Around The Majors -- `Bad Karma' Vetoes Move -- Padres Won't Recall Replacement Player

SAN DIEGO - Don't expect to see former replacement players called up to the San Diego Padres soon.

General Manager Randy Smith told Padre players last week that Class AAA outfielder Ira Smith was being considered to fill the roster spot of injured leadoff hitter Bip Roberts.

Then Randy Smith asked the players what they thought about that.

"We discussed it and said if it's going to create a problem in the clubhouse, then it shouldn't happen," Padre pitcher Andy Ashby said yesterday. "And we all voted that, well, there is bad karma with it, so we'll shut it down."

Ashby said the vote was "more or less" unanimous.

Ira Smith crossed over late in spring training, played in about 10 games and made the final 28-man roster before all replacement players were released. He is hitting .400 for the Las Vegas Stars.

The Padres instead called up Archi Cianfrocco, an infielder-outfielder who refused to cross the symbolic picket line during spring training.

Players and management stressed that management had the final say.

"We run this team," Randy Smith said.

MORE MUSTARD, PLEASE

DETROIT - "You're the only person I know who can almost die one minute and be eating a sausage the next," pitching coach Chuck Hernandez told utilityman Rex Hudler after California's sweep of Detroit.

Hudler, after playing in 91-degree heat, needed two intravenous solutions to combat heat exhaustion. He said he lost eight pounds, "thinks" he passed out and couldn't stop shaking. Angel trainer Ned Bergert said Hudler nearly suffered heat stroke.

After treatment, however, Hudler was revived, talkative and hungry. Not necessarily in that order.

VAUGHN GOES BACK TO WORK

BOSTON - Mo Vaughn returned to the Boston Red Sox starting lineup after sitting out two games because of a swollen left eye he got in a nightclub fight.

Vaughn, who leads the major leagues with 64 runs batted in, received a standing ovation from the crowd at Fenway Park as he ran onto the field.

Vaughn and his girlfriend were involved in a scuffle with a 26-year-old man early Friday. Both men filed reports with the police, but no one has been charged.

"I apologize especially to the kids for what happened and hopefully something positive will come of this," Vaughn said.

MCCLATCHY MAY BID FOR PIRATES

PITTSBURGH - A California newspaper heir who promises to move to Pittsburgh if he buys the Pirates may be ready to get down to business.

Kevin McClatchy is expected to make a tentative bid for the money-losing team as early as this week.

His proposal would permit him to sell the team if losses reached a certain level - apparently, $50 million over a five-year period. The Pirates expect to lose $16 million to $18 million this season.

McClatchy's bid probably will be in the $90 million to $92 million range.

NOTES

-- How scarce are tickets in Cleveland? Nineteen of 34 remaining home dates are sold out. Fans can still buy tickets to 15 games, but the only seats available are scattered singles, a total of 18,000 - for the rest of the season.

-- California placed right-hander Shawn Boskie (6-2) on the 15-day disabled list because of an inflamed elbow.

-- Outfielder Deion Sanders was activated from the disabled list by Cincinnati. Sanders suffered a sprained ankle May 31. The Reds placed outfielder Eric Anthony on the 15-day DL with a strained tendon.

-- Reliever Rob Dibble was waived by the Chicago White Sox, who want to give him his unconditional release. Dibble was 0-1 with one save and a 6.28 ERA. He walked 27 in 14 1/3 innings.

-- San Francisco optioned pitcher Joe Rosselli to Class AAA Phoenix to make room for left-hander Trevor Wilson's return from the DL. Wilson had been out since June 20 with bicep tendinitis.

-- Kansas City put second baseman Edgar Caceres on the 15-day DL less than 24 hours after the former replacement player was hit on the knee by a pitch from Baltimore's Scott Erickson.