BASEBALL MISCELLANY

VALENTINE’S MESSAGE: Texas Ranger Manager Bobby Valentine had one for the New York Mets the other day.

It stemmed from the play of Ranger rookie Juan Gonzalez, the American Assn.’s home run and runs-batted-in leader who has been fulfilling expectations since his call-up by Texas, batting .333 with 11 RBIs and four homers in his first 69 at-bats.

One more at-bat, coupled with his 60 of last season, would cost Gonzalez his rookie status and a shot at the freshman award next year. Valentine, however, said he would not hold Gonzalez out, as the Mets held out Gregg Jefferies in 1988.

“That was the biggest injustice the Mets ever did,” Valentine said. “That sent a message to the team that an individual is more important than the team.”

* ROCK BOTTOM: The depth of the Milwaukee Brewers’ disappointing season can be measured by a 0-6 record against the Cleveland Indians, including defeats Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday against Steve Olwin in his first major league start; Charles Nagy, who gained his first major league victory; and Sergio Valdez, who was 4-5 with a 5.38 earned-run average.

“It’s embarrassing,” said Brewer Jim Gantner. “We ought to get on the bus with bags over our heads.”

* HACK MAN’S HACK: Jeffrey Leonard, with no home runs and 12 runs batted in since the All-Star break and upset by his lack of playing time, ripped Seattle Mariner Manager Jim Lefebvre recently, but it won’t get him in the lineup.

It’s a matter of dollars and sense. Leonard needs 39 at-bats for 550, at which point he automatically earns a 1991 salary of $1.1 million. But the Mariners want no part of Leonard again and can buy him out of 1991 for $150,000 if he fails to get the 550 at-bats.