AMERICAN LEAGUE UPDATE: BOGGS' GAME 'MONEYBALL' BEFORE THE MONEY.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

NEW YORK - With apologies to Billy Beane, recognized as the architect of ``Moneyball,'' Wade Boggs would like to say a few words.

``It was as if I invented the word 'Billyball' or 'Moneyball,''' said Boggs, who will be inducted today into the Baseball Hall of Fame. ``They are looking for these types of players that can go out and get on base and score these runs, and they're paying them millions and millions and millions of dollars. Back then, I was going to arbitration, and they said, 'Well, you don't hit home runs, and you don't drive in runs, so we're not going to pay you.'

``It was kind of crazy, but nowadays, they're looking for players that get on base, score runs, and generate offense. That was my game back then. Not that I didn't go up to the plate and try to hit the ball in the gap or over the fence, but I knew I could hit a line drive the majority of the time when I swung, and that was my offense.''

Boggs wound up with 3,010 hits, most of them singles, to rank 23rd all-time. He certainly would have had more if he didn't spend 5 1/2 years in the Red Sox's minor-league system waiting for the call to the big leagues.

``I call it seasoning - 5 1/2 years and hitting .300,'' Boggs said. ``The only thing that I was told by the Red Sox was that I don't hit for power and that I play in a power position and that I wasn't going to be able to play in the big leagues if I don't hit for power. That was sort of a stumbling block as to why I didn't make it to the big leagues.

``I forced their hand in 1981 when I led the league in hitting and wasn't called up in September. I think I forced their hand a little bit to where I had to go to spring training, and they had to make a decision on me there. Ralph Houk was basically the one that made that decision.''

Boggs resisted requests for him to change positions while he was in the minors, what he said was a low point in his career.

``I was sitting in the hotel room in Toledo, Ohio, with (manager) Joe Morgan, and he said that 'We're going to move you from third to first and possibly move you into the outfield,''' Boggs said. ```We don't feel as an organization that you can play third in the big leagues.' So I said, 'Well, I'll do whatever I can.'

``They suggested to possibly go down to winter ball in the offseason of '81, and go down there and play some first base. We had Dave Stapleton at first base at that time, and he wasn't a power hitter. It was whether or not I could go and take his position or what have you.

``It was just one of those things, when someone tells you you can't do something, you go out and work twice as hard and try to hone your craft. Honing my craft was the ability to get on base, hit for high average, and score runs.''

Besides his offense, Boggs also was known for his superstitions, although he prefers the word ``routines.'' He ate chicken before every game.

``I'm sure people call them superstitions,'' he said. ``People call them a lot of different things. If you look at (Nomar) Garciaparra, he doesn't call them superstitions, he called them routines. In order to do something like that, they aren't superstitions because you're doing them for a reason. You're superstitious that if you don't do them, something bad is going to happen. I always did them to where, like I said, I always wanted a positive influence of something positive. It wasn't the end of the world if I didn't run my wind sprint at 7:17, and I never really treated it like that. It was just the way that I structured my day.''

--Pedro backs Manny: Manny Ramirez has just about talked his way out of Boston, something Pedro Martinez was thrilled about when it seemed Ramirez was going to be his teammate with the Mets. They were close when both played for the Red Sox.

``I don't know if it's time (for him to be traded) or not,'' Martinez told New York writers. ``I just know that I would take him on my team anytime.''

Martinez said Ramirez is ``very shy and misunderstood.'' He tried calling Ramirez but was unable to get ahold of him.

``He's not talking to anyone,'' Martinez said. ``Not even his family or (Red Sox teammate) David (Ortiz). For him to be this upset, something bad must have happened.''

--High praise for Macha: Despite the A's rise to contention, rumors persist that manager Ken Macha is gone after this season. But A's GM Billy Beane has nothing but good things to say about Macha.

``Macha's handled (the team's early struggles) like a champ,'' Beane told the San Francisco Chronicle. ``And when we got everyone back (from injuries), it was seamless. He has been outstanding, and it's how you react to bad times that is as telling as everything. ... He has exhibited great leadership during difficult times. From a general manager's standpoint, I couldn't applaud him any louder.''

Joe Haakenson, [phone]

joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com