Alou Says Expos Didn’t Steal Signs

Expo Manager Felipe Alou reacted angrily to San Francisco Giant Manager Dusty Baker’s allegations that Expo baserunners had been stealing signs from the Giants during Montreal’s 10-3 and 19-3 victories at San Francisco earlier this week.

Baker said he would “spread the word around the league” that Montreal was breaking one of baseball’s unwritten rules.

“I would like to spread this word--I’d like to express my concern about a minority manager accusing another minority manager about stealing signs,” Alou responded.

He said he felt “disgust” that Baker would make his accusations “in the year of Jackie Robinson’s anniversary.”

Alou and Baker are two of three black managers in the major leagues.

“I’m the person responsible for stolen bases and I’m the one responsible for stolen signs if we did it, which we don’t,” Alou said.

Baker said his suspicions were heightened after watching a videotape of the 10-3 game Tuesday and by Henry Rodriguez’s grand slam on a low-and-away pitch the next day.

“You start seeing guys making certain movements, certain things, and you know something is up,” said Baker, who also said the Expos “shouldn’t be surprised if someone’s throwing at them.”

Alou said the dispute was part of “the sporadic lack of respect” for the Expos.

“I know that we are a little team, that we are a poor team. I know that a lot of people don’t want to give us credit for the games we win,” he said.

“If we were stealing signs--and again, we’re not--then a team with their payroll and their superstars should do a better job with their signs.”

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The San Diego Padres placed outfielders Rickey Henderson and Phil Plantier on the 15-day disabled list.

The club recalled outfielder Trey Beamon from triple-A Las Vegas to fill Henderson’s roster spot, and activated right-hander Dario Veras from the 15-day disabled list.

The move involving Henderson was a formality because he aggravated a right-calf strain in the first inning of Thursday’s game. But Plantier’s assignment wasn’t announced until just before the Padres faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His injury is a strained muscle in his side.

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Pittsburgh Pirate Manager Gene Lamont, his coaches and every player except starting pitcher Francisco Cordova shook hands, posed for pictures and even hugged fans for a half-hour before the Braves-Pirates game Friday.

Some teams stage Meet the Players night. The Pirates did it in reverse with a Meet the Fans night suggested by left fielder Al Martin, who sought to forge a stronger bond between baseball’s least-known and lowest-paid team and its rooters.

“The fans have been very friendly and supportive. It’s fun,” Lamont said as a shy young fan hugged him, whispering her name in a barely audible voice.

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The Florida Marlins placed outfielder Cliff Floyd on the 15-day disabled list because of a pulled hamstring, and recalled outfielder Todd Dunwoody from triple-A Charlotte. . . . Philadelphia Phillie pitcher Matt Beech, who suffered a sprained right ankle during Thursday’s game in St. Louis, was placed on the 15-day disabled list.