The bases are about to be loaded with no one out. It is the bottom of the eighth inning in Dodger Stadium. Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden, pitching's young latitude and younger longitude, are dueling 1-1. With first base open, New York Mets Manager Davey Johnson is at the mound telling Gooden to walk Pedro Guerrero, who earlier hit a home run. Mapping tactics with the infielders, Johnson has scarcely a word for Gooden, the 6-ft. 3-in. centerpiece of the team. He is a slender stalk from Florida, a righthander. Even in repose, the impression of him is mostly arms and...
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