BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Less Turmoil for Replacements Elsewhere

It’s the question inquiring minds want to know:

If calling up a replacement player, third baseman Mike Busch, has caused such reaction in the clubhouse and caused such a rift between players and fans, why hasn’t this gone on in other cities?

Why aren’t the Milwaukee Brewers, with two replacement players on their roster now and as many as three during the season, experiencing problems? In fact, Brewer owner Bud Selig says, “The harmony and unity in our clubhouse has been the best it’s been in 26 years.”

Why aren’t the Kansas City Royals, who had as many as four replacement players, experiencing problems? How about Boston? Or Texas? Of course, players from the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres convinced management to change their minds before problems developed.

So why the reaction in Los Angeles?

“To say it hasn’t been an issue in our clubhouse would not be the truth,” Brewer pitcher Bob Scanlan, a union activist, said. “Believe me, we’ve had our own controversies, it’s just that nobody hears of them.

“People don’t have any idea what’s going on in Milwaukee because it’s such a small market. I mean, being here in Milwaukee, it took three years for people to know who Robin Yount was.

“I wish I could really talk about it, because there’s been so many interesting things going on. But it leaves such a bad taste in people’s mouths that you can’t.”

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Brewer pitcher Brian Givens, a replacement player, said he can sympathize with Busch.

“For the most part, the guys here have been pretty good about it,” Givens said. “But I know some guys are still angry and upset. There are guys who won’t hang out with me.

“The best thing Mike can do is play well, and that will take care of a lot of problems. It will get better for him. There’s a big difference in the attitude now and the attitude of guys when I got there.”

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Pitcher Hideo Nomo, who had a fake nail put on his right index finger, played catch with pitching coach Dave Wallace instead of pitching on the side.

The Dodgers and Nomo remain hopeful he’ll be able to start Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Shortstop Jose Offerman, who said he has been bothered by a sore shoulder for the last week, was kept out of the lineup and replaced by rookie Chad Fonville. Offerman, who has made five errors in his last three games, is expected to return to the lineup Monday.