Hey, They Could Even Share a Cab to Games

According to Major League Baseball’s poll, fans favor the revolutionary realignment plan by a 2-1 margin. According to ESPN’s poll, fans oppose it, 3-1.

I guess fans feel like Baltimore Oriole owner Peter Angelos, who says, “At first glance, it looks acceptable. On the other hand, it might not be.”

My sentiments exactly.

If forced to respond to a pollster, I would lean toward Bud Selig’s geographically correct proposal.

There’s something appealing about the Dodgers and Angels playing in the same division, if only that it guarantees Orange County fans can see their favorite team in the Big A more often.

Beyond that, I’m not sure the plan is the answer to any question confronting baseball other than whether Tampa Bay is East or West.

The sport has more fundamental problems than the composition of its divisions, and it will take more than realignment, interleague play and the elimination or addition of designated hitters to solve them.

Don’t interpret this as an attack on baseball. I like the sport.

But I’m part of a dwindling minority. According to a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll in April, baseball, once the American pastime, now is the third-most popular sport, behind football and basketball. Only 14% said baseball is their favorite sport.

Considering that the overwhelming majority of fans who still list baseball first are aging baby boomers, there’s little to suggest a brighter future.

That could change with enlightened leadership, meaning someone other than Selig and Jerry Reinsdorf.

It’s not encouraging, however, when owners such as Peter O’Malley, whose family has been in baseball for almost five decades, and Florida’s Wayne Huizenga, who has been in it for six years, decide to sell, concluding that the sport is moving in the wrong direction.

Baltimore General Manager Pat Gillick is retiring after next season, saying he’s frustrated by “the state of the game.”

It makes you wonder why Rupert Murdoch wants in.

Fortunately for baseball, he’s proven with his investments that he knows more about the future than most of us.

*

The Yankees begin a four-game series tonight in Anaheim, without Albert Belle. . . .

Angry about Yankee General Manager Bob Watson’s spin that the White Sox initiated the Belle trade talks, Chicago GM Ron Schueler threatened to give reporters a list of players New York was willing to deal. . . .

Crazy as it might seem to Reinsdorf, the White Sox remain in the division race and reportedly are seeking a starting pitcher. . . .

Talk about bad timing. Wilson Alvarez was available a couple of weeks ago. . . .

Now that the Dodgers have retired Tom Lasorda’s number, Fernando Valenzuela’s should be next. . . .

He would be the first Dodger so honored who was not affiliated with the team in Brooklyn. . . .

For their 50th and 25th anniversaries, USC salutes its 1947 and 1972 football teams on Aug. 30 at Dedeaux Field. . . .

Paul Salata, reunion chairman, reports he is still seeking seven members of the ’47 team--Jim Powers, Wilbur Robertson, Jay Roundy, Jess Swope, Al Cantor, Ollie Fletcher and Newell Oestreich. . . .

I hope Salata had no trouble locating All-America tackle John Ferraro, L.A.’s City Council president. . . .

The ’72 team was USC’s best. . . .

Jacksonville wide receiver Keenan McCardell says former USC quarterback Rob Johnson is so laid back he reminds him of Jim McMahon. . . .

Johnson presumably took it as a compliment. He connected with McCardell for the Jaguars’ first touchdown Monday night. . . .

Brett Favre’s book, “Favre: For the Record,” is a candid look at the life of an NFL quarterback, not so glamorous when he describes his encounters with painkillers. . . .

For historical perspective, though, Dick Schaap’s “Green Bay Replay” also is recommended reading. . . .

So is Michelle Kwan’s “Heart of a Champion” for young athletes and their parents. . . .

With the support of her parents, the Torrance figure skater learned life didn’t end when she became an ex-world champion at 16. . . .

I missed Bela Karolyi during the U.S. gymnastics championships. . . .

So, apparently, did Dominique Moceanu.

*

While wondering which of Lasorda’s favorite managers will make the most right moves in New York this week, I was thinking: The Ducks and Kings should call New Jersey about an unhappy Doug Gilmour, tell me the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t extend Mike Fratello’s contract, the Galaxy must be trying to put another coach out of work.