BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Clinton Not an Advocate of Strike

A few sportswriters were having lunch at a barbecue joint in Kansas City on Tuesday afternoon when President Bill Clinton stopped by the table, introduced himself, and talked about the possible baseball strike.

Will there be a strike, Mr. President?

“I hope not, but it sure looks that way, doesn’t it?” Clinton said.

It sure does.

“You wouldn’t think they would (strike) with the kind of money they’re making. The last time it happened, it wrecked the whole season. You hate to see it because everybody’s hitting so great.

“This is the best offensive season in 40 years. There may not be another season like this for another 40 years.”

Clinton was told the owners were proposing a new labor agreement Tuesday and then was asked if he would intervene.

Clinton laughed, turned to walk away, and said: “Those guys (players) are doing pretty good, aren’t they?”

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Angel second baseman Rex Hudler was activated from the disabled list when the Angels traded left fielder Dwight Smith to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league shortstop Feliciano Mercedes or minor league catcher Bo Ortiz.

The Angels’ first choice is Mercedes, 20, but they want to wait to see how he responds when he returns from the disabled list at Class-A Frederick. Mercedes is batting .237 with no homers and 19 runs batted in. Ortiz, 24, is batting .318 with eight homers and 37 RBIs at double-A Bowie.

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Angel broadcaster Ken Brett, when asked if his brother, George Brett, misses playing baseball after his illustrious career: “This year, he went to the Kentucky Derby, he went to the Masters, and he just came back from the Bahamas.

“He doesn’t miss it at all.”