BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Aug. 10 Forfeit to Cardinals Stands

There was more suspense to the Mike Tyson-Peter McNeely fight than National League President Len Coleman’s ruling, but it finally was made official Thursday when he upheld the Dodgers’ Aug. 10 forfeiture to the St. Louis Cardinals.

“In approaching my decision,” Coleman wrote in a five-page opinion, “the safety of players, umpires, and of course, the fans themselves must be paramount. In a real sense it was fortuitous that no one was hurt; baseballs were thrown randomly onto the field, some from the upper deck. . . .

“I believe the conduct of several hundred fans on Aug. 10 created a sufficient danger that the umpire’s decision to forfeit the game was justifiable and correct. . . . Umpires must have full support in the exercise of their judgment in order to perform the difficult job that we ask them to do.

“Thus, I would be reluctant to reverse [Jim] Quick’s decision this important safety issue absent clear evidence that Quick’s judgment was egregiously flawed. No such evidence is present. To the contrary, there is substantial support.”

The Dodger management was upset and surprised with the decision.

“I disagree with it and am disappointed in it,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “There was an opportunity to correct something that should have been corrected. My hope now is that this will lead to much clearer, precise guidelines on the forfeit rules. I hope something constructive comes out of it for the good of the game.

“But the decision has been made. I don’t want to dwell on it. It’s gone. It’s past. And I don’t see anything constructive to keep thinking about it.”

Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda also was upset with the ruling, but most of all, still is angry with umpire Bob Davidson for accusing him of instigating the ball-throwing incident that caused the forfeiture. Lasorda was arguing with home-plate umpire Quick in the ninth inning while the latest array of balls were thrown onto the field.

“They accused me of starting the thing when I was the one who tried to stop it,” Lasorda said. “He thought I was trying to incite the crowd. All I did was to go out and find out why my players were being ejected from the game. I still can’t believe it.”

Said catcher Mike Piazza: “It’s disappointing, but let’s face it, we were down by a run with one out in the ninth, so you’ve got to keep everything in perspective.”

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Outfielder Kevin Flora and pitcher Russ Springer never wanted to leave the Angels, but now that they’ve been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dave Gallagher, they realize it might be the best thing that ever happened to them.

Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi, in fact, asked several times whether Flora wanted to be traded to another organization after the 1993 death of his wife. Flora steadfastly declined. Now, he realizes what he was missing.

“This has been everything I’ve dreamed,” said Flora, who’s batting .389 in his last six games with two homers and five runs batted in. “I didn’t realize what a difference it would make being in a different organization. It’s like a fresh start.”

Said Springer, who was brought into the game in the sixth inning: “I have mixed feelings because those guys are in first place. I wanted to be a part of the playoffs. I’ve waited a long time for that.

“But maybe I needed this. I tried to make a big impression with those guys, but all I did was dig myself a big hole that I never came out of it.”

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The number change finally became official Thursday: Brett Butler again is wearing No. 22. Chad Fonville is now wearing No. 3, Babe Ruth’s number.

“It’s Chad’s number now,” Fonville said.

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The Phillies received a notice from the National League office to remind their mascot not to perform any stunts that could be offensive to Dodger starter Hideo Nomo or the large amount of Asian Americans that are expected to be in attendance tonight.