Chances of a goodwill gesture are shaky

NEW YORK -- Veteran outfielder Larry Walker, a proud son of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, dropped a little bit of Canadian hockey heritage into America's pastime when his Cardinals played the Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

The 38-year-old Walker, who began his career in the Expos outfield, proposed to St. Louis manager Tony La Russa prior to Game 1 that the two clubs meet on the field upon the series' conclusion and exchange handshakes, just as NHL players have for decades during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"It has nothing to do with me," Walker said later, after the Cardinals rubbed out the Dodgers in four games, the two sides shaking hands in a show of good sportsmanship before departing Chavez Ravine. "It has to do with the game."

"It's a foreign deal," said Los Angeles first baseman Shawn Green, who said he never witnessed such a thing. "It was nice. Hopefully, it will catch on."

In the Bronx last night, where the Red Sox took on the Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series, there was the usual aura of bad blood and tension that simmers whenever the two storied franchises oppose each other. If the Astros go for it, the Cardinals no doubt will want to engage them in handshakes when the NLCS concludes. But it doesn't sound as though it's something the AL principals are going to embrace.

"No," said Sox first baseman Kevin Millar. "I mean, behind the scenes maybe, but we've got to keep that tough-guy image up front there. It's not that you dislike any other team. It's not like a hated situation. Gary Sheffield and I have been teammates, and I love him to death. I'm a big fan of Derek Jeter.

"But when you're competing in these cities, and in this rivalry, I don't think we are going to run out and shake hands. If they clinch it. I don't think you're going to see Bernie Williams or [Jorge] Posada run out and shake hands. Behind the scenes, you wish luck, but I don't think that will happen."

Contrary to reports dating back to when he was hired as Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein was never manager of the Yale hockey team, but some of his best Eli pals played on the squad.

"Those were the guys to hang with," said Epstein. "They always had the best beer."

With that hockey predisposition, Epstein was impressed by the handshake show between the Dodgers and Cardinals.

"I thought that was cool," said Epstein. "It's not something that's done in baseball, but if it ever became standard operating procedure in the game, I'd go for it."

Much like Millar, Epstein noted that there is no lack of respect emanating from either dugout. Aside from this season's Jason Varitek-Alex Rodriguez dustup, which led to the suspension of both players, most of the rough stuff that develops when these teams meet occurs in the stands.

A far more difficult image to conjure: a potbellied Yankee fan stretching to shake hands with a potbellied Red Sox fan in the stands -- at Yankee Stadium or Fenway -- upon the conclusion of this series.

"You know," said Epstein, "it's not the players who are pouring beers over each other's heads -- at least not yet."

Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who'll start Game 3 Friday night at Fenway, also said he thought the Cardinals-Dodgers handshake was "cool."

"I liked it because it showed they both have a lot of respect for each other," said Arroyo. "Without a doubt, I think guys at this level always have respect for the guys in the other dugout. Everyone knows, if you've made it this far, you're here for a reason."

But could a spontaneous display of sportsmanship break out at the end of this series?

"I don't think you'll see it happen," said Arroyo. "The rivalry is so heated between the two teams, and some things happened during the regular season that people aren't going to forget. I just can't see it happening."

As the world learned in the movie, "A League of Their Own," there is no crying in baseball. But if Walker and his frat brothers in St. Louis have it their way, there may be room to keep up the good vibrations.

Upon the conclusion of the series the other night, La Russa caught the eye of Dodger skipper Jim Tracy and made the handshake motion from the dugout. The two had met prior to the series and agreed that they would have all their players exchange goodbyes on the field after the last out. Sure enough, once he saw La Russa, Tracy led his guys out to the field.

"I think it sends a great message," La Russa said. "I'm not sure how it's perceived, but I think it's a good thing."

A good thing perhaps. But for the moment, not stronger than bad blood.