All-Star Game Notebook : It Takes Extra Work for Puckett to Excel

Twin center fielder Kirby Puckett may have the league’s best batting average (.337), but he didn’t get to the top on natural ability alone. He regularly takes extra batting practice.

“The guys on opposing teams think I’m crazy,” said Puckett, who will make his fourth consecutive appearance in an All-Star game Tuesday. “They say, ‘What are you doing out here?’

“I’m just trying to get it right,” he said. “That’s the way I am.”

Puckett has added incentive to be in the batting cage early this week. He singled in his first All-Star at-bat in 1986, but has been hitless in seven trips to the plate since.

“As a player, this is your chance to shine,” Puckett said. “I haven’t shined too much.”

San Francisco’s Kevin Mitchell, who leads the major leagues with 31 homers, heads a list of six players who have agreed to compete in the home-run hitting contest during Monday’s workout.

Howard Johnson of the Mets, who has 22 homers, and the Reds’ Eric Davis (16) also will compete for the National League.

Baltimore’s Mickey Tettleton, who has hit 20 home runs, Kansas City’s Bo Jackson (20) and Minnesota’s Gary Gaetti (15) will also take part in the competition.

Other players are expected to be added to the list.

Angel broadcaster Joe Torre, who was the National League’s starting catcher the last time the All-Star game was played at Anaheim Stadium, said Tuesday’s 5:30 p.m. start should give the pitchers a big advantage.

“It’s going to be tough to see,” Torre said. “I remember in 1967, I knew it was going to have to get dark before anyone could see well enough to hit.”

Eleven batters were called out on strikes in the game, which also began in the twilight. The NL won, 2-1, on a 15th-inning home run by Tony Perez.

Angel coach Jimmie Reese, 83, will throw out the first ball Tuesday night, and 9-year-old Connie Ferguson of San Clemente will be the catcher. Ferguson is representing Little League, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Doc Severinsen and the Canadian Brass will perform both the U.S. and Canadian national anthems