boys” from Joe Strauss of the Atlanta Constitution.

* Security Check: General Manager Dal Maxvill of the St. Louis Cardinals received a contract extension through 1992, which matches the commitment to Manager Whitey Herzog. Only three players--Bryn Smith, Jose DeLeon and Milt Thompson--are signed through ‘92, and 11 Cardinals can become free agents when this season ends. “We’re entering a transition period,” Maxvill said. “Some will leave by trade, some by choice, some by an infusion of young talent.” Amid the current struggle, pitcher John Tudor said the Cardinals have been feeling sorry for themselves, adding: “We have to turn frustration into aggression instead of more frustration.”

* Dollar Daze: Jose Canseco’s contract agreement with the Oakland Athletics will cover five years and fall between $23 million and $23.7 million. A’s General Manager Sandy Alderson denied that the Oakland Coliseum fences will be moved in five feet as part of the agreement.