ALL-STAR GAME : Notes : Dodgers Defend Lasorda, Say Picks Are Good

The four Dodger All-Star reserves are prepared for the obvious question that will be asked them today at Anaheim Stadium during the workouts for Tuesday’s game: How can a fifth-place team deserve more manager-selected representatives--four--than any other team in the league?

“How can anybody complain--we’re the world champions,” reliever Jay Howell said. “And it’s not like we’ve been getting our brains beat in. We’ve lost a lot of one-run and two-run games.”

Said catcher Mike Scioscia: “Just look at the individuals who were taken. Who is a better starting pitcher this year than Orel (Hershiser). Who is a better stopper than Howell? Who is a better everyday second baseman than Willie (Randolph)? We may be playing like a fifth-place team. But we are not a fifth-place team.”

Dodger and All-Star Manager Tom Lasorda, who selected the National League reserves, said simply: “I took guys who deserve to go. I didn’t look at team’s records. Look at St. Louis. How many guys did I take from St. Louis. Are they a first-place club?”

The Cardinals’ four representatives match the Dodgers’ number, but one of those, Ozzie Smith, was voted in as a starter by the fans.

Lasorda said he planned to send out personal letters to borderline All-Stars who were not selected to the team. He did so in 1982, when he sent a letter to Bill Madlock.

“Every year, there will be some guys who are unhappy, and guys who are deserving, but you can only select 28,” Lasorda said. “You can’t keep everyone happy.”

Dodger announcer Vin Scully says he’s not very nervous about working alongside former President Ronald Reagan at Tuesday’s All-Star game telecast on NBC, during which Reagan is scheduled to provide color commentary for an inning or two.

After all, the two men were acquaintances when both lived in the Pacific Palisades area. But Scully isn’t saying this is routine.

“Never mind politics, the man is still a President, the leader of the free world, and there’s no way I can forget that,” said Scully, who will meet with Reagan today to discuss the former President’s role.

Just what will Reagan say?

“Anything he wants,” Scully said.

The eight-man field for the home-run hitting contest during today’s All-Star workout was completed Sunday with the addition of Texas outfielder Ruben Sierra and Houston first baseman Glenn Davis.

Sierra joins the American League contingent of Kansas City’s Bo Jackson, Baltimore’s Mickey Tettleton and Minnesota’s Gary Gaetti. Davis will represent the National League along with San Francisco’s Kevin Mitchell, Cincinnati’s Eric Davis and Howard Johnson of the New York Mets.

Participation in the home-run derby is voluntary.

A rundown on today’s other skill competitions:

--Catcher’s throw: Each league is represented by two catchers, who each throw 10 balls at a target positioned at second base. Catchers receive one point for hitting the target on the fly and five points for throwing the ball through a hole in the target.

The AL catchers are Oakland’s Terry Steinbach and Baltimore’s Mickey Tettleton. The NL will be represented by San Diego’s Benito Santiago and St. Louis’ Tony Pena.

--Relay throw: Each league will field two teams of three (outfielder, infielder, catcher) who execute the standard outfield relay. The relay begins with a baseball placed on the warning track and at the sound of the buzzer, the outfielder starts the relay in motion. The first team to get the ball to the catcher wins a point.

The teams:

American League No. 1--Devon White (Angels), Cal Ripken (Baltimore) and Steinbach; American League No. 2--Mike Greenwell (Boston), Julio Franco (Texas) and Tettleton; National League No. 1--Andre Dawson (Chicago), cutoff man undetermined and Mike Scioscia (Dodgers); National League No. 2--Von Hayes (Philadelphia), Ryne Sandberg (Chicago) and Santiago.

Today’s schedule of events:

11 a.m.--Anaheim Stadium gates open.

12:45 p.m.--American League workout.

1:45 p.m.--Award presentation to San Francisco’s Will Clark as 1989 top All-Star vote-getter.

1:50 p.m.--Catcher’s throw.

2:10 p.m.--Relay throw.

2:40 p.m.--Home run derby.

3:05 p.m.--National League workout.

4:05 p.m.--All-Star workout ends.

New York Met third baseman Howard Johnson, whose 22 home runs earned him a spot on the National League All-Star roster, signed a three-year, $6.1-million contract Sunday.

Met Senior Vice President Al Harazin reported that Johnson is receiving a $500,000 signing bonus, a million for 1990, $2 million for 1991, and $2.1 million for 1992.

Johnson is batting .293 with 22 homers, 57 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.

“The option year will also be worth the same as 1992,” Harazin said “Plus there will be the usual bonus clauses for performances, All-Star appearances and similar awards.”

Johnson, who ended rumors that he might become a free agent at the end of the season, said: “I’m glad it’s over with. After all the talks about trades and everything else, this commitment is something special to me.

“I’m looking forward to finishing my career here. I know I’ve had an outstanding first half of the season, but I really believe that this is just the beginning of a good future.”

Willie Randolph was rested with a sore neck that was suffered during his home-plate collision with Damon Berryhill in Saturday’s fourth inning. While the neck was so sore he only slept for three hours Saturday night, he said he didn’t plan on not filling his reserve role in Tuesday’s All-Star game.

“I’ve played in an All-Star game with a torn cartilage in my knee before,” Randolph said. “This game is two whole days away. My neck could be fine by then. I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Julio Franco, elected to start at second base for the American League, will be the first Texas Ranger to start in the All-Star game since Richie Zisk in 1978.

The Associated Press and Times-Post News Service also contributed to this story.