BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Fashion Statement in Visitors’ Clubhouse

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda couldn’t decide who looked better in earrings--Omar Daal or Raul Mondesi. What he did know is that his players were sitting around the visiting team clubhouse in Cincinnati before Friday’s game wearing some of the worst-looking clip earrings you’ll ever see.

“All I know is that when I came in, I heard someone say, ‘Grab your earrings,’ ” said Tom Candiotti, who sat in his locker reading while wearing a dangling, beaded number.

Roger McDowell, with the financial assistance of Brett Butler, had spent $150 on 25 pairs of earrings.

It was the players’ way of spoofing Cincinnati Red owner Marge Schott’s recent remark about men who wear earrings being “fruits.” The original plan was to wear the earrings during the national anthem, but they did not.

Schott issued a written apology minutes after the game began.

“I am sorry if I offended anyone with a remark I made during a speech on Wednesday,” she said in the statement. “I did not mean to say anything insensitive. What I was trying to say was that I am quite proud that our players have traditionally been clean shaven and earring-free while wearing a Cincinnati Reds uniform. . . .

“Neither I, nor anyone in the Cincinnati Reds organization, is prejudiced against any group, regardless of lifestyle preference.”

McDowell’s shopping spree grew out of a comment announcer Rick Monday made to Butler after reading about Schott’s remark: “If you guys had any guts, you would wear earrings in Cincinnati.”

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The Reds recalled right-handed pitcher John Roper from their triple-A team and he will pitch today against Ramon Martinez. Tim Pugh, originally scheduled to pitch today, will pitch Sunday.