Garciaparra Likely to Be Activated

The Dodgers are expected to activate Nomar Garciaparra today after a rehab assignment with triple-A Las Vegas and ship James Loney back to Las Vegas to clear a spot on the roster.

Garciaparra, who has yet to play for the Dodgers because of a strain on the right side of his rib cage, was scheduled to appear Friday night against Fresno in his second game for Las Vegas.

The Dodgers moved the five-time All-Star shortstop to first base this spring.

“[Loney] made a good showing,” Manager Grady Little said, “but he still needs to try to get better. And that takes time.”

Loney was batting .194 in 36 at-bats before Friday night’s game against Arizona, but singled and doubled in his first two at-bats.

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No cheering in the press box. And that means you, Mr. Cub.

Dodger public relations director Josh Rawitch said he was stunned that he is being portrayed across the country as the press box tyrant who told Chicago Cub Hall of Famer Ernie Banks to shut up.

When Cub right fielder Jacque Jones threw out Sandy Alomar at the plate in the sixth inning Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, Rawitch heard cheering from a group behind him. When he realized Banks was part of the group, Rawitch said, he gave him permission to root.

“I wouldn’t get on a Hall of Famer,” Rawitch insisted.

Banks told the Chicago Tribune: “It was a wonderful play and I was just enthusiastic about the Cubs playing well and getting the chance to come back, which they eventually did. I forgot about the rule. The man was very nice about it.... I said I was sorry. I should have known. I remember Jerome Holtzman’s book, ‘No Cheering in the Press Box.’ ”

The incident was related in a blog and has spread to various media outlets. Rawitch, however, insists he has a standard.

“I don’t tell people who have hit 500 home runs to shut up,” he said. “Someone with 499, maybe.”

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Former Dodger manager Tom Lasorda was presented with a gold medal by Major League Baseball before the game for serving as “ambassador at large” for the first World Baseball Classic.

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The Dodgers will honor broadcaster Rick Monday on Sunday, two days shy of the 30th anniversary of his memorable save at Dodger Stadium.

Monday wasn’t on the mound on April 25, 1976; he was in center field. He wasn’t a Dodger; he was a Cub.

What he saved was an American flag that two spectators had brought onto the grass in left-center field and were attempting to burn. Monday ran over and yanked the flag away before it was singed.

“It’s like driving down the street and seeing someone in trouble,” Monday said. “Either you jump out of your car and help them, or you just sit there.”