Williams Takes Pleasure in Langston’s Failure

Dick Williams never held the same managerial job for more than five seasons during his distinguished 21-year career, but the man can hold a grudge with the best of them.

Williams, who managed six different teams from 1967-88, called Mark Langston “gutless” in his 1990 book, “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and it’s obvious his feelings for the San Diego Padre left-hander have not changed.

In an interview with Newsday’s Jon Heyman, Williams, now a consultant to Yankee Owner George Steinbrenner, said he “enjoyed” watching Langston, the former Angel, give up a game-winning grand slam to Tino Martinez in New York’s 9-6 victory in Game 1 on Saturday night.

“It thrilled me,” Williams said. “It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy that I know of.”

Williams, who managed Langston in Seattle and Montreal, believed Langston didn’t have the stomach to pitch in big games.

“He didn’t have a gut in his whole body,” Williams said. “David Wells he is not. David Wells has more guts than you could shake a stick at.”

Langston did not seem too stung by Williams’ remarks. “I’m happy to bring some joy to his life,” he said Monday. “He’s not a happy man. Life is short. You don’t need to be bitter your whole life.”

Williams apparently doesn’t mind. He acknowledged he was fired in Seattle in 1988 shortly after leaving Langston in too long in a game when Langston was not very effective.

“The last time out I hung him out to dry, and I got canned,” Williams said. “But it was worth it.”

Said Langston: “I wish there was nothing between us. There is from his standpoint, but not from mine.”

*

Who’s on first? That would be Martinez for the Yankees tonight. Who’s in left field? Good question.

Manager Joe Torre said he would choose between Tim Raines, Chad Curtis, Shane Spencer and Chili Davis.

But Torre said Davis, the team’s designated hitter who has not played the outfield regularly since 1988, is more of a “wild card” who would likely pinch-hit tonight and possibly start in left in Game 4 if Raines, Curtis or Spencer do not produce.

And that’s fine with Davis, who set a franchise record for outfield errors with 19 for the Angels in 1988 and has played only two games out there since.

“I won’t be World Series MVP, but that’s all right. All I care about is winning that trophy,” Davis said.

If Davis is pressed into outfield duty, how proficient would he be? “I can do a better job than [New York Met catcher-turned-outfielder] Todd Hundley,” Davis said. “I can make the routine play.”

Torre added that left-handed hitting Ricky Ledee will not start tonight, but the hot-hitting rookie could start Game 4 against Padre right-hander Kevin Brown.

*

San Diego pitching coach Dave Stewart was not too thrilled with Ken Caminiti’s comments after Game 2, when the Padre third baseman admitted “it’s hard to relax when [Yankee Stadium fans] are telling you you suck every two minutes.”

Said Stewart: “That’s B.S. You’re not supposed to be affected by the crowd. You’re supposed to take the crowd out of the game.

“If you’re affected by the crowd, you’re not getting your job done.”

TONIGHT’S PITCHERS

YANKEES’ DAVE CONE (20-7, 2-0) vs. PADRES’ STERLING HITCHCOCK (9-7, 3-0)

Site--Qualcomm Stadium.

Time--5:20 p.m.

TV--Channel 11

* Update--For the Padres to have any chance of slowing a Yankee offense that has scored 18 runs and has 25 hits, including four homers, in two Series games, San Diego pitchers need to return to the pitbull approach that worked for them all season. “The Yankees are having easy at-bats, because they’re not worried about us pitching inside,” Stewart said. “We have to do what we do best and be aggressive.”