Mota Has Day to Remember

Before Wednesday night’s game against Florida, Manny Mota was honored for his 30 years of service with the Dodgers as a player and coach. It was the finishing segment to “Manny Mota Day” as he was also honored in the morning by the Los Angeles City Council.

“I’m so proud and grateful to be a part of the L.A. family because this is a beautiful city,” said Mota, who played with the Dodgers from 1969 to 1982 and still holds the major league record for pinch hits. What made the day even more special for Mota, whose wife, Margarita, joined him in the pregame ceremony, was that it came on the anniversary of the birth of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente,

“This is one of the biggest honors which I’ve received in my life,” Mota said. “They could not have chosen a better day to honor me because it is the day that my idol, Roberto Clemente, was born.”

A dinner and fund-raising auction for Mota will be held on Aug. 28 at California Plaza. The charity event will benefit the Manny Mota International Foundation and its work in Los Angeles and the Dominican Republic, Mota’s homeland.

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Don’t look for pitcher Carlos Perez to be recalled from triple-A Albuquerque any time soon. Perez has thrown hard in his limited starts in the minors but he has been hit hard in his last two starts and Dodger Manager Davey Johnson is not sure when he’ll return.

“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be called up,” Johnson said. “He needs at least a couple of more starts. He may be a September call-up.”

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Right-hander Robinson Checo is scheduled to pitch tonight as he begins rehabilitation assignment with class-A San Bernardino.

Checo is recovering from a strained right groin muscle and hopes to throw five innings in his first start.

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Utility infielder Tripp Cromer, on the disabled list since July 6 because of an irregular heartbeat, is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment with San Bernardino on Aug. 27 with the plan for him to be called up when rosters are expanded Sept. 1.