Between The Lines

A Small Part in a Movie
Because major league teams used adults as batboys in the 1920s, Indians clubhouse man Cy Buynak, 55, is playing the part of a batboy in a made-for-TV movie about Babe Ruth that will air on NBC this fall. Buynak says he's 4'11�", but he's probably really no taller than 4'6". When Buynak wore his Yankee uniform costume before Cleveland's game against the Twins on June 15, Indians coach Luis Isaac said, "Cy played Babe Ruth as a six-year-old."

A Pitcher Turned Hitter
On June 12, Braves pitcher Steve Avery went 4 for 4 to become the first pitcher to get four hits in a game since the Reds' Danny Jackson did it in September 1988. Avery was 6 for 51 lifetime entering the game. "The guys kidded me the next day," said Avery. "They told me I was in the lineup."

A Hitter Turned Pitcher
Cub outfielder Doug Dascenzo pitched two scoreless innings last week against the Dodgers. Dascenzo, who pitched one scoreless inning in '90, said, "One inning last year, two this year. By 1998, I might be able to go nine."

Mister Manners
The most polite player in the major leagues has to be rookie outfielder Mike Huff of the Indians. He refers to most players as "mister," as in Mr. Puckett or Mr. Ryan. "I haven't done anything yet; it's a sign of respect," says the 27-year-old Huff. "I faced Mr. Saberhagen. I had a lot more strikeouts afterwards than I did going into the game. One pitch he threw was the fastest one I've ever heard."

By the Numbers

?In his second major league start, against the Reds last Saturday, Phillies pitcher Andy Ashby became the 19th major league pitcher to strike out the side on nine pitches. Ashby joins Nolan Ryan (1968), Sloppy Thurston ('23) and Hod Eller ('17) as the only rookies to accomplish the feat.

?On June 10, the Cardinals' streak of errorless games ended at 15—tying the major league mark set by the Reds in '75—when centerfielder Ray Lankford muffed a fly ball. During that 15-game stretch, the Braves made 28 errors.

?The Cardinals went 669 at bats, dating back to May 18, without a home run before first baseman Gerald Perry hit one on June 9. Two nights later Perry and outfielder Milt Thompson homered in the same inning.