ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK : Torre Still Interested in Managing

Angels broadcaster Joe Torre says he still would be interested in being a major-league manager. It could happen; Torre is being mentioned as a candidate to succeed Whitey Herzog in St. Louis.

“I’d consider any managerial job,” said Torre, in town for Monday’s Old-Timers game at Wrigley Field.

Torre said the Cardinals have not talked to him about taking over for Herzog, but reports from St. Louis said the club plans to interview him.

Torre managed Atlanta to the 1982 National League West title and previously guided the New York Mets.

A little-known All-Star rule made American League Manager Tony La Russa comfortable with carrying only two catchers for tonight’s game.

If a club’s reserve catcher is injured, the starting catcher can return to the game. The rule has not come into play recently.

Lance Parrish will back up starter Sandy Alomar Jr. in the AL. Greg Olson is the lone backup for Mike Scioscia in the National.

“I’m sure they were thinking the same thing we were when they picked only one more,” La Russa said.

Ken Griffey Jr. will tonight become the second-youngest rookie to start an All-Star game.

Griffey is 20 years old and seven months. Al Kaline was 20 years and six months when he started in the American League outfield in 1955.

The youngest player ever on an All-Star roster was Dwight Gooden, who pitched for the Nationals in 1984 when he was 19 years and seven months. Bob Feller was next at 19 years and eight months in 1938.

Dick Allen looked like his old self at the plate during the All-Star festivities: Wrigley Field has a way of doing that for old sluggers.

Allen was the only player to homer during Monday’s Old-Timers game, sending a drive into the bleachers in left-center field. The three-run shot came against Ferguson Jenkins.

“I gave up a lot of home runs in my career and this probably won’t be the last,” Jenkins said.

Allen, a seven-time All-Star, went 2 for 2 and drove in five runs in the American League’s 10-0 victory.

Jose Canseco said he thinks there is a “slight” chance Darryl Strawberry might break his record as baseball’s highest-paid player.

Canseco recently signed a $23.5 million, five-year contract extension through 1995. Strawberry is eligible for free agency at the end of the season and has talked about getting bigger money than Canseco.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing him come over to Oakland,” Canseco added.

Canseco also said teammate Rickey Henderson, who is getting $12 million for four years, might be underpaid compared to some other players.

“I see (Will) Clark and (Don) Mattingly making $4 million a year and I think Rickey has more tools than either one of them,” Canseco said.

There are several bonus babies at the All-Star game this season.

At the top of the list are Ellis Burks, Lance Parrish, Dave Stieb, Neal Heaton and John Franco, who each pocketed $50,000 for being named All-Stars. Sixteen players got $25,000 each.