Between The Lines

A LONG, HARD FALL FROM THE '70s
Baltimore's starting pitchers are a combined 48-50. Only one ( Mike Boddicker) has a winning record (14-9), and they have yet to pitch a complete-game shutout.

THE SOLID GOLD DANCERS
Dwight Gooden has cut a rap record, "Dr. K," a group of Mets recorded "Get Metsmerized" earlier in the season (a George Foster production) and the whole team appears in the "Let's Go Mets" video. Now Kevin Mitchell is to have a record released. Mitchell is uncertain what song he will record, but he suspects his stage name will be the Rook.

IBID.

?The Mets' record was 87-43 through last weekend, 44 games over .500. The Tigers' record was 47 over on Sept. 29, 1984. They were 46 over for the season. In the National League the 1976 Reds were 43 games over on Sept. 22 and 25.

?The Mets' record on the road is 46-22, the best in the major leagues by a substantial margin. If they win 8 of their remaining 13 road games, they will exceed by 1 the National League record for most road victories in a 162-game season. The record of 55 was established by the 1971 A's.

THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD
Nolan Ryan has allowed 3 hits or fewer in 8 of his last 11 starts. In that stretch he has 89 strikeouts and has given up 38 hits in 72? innings.

LIFE IN THE MONASTERY
On Aug. 28, Tony Gwynn had three hits, stole two bases, threw two runners out at second and another at the plate and took over the major league lead in batting—yet the Padres lost to the Mets 6-5 in 11 innings.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

?"The spark and desire—for reasons unknown—is missing on our team this year. Our farm teams are winning on practically every level. I want the players coming up here with the taste of victory in their mouths. I don't want them observing this."—Cubs president Dallas Green on why he's not bringing up some of his best prospects in September.

?"My flowers just came up, my shrubbery looks good, my grass is really seeded well. To leave all that would be devastating. "—Cardinal outfielder Andy Van Slyke, commenting on trade rumors.