BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pirate Manager Jim Leyland vowed to refrain from smoking cigarettes in the dugout during the playoffs because he’s tired of TV cameras catching him in the act.

“Now, I’ll probably never get on TV at all,” Leyland said. “My mom won’t even see me on TV. I’ll have to make some pitching changes just to get on camera.”

Just how does Leyland, a chain-smoker, plan on curbing his habit during tense, three-hour games?

“No problem,” he said, “there are 2 1/2 minutes between innings during the playoffs. I can smoke a pack and a half during that time.”

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Although there was no pitcher in the National League hotter down that stretch than Atlanta starter Charlie Leibrandt--pitching 23 scoreless innings--he wonders if he’ll throw a pitch in the playoffs.

The Braves have gone to a three-man rotation, leaving Leibrandt relegated to the bullpen. Considering that his last relief appearance resulted in a game-winning home run by Minnesota’s Kirby Puckett in Game 6 of the World Series, Leibrandt questions whether he would be entrusted in another situation out of the bullpen.

“I’m disappointed,” Leibrandt said, “but I’m realistic about it. What are you going to do? Believe me, I’d be a lot more upset if we went to a four-man rotation and I wasn’t part of it.

“Oh, well, at least I don’t have to pitch to Kirby again, huh?”

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Pirate outfielder Barry Bonds emerged from the clubhouse before the game, immediately went to the right-field foul line and started yelling out for Atlanta outfielder Deion Sanders.

Catching his attention, Bonds began imitating Sanders’ touchdown dance with the Falcons.

How did Sanders respond?

By running over and playfully tackling Bonds.