Mcdonald Hopes Sardine Diet Helps Him Cut Mustard

BALTIMORE - Ben McDonald will be eating mustard sardines tonight, which can only mean one thing: The No. 1 pick in last year's free-agent draft is finally going to get his first major-league start.

McDonald, whose previous 12 major-league appearances have been in relief, will get his first start as a Baltimore Oriole tomorrow against the Chicago White Sox. He'll also get his initial chance to learn whether his ritual of downing a can of mustard sardines the night before will bring him luck.

``I haven't been eating them lately because I've been in the bullpen since I've been here,'' McDonald said. ``I started eating the sardines before starts when I was in college, and like any other superstition, I've kept on doing it.''

McDonald came to the Orioles after a stellar career at Louisiana State University in which he was 29-14 with 373 strikeouts in 308 innings. He pitched 44 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings at one point and struck out 15 of 19 batters he faced against Stephen F. Austin.

``I'm not viewing this as a one-time deal. I don't think if I go out there and pitch great that I'll be in the rotation forever. And if I go out there and have a terrible outing, I don't think they will give me one chance and that will be it.''

In other words, McDonald wasn't planning on going to the supermarket and buying just one can of mustard sardines.

Steinbrenner confident

-- NEW YORK - George Steinbrenner admits he doesn't like the ``best interests of baseball'' power given to the commissioner. But even if that clause is applied to his case, the New York Yankees owner said he thinks Fay Vincent will clear him.

``If we had a fair hearing, if the facts are considered here, I believe we will have a favorable conclusion,'' Steinbrenner said. ``I don't believe I did anything wrong.''

``I just want a fair hearing, and I have no reason to believe I didn't get one,'' he said. ``Given a chance, I wouldn't do the same things again, but nobody is perfect. Please judge me on my record in the past.''

That's what Vincent is doing. He is expected, possibly next week, to announce what, if any, action he will take because of Steinbrenner's dealings with gambler Howard Spira and former Yankee outfielder Dave Winfield.

Bo may go on DL

-- KANSAS CITY - Bo Jackson may be put on the disabled list after medical tests indicated some minor tissue damage in his left shoulder, the team announced.

Jackson was injured Tuesday while diving for a ball in center field in a game with the Yankees.

It has not yet been decided whether Jackson would be put on the disabled list, said Royals' spokesman Steve Fink.

Broken leg idles Dunne

-- ST. LOUIS - The San Diego Padres purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher John Davis from Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League and placed pitcher Mike Dunne on 21-day disabled list with a fractured right leg.

Dunne, a former Mariner, was injured when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Chicago's Marvell Wynne July 17.

Astros activate Doran

-- HOUSTON - The Houston Astros activated second baseman Bill Doran from the 15-day disabled list yesterday and he responded by hitting a home run in the Astros' 4-3 win over Montreal.

Doran had been placed on the disabled list after sustaining a fractured left big toe at Los Angeles on June 19. He was batting .264 with one homer, 20 RBI and 12 stolen bases. To make room, Houston optioned outfielder Eric Anthony to Tuscon of the Pacific Coast League.

Norris a free agent

-- NEW YORK - Pitcher Mike Norris, 35, released by the Oakland Athletics this week, cleared waivers and became a free agent.

Any team could have claimed Norris for the $1 waiver fee, but none did. He is now eligible to sign with any club.

The right-hander was released Monday when Oakland juggled its roster after Willie Randolph was injured and pitcher Reggie Harris came off the disabled list.