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Offerman Cited and Promoted

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Jose Offerman was chosen as minor league player of the year by the Sporting News Friday, then received a more meaningful endorsement.

He was named Dodger shortstop for 1991 by Manager Tom Lasorda.

“As far as I’m concerned, at this minute he is my shortstop for next year,” Lasorda said before Game 3 of the World Series.

This probably does not come as news to Alfredo Griffin, who batted .168 after May last season en route to a .210 average in 461 at-bats with 26 errors. Griffin is starting the final year of his contract.

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If Offerman had played the season’s final month the way he played in his first two games after being recalled Aug. 17--he went four for nine with a home run--he would have ended the year as the starter. Instead, he had only five hits in his final 49 at-bats and finished with a .155 average and four errors in 29 games.

Offerman led triple-A Albuquerque in hitting with a .326 average and the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases with 60.

Another Sporting News award-winner was the Angels’ Dave Winfield, named American League comeback player of the year.

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