Dave Righetti

Dave Righetti's life has become a series of intertwining, frustrating Catch-22 situations. Righetti was limited to seven innings of work in spring training because the New York Yankees wanted to make sure his arm was healthy for the start of the season. Now, Righetti says, his arm feels fine but his strength is not what it should be. The result: three rough outings, a 21.00 ERA and a new spate of questions concerning his arm. Righetti says all he needs is to pitch a lot to pitch better.

Dave Righetti sees his latest comeback as a can't-lose situation. "If I get clobbered, everybody expects it. If I do good, then I'm ahead of the game," Righetti, 36, said Sunday after continuing his remarkable rebirth as a starter, beating the Cleveland Indians, 5-1, and giving the Chicago White Sox their first victory in seven games at Jacobs Field.

"I was so emotional I couldn't talk," White Sox reliever Bobby Thigpen said after he set a major league record with his 47th save Monday in a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. "I was at a loss for words. I never thought I'd be that emotional. I never figured on anything like this. It was an unbelievable moment." Once the shock wore off, he was more philosophical. "Personally, it's just a number," he said. "I hope I can put up a bunch more. We play a lot of close games."

The Oakland Athletics released reliever Dave Righetti and recalled Vince Horsman from triple-A Tacoma. Righetti, 35, whose 252 saves are the the most by a left-hander, had no decisions with a 16.71 ERA in seven appearances. He gave up 13 runs and 13 hits in seven innings. Horsman, a left-hander, was 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in seven games at Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League. Righetti, who signed with Oakland as a free agent, is eighth on the career saves list. * The St.

Dave Righetti, the New York Yankees' ace reliever, signed a three-year, $4.3-million contract with the team.

George Steinbrenner blamed baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent for the New York Yankees' loss of relief pitcher Dave Righetti, who signed a four-year, $10-million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Steinbrenner, who agreed to quit as the Yankees' managing general partner because of his dealings with a gambler, said he should be negotiating for free agents.

Joy one moment, fear the next. Celebration and concern. Happy visions of a sweet life five years from now; deep concern about the immediate future. The pendulum swings back and forth from minute to minute, and Dave Righetti has no choice but to ride it. "It's fun and it pulls at you at the same time," Righetti said, acknowledging that restful sleep has not been easily achieved in the last week. His mind never rests.

The Oakland Athletics released reliever Dave Righetti and recalled Vince Horsman from triple-A Tacoma. Righetti, 35, whose 252 saves are the the most by a left-hander, had no decisions with a 16.71 ERA in seven appearances. He gave up 13 runs and 13 hits in seven innings. Horsman, a left-hander, was 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in seven games at Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League. Righetti, who signed with Oakland as a free agent, is eighth on the career saves list. * The St.

Dave Righetti, who pitched a no-hitter for the New York Yankees 10 years ago, was released by the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. In three years with the Giants, Righetti compiled a 5-15 record with a 4.61 earned-run average and 28 saves in relief 166 appearances. * The Seattle Mariners, reversing a trade earlier this year, sent infielder Dave Magadan to the Florida Marlins for pitcher Jeff Darwin.

Joy one moment, fear the next. Celebration and concern. Happy visions of a sweet life five years from now; deep concern about the immediate future. The pendulum swings back and forth from minute to minute, and San Francisco Giant pitcher Dave Righetti has no choice but to ride it. "It's fun and it pulls at you at the same time," Righetti said, acknowledging that restful sleep has not been easily achieved in the last week. His mind never rests.

Joy one moment, fear the next. Celebration and concern. Happy visions of a sweet life five years from now; deep concern about the immediate future. The pendulum swings back and forth from minute to minute, and Dave Righetti has no choice but to ride it. "It's fun and it pulls at you at the same time," Righetti said, acknowledging that restful sleep has not been easily achieved in the last week. His mind never rests.

The San Francisco Giants never have bothered to conceal their deep-rooted contempt for the Dodgers. They despise Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda. They accuse Dodger fans of being phonies. They recoil at the mere mention of Dodger Blue. "We're tired of all that rah-rah bull . . . " one Giant player said. And this time, they say, the Dodgers flat out insulted them. This time, they're going to be sorry.

George Steinbrenner blamed baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent for the New York Yankees' loss of relief pitcher Dave Righetti, who signed a four-year, $10-million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Steinbrenner, who agreed to quit as the Yankees' managing general partner because of his dealings with a gambler, said he should be negotiating for free agents.

The San Francisco Giants may have jilted Brett Butler in a negotiating difference over money, but they continue to spend it almost with indifference. Free-agent relief star Dave Righetti became the latest to benefit when he agreed to leave the New York Yankees and return to his Bay Area roots for a $10-million guarantee over four years.