BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Steinbrenner Says He Wants Showalter

George Steinbrenner, talking about a meeting scheduled for today with Manager Buck Showalter, told the New York Post, “I’m going to do my best to convince him to stay with us. I like Buck. He’s one of my guys.” There had been speculation surrounding Davey Johnson and Tony La Russa as possible managerial candidates. Johnson has already been told by Cincinnati he will not be back next season. La Russa is still the Oakland manager, but has been given permission to explore other opportunities.

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Negotiations that could move the Houston Astros to Virginia were confirmed by the team owner Drayton McLane. He said he had held talks with Virginia-based businessman William Collins, who wants to buy the team and move it to the Washington area. . . . The Philadelphia Phillies said they will pick up the option on Manager Jim Fregosi’s contract through the 1997 season. The Phillies also named former Boston Red Sox manager Butch Hobson as manager of their farm team in Scranton Wilkes-Barre, Pa. . . . Mickey Tettleton of the Texas Rangers will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today.