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BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Worrell Wouldn’t Take It Personally

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Dodger closer Todd Worrell has every right to gloat if he’s selected today to the All-Star team, and few could blame him for lashing out at his critics of the last few years.

This, after all, is the same pitcher who was lustily booed during the Dodgers’ opening-night ceremonies.

It’s also the same pitcher who had nearly a flawless season until Saturday night, yielding a 0.00 ERA in 25 appearances and converting all 12 save situations before Colorado ruined that streak.

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Yet, he says he has no hard feelings for the way he has been treated and that an All-Star selection would be an honor only if the entire team shared in the achievement.

“It’s not that I wouldn’t consider it a privilege to be there,” Worrell said, “but personal awards aren’t what this game is all about. I think a lot of guys allow their whole lives to get caught up to be at the All-Star game or World Series. When that’s all you live for, and you do reach it, you get let down.

“Sometimes individual awards become distractions to those trying to achieve them. Tommy [Lasorda] has tried to impress upon us that we win together, and we lose together. When you don’t execute, it casts a shadow on everyone.”

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Colorado center fielder Mike Kingery, who has four daughters, is eagerly awaiting a call from his wife, who’s due today with their fifth child.

“Hey, I’ve got to lead the league in something,” Kingery said. “I don’t know anyone else in the big leagues who has five daughters.”

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Pitcher John Cummings, who attended USC after being raised in Anaheim, had no problem finding a place to live after being recalled to the Dodgers. He moved right back into his house in Laguna Niguel. “It just feels great to be back in the big leagues again,” said Cummings, who has been at double-A San Antonio since being claimed off waivers in May. “A lot of people don’t know I’m here yet, but I’m sure they’ll find out real quick.” . . . Reliever Jose Parra, who was at triple-A Albuquerque, said his biggest surprise was that the destination of his plane ticket was Los Angeles. “When the manager [Rick Dempsey] called me into his office, he reminded me that the last time he called me in he nearly sent me down to San Antonio,” Parra said. “This time, he said, ‘You’re going up.’ I said, ‘You’re kidding me’ ”

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