Watch for It

Ten things to keep an eye on in the second half:

* 1. Assault on the record book: Will Mark McGwire or Ken Griffey Jr. eclipse Roger Maris’ home run mark? Can Tony Gwynn or Larry Walker hit .400? Does Sandy Alomar Jr. have Joe DiMaggio worried?

* 2: Possibility of McGwire being traded before the July 31 non-waiver deadline: The Oakland first baseman yearns for Southern California, but St. Louis might be a better bet.

* 3: Addition of Hideki Irabu to the New York Yankee rotation: How long before George Steinbrenner yells at his $12.8-million Japanese import, and Irabu asks his interpreter, “What did he say?”

* 4: Return of Robin Ventura to the Chicago White Sox lineup, joining Albert Belle and Frank Thomas: Question is, will Belle choose to sit out, as he did in the All-Star game, when the White Sox meet the Cleveland Indians in a three-game series at Jacobs Field that could decide the American League’s Central Division title in late August?

* 5: Kickoff series between Dodgers and San Francisco Giants starting tonight: Dodgers say their National League West title hopes are at stake in the four games. Barry Bonds laughs, says nothing is won or lost in July. Fred Claire says he has an eye on Wilton Guerrero’s shoulder injury. Rumors of a possible trade for a second baseman are rampant. John Valentin? Mike Lansing?

* 6: Appointment of outgoing Toronto Blue Jay president Paul Beeston as baseball’s chief operating officer: Bud Selig continues to deny it, but many believe Beeston’s hiring means Selig will become full-time commissioner.

* 7: Pittsburgh’s bid to win with mirrors rather than millions: The Pirates are amazing, but can anyone play .500 in the National League Central? A parody rather than parity.

* 8: Managerial hot seats: Kansas City’s firing of Bob Boone was a surprise. Toronto’s firing of Cito Gaston won’t be.

* 9: September showdown: The Yankees and Baltimore Orioles meet eight times in 11 days, which should decide the AL East race and could decide the AL wild card. It behooves the Angels to stay close in the hope the Orioles dominate the Yankees. Will Disney step up for a pitcher or McGwire?

* 10: Realignment: Likely announcement of modest changes for ‘98, with more sweeping changes in the future. Too many clubs are still too absorbed in their own self-interest to get it all done in one step.