On Deck For The Big Knock

The Porsche hums for home now, and inside we have open lines.

"Yes, I'm a first-time caller."

"Turn your radio down."

"Oh, O.K. Just a sec. O.K. Yes?"

"Yes. Go ahead."

"Yes, I'm a first-time caller, and I'd like to know why Pete didn't pinch-hit for that catcher, Bilardello, in the sixth, when it was 2-1 and we had guys on. I think he should have pinch-hit for that catcher."

Rose is unruffled. "I like to hear what the fans think," he says. "I like it when they say good things about my players. Sometimes, they don't know all the circumstances in a situation, but I still like to hear.

"For instance, I'm not going to pinch-hit for Bilardello there, because if I pinch-hit for Bilardello then I have to use Krenchicki and if I bring in Krenchicki, they're going to bring in that lefthander, and then I'd have to use Doggie [Perez], and then I'd have gone through two of my best pinch-hitters and it's only the sixth inning, and besides, I'm ahead and I need Bilardello for defense and besides, Soto is going good. You understand what I'm saying?"

Is the caller there?

At home, it's another cheeseburger midnight. This is also the hour when Rose can be reached by phone. As such, the Rose end of a lot of conversations is "Gmmphmph." Most people want tickets. Between bites and calls, he digests the Dodger game; Jim Davenport's Giants blow it in the ninth. As the Giants unravel, Rose finds himself pacing. "Jeez!" he screeches. "I'm more worried about this game than Davenport!"