If Darryl Flops, Ovation Becomes a Bronx Cheer

Darryl Strawberry got a standing ovation before his first at-bat this season at Yankee Stadium, but it be a lot more meaningful if he gets one before his last at-bat. . . .

Cookie Rojas did a heck of a job as interim manager of the Florida Marlins. . . .

Only in 1996 could Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs have 27 home runs and a reserved seat in front of his TV set for the All-Star game. . . .

In traditional style the day before the All-Star break, National League managers used 46 relief pitchers in seven games on Sunday. . . .

Look for John Smoltz to end his losing streak tonight. . . .

Rookie outfielder Darin Erstad deserves a spot on the Angel roster even after Jim Edmonds comes off the disabled list. . . .

Erstad has demonstrated that even the punters at Nebraska are fast. . . .

Dodger pitchers hate Coors Field, but hitting coach Reggie Smith said, “I’m glad we played there. Hitting is contagious and our hitters got their confidence back even though we lost three out of four.” . . .

Eric Karros’ power numbers, 20 home runs and 53 runs batted in, are staggering considering the slow start he had. . . .

Among other things I like about Todd Hollandsworth is his aggressiveness. The other day, he took out Colorado shortstop Walt Weiss at second base to prevent a double play. . . .

The Rockies miss Larry Walker, who travels with the club but is at least five weeks away from a return to the active roster after suffering a broken left collarbone. . . .

Dodger pitchers have committed 13 balks, more than twice as many as any other staff in the major leagues. . . .

Remember Mike Tyson the infielder? He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1972 to ’79 and the Chicago Cubs in 1980-81. Didn’t have any punch, though, and hit only 27 home runs in his career. . . .

I wonder if the Baltimore Orioles still think Johnny Oates is a lousy manager. . . .

Look-alikes: Dan O’Brien and David Justice. . . .

The best thing that could have happened to the Dream Team was the scare given it by the U.S. 22-and-under all-stars. . . .

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Highlight of the first week of the Summer Pro League at the Pyramid in Long Beach will be a game matching the Magic Johnson All-Stars and Chinese Olympic team Friday night at 7:30. . . .

NBA scout Marty Blake says Kerry Kittles, drafted by New Jersey with the eighth pick, reminds him of Reggie Miller when he was taken by Indiana with the 11th pick in 1987. . . .

USC Coach Henry Bibby doesn’t believe the lack of an on-campus arena is a hardship, saying the nearby Sports Arena is “an excellent facility.” . . .

I’m still campaigning for the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA to be renamed in the memory of Bruin graduate Arthur Ashe. . . .

Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, who won the L.A. title in 1992 and 1993, heads the field for the Infiniti Open July 29-Aug. 4. Among others entered are Michael Chang, Michael Stich and Stefan Edberg. . . .

Inside Sports magazine ranks Florida State No. 1 in its college football preview, USC 10th, Stanford 20th, and Arizona State 24th. Tennessee, which plays UCLA on Sept. 7 at Knoxville, is ranked No. 2. . . .

No California schools play football in the Big West Conference although the league office is in Irvine. . . .

San Bernardino native and USC alumnus Dave Stockton’s victory in the U.S. Senior Open was his 12th on the Senior tour, one more than he had on the PGA tour. . . .

A new medication that has been successful in repairing tendon damage to horses might lead to a comeback by Cavonnier, who was injured in the Belmont Stakes after being beaten by a nose in the Kentucky Derby. . . .

From the Associated Press’ daily report on the Tour de France bicycle race: “Tour Tidbit: Winds up to 62 mph and six inches of snow stopped the racers.” . . .

Every time I read about the havoc that a hurricane causes, I think the University of Miami ought to change its nickname. The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes don’t do much for me, either. . . .

During the CBS radio broadcast of Baltimore’s victory over Boston on Sunday, Jerry Coleman, giving partial scores of two other baseball games, said, “Those are the only part-time scores.”