BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT

Bobby Thigpen went from a major league record 57 saves with the Chicago White Sox in 1990 to 30 in ‘91, 22 in ’92 and one in 25 appearances this year before being traded to the Phillies, where he has been used primarily in mop up or middle relief.

Scouts believe his 395 appearances over a six-year span with the White Sox robbed him of the pop on his fastball. Thigpen contends that Gene Lamont, who became manager in ‘92, simply wanted his own man in the closer role and went to Roberto Hernandez.

“Gene came in thinking he had to win as many as he could as fast as he could to keep his job,” Thigpen said. “I’d been struggling a little, Roberto came on to do a great job, and I was left to deal with a familiar dilemma: Is he not throwing as well because he’s not throwing as much or is he not throwing as much because he’s not throwing as well?”

Thigpen had two option years left on his Chicago contract at $7 million. The option became guaranteed if he was traded, but Thigpen, desperate for a fresh start and the chance to become a free agent at the end of the season, agreed to the Phillies’ request to waive the $7 million when acquired on Aug. 8.

“I just don’t feel I do my best job when I pitch in the fifth and sixth inning,” he said. “I want to get back to a situation where I’m pitching with the game on the line. I’m confident I still can, and I’ll be looking for that kind of situation this winter.

“The guys here have included me in everything, and I’ve enjoyed coming this far with them, but I really haven’t felt part of it.”