Edition: U.S. / Global

BASEBALL; 'Sleeping Dogs' Bark at Buck

Published: May 9, 1993

Sparky against Buck? Bad blood brewing? There was Friday, but both managers tried to squelch it tonight.

In the sixth inning Friday, with the Yankees leading, 6-0, Pat Kelly, the runner on first, sprinted for second base. Sparky Anderson, the Tigers' manager, was outraged. Television cameras caught him screaming at Yankees Manager Buck Showalter.

Anderson continued today by claiming that running with a six-run lead is not proper etiquette. He quoted Branch Rickey by saying a team should never wake a sleeping dog. Showalter then happened to telephone Anderson to discuss the situation, and the Tiger manager quickly softened his stance. Even at the expense of the truth.

First, Anderson said he was mad at himself and not at anything the Yankees did. Next, he denied that he had ever spoken with Showalter. Finally, Anderson insisted that he never criticized Showalter by name and that "some people" might question that sort of strategy.

"Branch Rickey said you should always let a dog sleep," Anderson said. "Blame it on him. I didn't use anyone's name."

Showalter, who was privately perturbed that Anderson would question anyone pushing for more offense when the Tigers lead the majors in runs and play in a hitter's ballpark, said: "I had the guts to confront the situation and not cower in the corner and let it slide. I'm sure Sparky knows I wanted that seventh run."

The Yankees could have used it. They lost, 7-6.