Wednesday, August 26, 1998

BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Don't be surprised if Reds manager Jack McKeon waits to sign a contract extension until after General Manager Jim Bowden's future is clearer. McKeon, who was GM in San Diego in 1980-90, would be a leading candidate to become Reds GM if Bowden leaves. Bowden interviewed for the Dodgers general manager's vacancy last week.

McKeon said he hasn't thought about his contract much but hinted Tuesday that it might be smart to wait before signing. He and managing executive John Allen will meet at some point on this six-game homestand. "I don't know what I'm going to do," McKeon said, though he has said he wants to come back as manager.

McKeon said he still enjoys managing and would like to see the Reds move through the rebuilding process and into a new stadium in his on-field role. Taking the general manager's job would require him to move from his offseason home in North Carolina to Cincinnati. "I'm not buying another house," he said.

Belinda out for season

The Reds transferred pitcher Stan Belinda from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL, meaning that he is out for the rest of the season. Belinda's latest tests revealed that he continues to suffer from an inflammation of the spinal cord, but other tests -- including those for multiple sclerosis -- were inconclusive.

Steroid talk

Reds catcher Eddie Taubensee doesn't think the controversy over Mark McGwire's use of androstenedione should be a controversy. "If we can go in to GNC and buy it, it's not like it's a real steroid," Taubensee said.

Taubensee uses vitamin supplements but not andro.

"But I might look into it," he said. "I'll talk to some doctors, see if it's safe."

Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, chasing McGwire for the home run record, doesn't use andro or any other body-building substance, but doesn't think it's any of his business whether McGwire does.

"I'm not in Mark McGwire's shoes," he said. "I'm not interested in his personal life."

Sosa's formula for fitness: "I eat good, go to the weights and get rest."

If andro is legal, McKeon said, it shouldn't be a big deal.

"It's the illegal stuff that bothers me," he said.

But McKeon also doesn't believe that it's safe either.

"All the new scientific stuff, all the nutrition stuff, you don't know if it's good or bad," he said. "We have more injuries now, I know that."

Frank sent down

Outfielder Mike Frank, who spent only a year in the minors before being called up to the Reds in June, was reinstated from the disabled list and optioned to Double-A Chattanooga.

Frank should be back with the Reds Tuesday, when the major-league roster expands to 40 players from 25. He should get a few games in before being called back.

Short hops

Former Reds pitcher Mike Morgan was acquired by the Cubs in a trade with Minnesota for a player to be named and cash. He was 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA with the Twins. . . . Mark Hutton, the 6-foot-9 right-handed pitcher sent to Indianapolis after poor performances with the Reds early this season, is out for the rest of the year with a broken right leg.

Up next

Two of the top young pitchers in the National League match up as Reds right-hander Brett Tomko (11-9, 4.72) faces Cubs rookie right-hander Kerry Wood (11-6, 3.48) in a 12:35 p.m. start at Cinergy Field.

Tomko, 25, has the talent to be called one of the best but has been inconsistent lately. He went seven innings and allowed only one run two starts ago, but Friday in Pittsburgh he allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Wood, 21, is the fireballing phenom who made a huge splash in May by tossing 20 strikeouts against the Astros to tie the single-game major league record. He's second in the NL with 207 strikeouts despite not cracking the top 10 in innings pitched. He's also the hardest pitcher in the league to hit against (an N.L.-leading .198 batting average for opponents).