Tomorrow's Heroes

The Yankees hope they have another Ron Guidry in Dave Righetti, 21, a 6'3" lefthander who in three years as a pro has averaged more than one strikeout an inning. His father, Leo, was a minor-leaguer.

Damaso Garcia, 23, was a .265 hitter in four seasons in the Yankee farm system. Traded to Toronto last fall, he will start at second no matter how he hits. "He's got great hands," says Coach Bobby Doerr.

Bill Veeck first noticed Harold Baines as a Little Leaguer. Now 21, Baines hit .298 with 22 home runs for Iowa last year and will play outfield for Chicago. "He's on his way to Cooperstown," says Paul Richards.

Mickey Hatcher hit .371 for Albuquerque last year to lead the Pacific Coast League, the third straight season he has been over .300. A 25-year-old third baseman, Hatcher may dislodge the Dodgers' Ron Cey.

St. Louis' Leon Durham, 22, has been a first baseman since he was five, but Keith Hernandez is there and Durham is taking a crash course in outfield play. He hit .310 with 23 homers at Springfield last year.

With Joe Morgan gone, Ron Oester, 23, who grew up in Cincinnati, may claim second base. Oester (say o-ster) batted .281 with Indianapolis last year and is a switch hitter, just like his boyhood idol, Pete Rose.