Bowa Edges Tracy in NL

Larry Bowa, who took over an inexperienced club and led the Philadelphia Phillies to 86 victories, was a narrow winner over the Dodgers’ Jim Tracy as the Sporting News’ National League manager of the year.

Bowa got five votes, one more than Tracy. Don Baylor of the Chicago Cubs was third.

“An award like this means a lot, especially when it is picked by your peers,” Bowa says.

Seattle’s Lou Piniella won the American League honor after the Mariners won 116 games.

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Arizona Manager Bob Brenly, known for playing hunches and going against the book, is at it again as he prepares to lead the Diamondbacks into the World Series.

After the team’s workout Tuesday night, Brenly told left-hander Brian Anderson that he will start Game 3 next Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

“It’s strange how things work,” said Anderson, who lost his spot in the rotation in August, but twice pitched well out of the bullpen in the postseason.

The decision means right-hander Miguel Batista will go in Game 4, unless the Diamondbacks are in deep trouble and must bring Game 1 starter Curt Schilling back on three days’ rest.

Anderson was 4-9 in the regular season with a 5.20 earned-run average.

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The Angels formally exercised their 2002 option on closer Troy Percival, guaranteeing him a $5.25-million contract next season.

Percival would rather fulfill that contract for another team. Percival asked to be traded three weeks ago, angry after he said a club official disclosed details of failed negotiations for a contract extension.

Although Angel executives hope for a reconciliation, agent Paul Cohen said Tuesday the team has not requested a meeting with Percival and said Percival, 32, has not backed off his trade request.

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The Oakland Athletics have dropped their opposition to first baseman Jason Giambi’s insistence on a no-trade clause for a new contract, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The A’s and Giambi had reportedly agreed on a six-year, $91-million contract during spring training this season, but talks stalled when it came to the reigning AL most valuable player’s desire for the no-trade clause.

The concession does not mean that Giambi, who is eligible to become a free agent at the end of the World Series, has a contract agreement with the A’s, General Manager Billy Beane said.

“He’s going to test the waters,” Beane told the newspaper. “He’s earned that right. He could well be the MVP again this year. But I’m still optimistic.”

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Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said the city will have a celebration for the New York Yankees if the team wins the World Series, although he wouldn’t say if there would be a ticker-tape parade.

“We can’t talk about it yet,” Giuliani said in the Yankee clubhouse following Monday night’s 12-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. “But believe me, we’re going to celebrate.”

The route the Yankees have used after winning four World Series in the last five years is a few blocks from the former site of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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San Francisco outfielder Barry Bonds and New York Met catcher Mike Piazza won their ninth Silver Slugger awards.

The selections, honoring the best offensive players at each position in each league, were determined by voting of major league managers and coaches.

Angel third baseman Troy Glaus was the only Dodger or Angel to be honored.

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The Houston Astros said they will interview Jim Fregosi and Jimy Williams today for their vacant managerial position. Fregosi and Williams will join Mike Cubbage, Tony Pena and Jerry Royster as candidates to replace Larry Dierker, who resigned last week. ... Outgoing Cleveland general manager John Hart finished two days of interviews with Texas owner Tom Hicks for the Rangers’ vacant GM position. ... Hitting coach Merv Rettenmund was let go by the Atlanta Braves, who hit only .260 this season--.247 in the postseason.