On baseball, the smog and, um, civil rights

By Jim Souhan, Star Tribune

Last update: August 7, 2008 - 11:24 AM

The USA baseball team just held its press conference. Davey Johnson will manage, and, as happens sometimes, he was a lot more entertaining after I wrote about him for the Star Tribune than he was when I was working on a story about him.

Johnson said Twins prospect Brian Duensing will be a ``swing-man'' pitcher for him, meaning he could start or relieve. Sounds like he's trying to say Duensing will be in long relief. He said Duensing is comparable, in his eyes, to Kevin Slowey. ``He'll pitch in the big leagues, like Slowey,'' Johnson said.

Other stuff:

-Johnson called Twins manager and former Mets utility infielder Ron Gardenhire ``one of my favorites.''

-Johnson said he could be open to managing in the big league again someday, but he would be picky. He noted that he's managed under the pressure of New York, and for owners Marge Schott, Peter Angelos and Rupert Murdoch. ``I have dealt with a lot of stress,'' he said with a smile.

He also said that after having been fired for the fourth time despite a remarkably successful record, he went home and told his wife, ``Now you're going to work!''

-Former Dodgers player and Cubs manager Jim Lefebvre,the father of Royals broadcaster and former Gophers baseball player Ryan, is coaching China's team here.

-Johnson on getting the last hit ever off of Sandy Koufax, when Johnson's Orioles beat the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series: ``I reminded Sandy of that the next time I saw him, and he said, `Yeah, that's when I knew I was washed up.' ''

On other topics:

-Everything I've seen so far in Beijing is remarkably nice, and the people we've encountered have been remarkably polite and efficient. Then again, I haven't staged any protests.

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