BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Rockies’ Walker Rationalizes Snub

Outfielder Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies was left off the All-Star team despite the fact that he’s hitting .320 and has 17 homers, second in the National League behind Red outfielder Ron Gant (18).

“I wasn’t expecting to make it,” Walker said. “I had my hopes up last year and I got shot down. I don’t have any hard feeling toward anybody. I didn’t make the team, so I didn’t make the team.

“Every year the All-Star game has its little page of players that should have gone and players that shouldn’t have gone. Once again this year when you watch the game they’ll show that little lineup on the TV that says who deserved to go and who didn’t deserve to go.”

Montreal Expo Manager Felipe Alou, who selected the reserves, was supposed to attend a banquet with Walker when the Expos visit Denver this week, but canceled after leaving Walker off the team.

Walker spent seven seasons with Montreal before signing with the Rockies as a free agent.

“I’m sure Felipe looked over his options and did what he had to do,” Walker said. “I get the feeling that he doesn’t feel good about it because we were supposed to be in a banquet together in Colorado when they come to town, and he just backed out of it.”

Walker said he’ll work on his golf swing during the All-Star break.

“I’ve got three solid days of golf to try to get my handicap back down to where it was before the strike ended,” Walker said.

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Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi, the National League Rookie of the Year, was selected to play in his first All-Star game.

“Raul is the reason they must have started the All-Star game in the first place,” Dodger Executive Vice President Fred Claire said. “So the world can see the greatest talent in the game. Raul Mondesi can turn every single game he plays into an All-Star game.”

Mondesi was happy to be chosen.

“Last year I make Rookie of the Year, this year I make the All-Star team,” Mondesi said. “All I need now is a World Series.”