Would L.A. Put Bonds in Whirl of Hurt?

The Dodger-Giant rivalry is heated enough without oral jousting, and San Francisco Manager Dusty Baker acknowledges that.

But that didn’t stop Baker from adding fuel to the fire Friday when he intimated there could be problems during the teams’ three-game series stemming from an incident involving all-star slugger Barry Bonds last season.

Baker said he “heard” the Dodgers were still upset because Bonds did a little pirouette at home plate after hitting a first-inning, two-run home run in the Giants’ 2-1 victory on Sept. 17 at 3Com Park. The Giants won both games of that key series, tied the Dodgers in the National League West standings and won the division title.

Baker said the Dodgers haven’t forgotten Bonds’ move--or forgiven him.

“A couple of good sources I have over with the Dodgers tell me they’re still upset with Barry, and they’d love to drill him [with a pitch],” Baker said. “Why is it OK for them [to celebrate], and it’s not OK for us?”

Manager Glenn Hoffman wasn’t the Dodgers’ leader during that showdown with the Giants, and he avoided furthering the controversy.

“Not a word has been said about that over here--nothing,” Hoffman said. “The players aren’t talking about that. What they’re talking about is the wind and the dust picking up in here [the stadium].”

For what it’s worth, there weren’t any problems Friday. Bonds went 0 for 3 with a walk and scored a run.

Embellishing stories to inspire teams is a time-honored managerial ploy. Was Baker employing motivational skills?

“I really wouldn’t know about that,” Hoffman said. “I think you’d have to ask him about that.”

Well?

“I don’t sell no wolf tickets,” Baker said, denying that he was crying wolf. “I don’t like threats, and I don’t respond well to them. We don’t start nothing, but we don’t take nothing either.”

Baker questioned how, based on what he said he was told, the Dodgers could take exception with Bonds’ celebration, after what occurred in 1993?

The Dodgers defeated the Giants, 12-1, on the final day of the regular season, preventing the Giants from winning the West title and ending their season. Several Giants were upset by what they perceived as excessive celebrating in the Dodger dugout.

Bonds is the Giants’ lone remaining member of that team.

“The way they pounded us in 1993, how can they be mad at a pirouette?” Baker asked. “Why is what’s good for one not good for the other?”

Tom Lasorda is among the favorite targets of the Giants’ zealous fans, and they attacked him in their usual manner.

The interim general manager was booed from the moment he walked on the field during batting practice. Some fans shouted obscenities at Lasorda, but their comments were mostly good-natured.

Showing his appreciation, Lasorda blew the crowd a kiss.

“It’s always good to hear those fans who love me,” he said in jest.

TODAY DODGERS’

DAVE MLICKI

(3-4, 4.40 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

MARK GARDNER

(7-3, 4.95 ERA)

3Com Park, San Francisco, 1 p.m.

TV--Channel 11. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

Update--This is the second of 12 meetings between the rivals this season. Mlicki has pitched well in his last two starts, giving up two earned runs in 13 innings for a 1.38 ERA. But he failed to get a decision in those games.