BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Tommy John Gives a History Lesson

There was a reunion of former Dodgers on the holiday weekend, culminating in Sunday’s old-timers’ game at Dodger Stadium. Tommy John said the best part of these affairs is the chance to reminisce.

“The players today have no idea of baseball history and no interest in it,” the former pitcher said. “They have no idea of who Fred Merkle was. They have no idea of what Coogan’s Bluff was. They think it was a Clint Eastwood movie.”

Reminiscing about Dr. Frank Jobe’s pioneer elbow surgery that sustained his career and has now become common, John said, “I should get a finder’s fee. I should get 10%.”

Mike Williams, who gained his first major league victory in his second start Sunday, is the sixth rookie pitcher to start for the Philadelphia Phillies this year, the 13th starter overall and the 20th different pitcher. Ken Howell, Jose DeJesus, Andy Ashby and Tommy Greene, all projected as preseason starters, are on the disabled list, with Howell and DeJesus sidelined for the season. . . . The Dodgers signed Colorado high school pitcher David Spykstra, their third pick in the June draft, for a bonus of $200,000.