NAMES AND NUMBERS

Commissioner Fay Vincent is expected to brief owners at a New York meeting this week, then announce that George Steinbrenner will be allowed to return as managing partner of the New York Yankees, his reinstatement becoming official in December.

Andre Dawson, who leads the Chicago Cubs in batting average, home runs and runs batted in, was fitted with a brace for his left knee this week in the hope he can postpone surgery until after the season. Dawson’s right knee has been operated on four times, and the left has already been drained twice this year.

“Ultimately, I’ll have to have surgery, but I’m trying to bite the bullet now and go as hard as I can,” he said.

The Chicago White Sox batted only .179 on a 1-8 trip that ended Wednesday. Steve Sax, at that point, had only six hits in his last 52 at-bats, his average dropping 72 points to .224, but Sax disputes the contention of some that he is befuddled by controversial batting coach Walt Hrniak.

“Don’t blame Walt,” he said. “I don’t want anybody to say that because of Walt I’m not hitting. It’s my responsibility, and I’ll get out of it. I’ve done it before.”

Add Sox: Bobby Thigpen and Scott Radinsky converted 14 of their first 15 save opportunities, but each have blown their last two, and there is concern among the White Sox because Thigpen is registering only 85 to 88 m.p.h. on the speed gun.

Said Thigpen, normally in the 90s: “I’ve never put much stock in the gun. It’s where you throw the ball, not how hard.”