BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Author Won’t Take It Back

Darryl Strawberry was near tears Tuesday at Vero Beach, Fla., when he became angry at New York reporters during a news conference promoting his soon-to-be-released autobiography, “Darryl,” written with Art Rust Jr.

“You guys are sick up there, there’s nothing to hide about it, you guys are sick,” he said to New York reporters questioning his various allegations in the book.

Part of the book involves Dwight Gooden, whom Strawberry linked with possible cocaine use during the 1986 National League championship series.

“If he was using cocaine during that series, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least,” Strawberry wrote.

Gooden was offended by the allegations, saying, “I am shocked he would say that.”

Other Mets were also upset with some of the charges, causing Strawberry to say, “Then tell them don’t buy the book. That’s life. I could care less what the Mets think about me. If they don’t want to be my friend because of my life story . . . too bad.”

Strawberry said he would not be like basketball star Charles Barkley and back down from anything written.

“I ain’t taking none of it back,” Strawberry said. “It has all come out and I’m proud of it.”

After four uneventful innings at first base in an intrasquad game, Kal Daniels announced that he is ready to play the position permanently.

“I think I can play first base,” Daniels said after his first game there in several years. “Each day I am growing more comfortable with the hand and footwork involved. Actually, I sort of like it.”

The Dodgers are expected to sweeten an original offer of $700,000 to about $725,000 before renewing the contract of unhappy pitcher Ramon Martinez tonight.

Martinez is headed toward an opening-day start by starting the team’s first exhibition Thursday in West Palm Beach. Martinez will face the Atlanta Braves’ Steve Avery.

Nearly one-fifth of Tom Candiotti’s 22 pitches in the intrasquad game Tuesday were in the dirt. There were a passed ball, two wild pitches, and one “save” of a pitch in the dirt by catcher Mike Scioscia.

Rookie Raul Mondesi was the offensive star with two hits, one a home run. Neither Strawberry nor Eric Davis played.