BASEBALL DAILY REPORT

Was baseball in need of an exciting, seven-game World Series after the four-game sweep by the Cincinnati Reds last year, the sweep by the Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the five-game victory by the Dodgers in 1988?

“I don’t think so,” Commissioner Fay Vincent said. “I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong, but any sport benefits from an outstanding championship, and I think this will be remembered as one.”

Of Kirby Puckett’s decisive home run in Game 6, Vincent said:

“It reminded me of Bill Mazeroski’s homer (that won the 1960 Series for the Pittsburgh Pirates) and Kirk Gibson’s homer (that won Game 1 of the ’88 Series for the Dodgers). And his catch (on a drive hit by Ron Gant) was absolutely Michael Jordanesque.”

Vincent also said that this Series proved “you don’t need the large markets to make it interesting. The teams, the players, the competition does that.”

Vincent revealed that at some point this winter he will hold a first conference with representatives of all factions of the game to discuss a “wide range of issues,” including on-field behavior and shortening games.

Deputy commissioner Steve Greenberg reaffirmed that Atlanta’s postseason games will count against Otis Nixon’s 60-day drug suspension, leaving him with about 15 days at the start of the 1992 season.

Nixon, the Braves’ left fielder and catalytic leadoff hitter, is reportedly in a rehabilitation program.

He had been negotiating a multiyear contract with the Braves and is eligible for free agency this winter.

“He’s eligible to sign with the Braves right now or any other team when that period begins,” Greenberg said. “We’ll undoubtedly talk to Otis in the spring and get a sense of what he’s done to avoid the problem in the future. If he’s comfortable and we’re comfortable, he can jump right into someone’s lineup when the 60 days are up. He’s already part of a continuing testing program, so that won’t change.”