BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : New Patch Honors Drysdale, Campy

A patch honoring the memory of former Dodgers Roy Campanella and Don Drysdale was added to Dodger uniforms in time for the start of the team’s doubleheader against the Mets Thursday in New York. Campanella died June 26 and Drysdale last Saturday.

The black patch, on the right sleeve, has the numbers and first names of the Hall of Famers embroidered in blue and white: 39ROY, DON53. The Dodgers are already wearing a patch on the left sleeve honoring former Dodger Tim Crews, who was killed in a boating accident during spring training.

A button replica of the Campanella-Drysdale patch will be worn by Dodger employees and will be on sale at Dodger Stadium, with proceeds going to the Roy and Roxie Campanella Physical Therapy Scholarship Fund and the Don Drysdale Foundation, Inc.

*

Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ executive vice president, inquired recently about the availability of the Chicago Cubs’ left-handed reliever, Chuck McElroy, but was told by Chicago General Manager Larry Himes that McElroy is not available. Claire said Himes is not interested in parting with McElroy, even though he had been sent down recently to their triple-A club.

*

Rick Trlicek, who said his arm went dead in the 20th inning Wednesday, was examined by Dr. Luga Podesta, who said the condition was caused by fatigue. Trlicek, who pitched four-plus innings Wednesday, said his arm went dead on his last two pitches, which the Phillies hit for singles. The runners then scored the tying and winning runs when Len Dykstra hit a ground-rule double off reliever Rod Nichols.

Trlicek said the situation scared him because he had suffered similar symptoms before having a nerve removed in his right arm in August.

*

Ramon Martinez dropped his appeal and began serving his five-game suspension for intentionally hitting Charlie Hayes during the Dodgers’ game June 15 against the Colorado Rockies. Martinez will be available to start after the All-Star break Thursday in his regular spot in the rotation. The Mets’ Howard Johnson began serving his three-day suspension Thursday for bumping an umpire in a game earlier this season.