Just when arms were starting to drag and brains everywhere were going on the fritz, relief reached camps last week. It was time to start playing games–if only for practice–and to begin counting the days until the release of the next book about the Yankees, this one on the collapse of George Steinbrenner’s empire.
To the amusement of everyone except Ruben Sierra and a few of his ex-teammates, advance copies of Joe Torre’s book, “Chasing the Dream,” appeared. The tale of the 1996 season won’t replace Penthouse or Field & Stream as a favorite in the Yankees’ clubhouse.
Torre took an unusual tack for a manager, writing candidly.
“If I read (the book), I’d probably just throw it in the trash,” said left-hander Kenny Rogers, who put his manager in the same league as common scribes. “It’s his business what he wants to write, just like you guys.”
This is the time in spring training when everyone needs good reading. The newness of camp has worn off and the final push to put together a roster is two weeks away. This is the time for comebacks, phenoms and first-round draft picks getting acquainted with big-league meal money.
A quick spin around AL camps:
Central
White Sox: Frank Thomas was hitless in the White Sox’s first three games and the Sox still scored 31 runs. No wonder free-agent pitchers were clamoring to get a call from General Manager Ron Schueler. It’s not just the big guys who hit. It’s almost everybody. Outfielders Jeff Abbott and Lyle Mouton got off to fast starts, as did infielder Chris Snopek. “You’re going to get some run support on this team,” Jaime Navarro said.
Cleveland: Shortstop Omar Vizquel won’t cut loose on any throws this spring. He’s protecting a shoulder that needed surgery after last year’s playoff loss. Yet Vizquel has impressed new teammate Matt Williams. “It’s like it’s too easy,” Williams said. “Some of us have to work very hard and he makes it look too easy.”
Kansas City: The Royals hoped to add life to their lineup by acquiring Chili Davis, Jeff King and Jay Bell and have been pleased with the early returns. K.C. hitters combined for seven homers in the first three games, including one from Bip Roberts, who had none last year. “An angel touched my bat,” Roberts said.
Milwaukee: When you have the smallest payroll in the league, you take consolation in little things. Brewers manager Phil Garner keeps talking about the conditioning of his players, especially John Jaha, Marc Newfield, Fernando Vina and minor-leaguer Ken Felder. “We’re going to take batting practice without our shirts on this year,” Garner said. “That’ll intimidate the other team.” In retaliation, opposing players could leave their pay stubs laying around home plate.
Minnesota: Rewarding the young pitchers who they hope will make them a contender, the Twins gave a three-year deal to right-hander Brad Radke and a two-year contract to lefty Eddie Guardado. The Twins’ staff this season is almost certain to include former No. 1 draft choice Todd Ritchie, who is out of options.
East
Baltimore: With David Wells and Bobby Bonilla gone, the Orioles believe they have improved their team chemistry. Their players aren’t laughing as much, anyway. “You hate to blame it on these guys, but with the subtraction of Wells and Bobby, there’s a little more seriousness,” General Manager Pat Gillick said.
Boston: With little else to show for their 1996 season, the Red Sox are hoping right-handers Mark Brandenburg and Kerry Lacy become major contributors in their bullpen. Both were acquired from Texas in a trade for Mike Stanton last season.
Detroit: Manager Buddy Bell expects major improvement from his pitching staff, which was the worst in the majors. But the Tigers gave up 45 runs in their first three games, including an 18-run pounding by Cleveland Sunday.
New York: Twice defeated, the Yankees are regrouping in their pursuit of Hidecki Irabu, the “Japanese Nolan Ryan.” A special committee ruled Irabu’s rights do indeed belong to the San Diego Padres, who acquired them from the Chiba Lotte Dragons. That means the Yankees must make a deal with the Padres, and those talks are on hold now that top prospect Ruben Rivera is undergoing shoulder surgery.
Toronto: The excitement over Roger Clemens’ live fastball has been tempered by concern about Juan Guzman, who is having problems with his legs. Guzman is being skipped this time around the rotation because of a slight strain in his left groin.
West
Anaheim: So much for the February talk about Jim Abbott’s fastball being back. The ex-White Sox lefty gave up seven hits and five runs in two innings Sunday against the Cubs.
Oakland: Outfielder Ben Grieve, the son of former Texas General Manager Tom Grieve, is getting a look in spring training. He has been ticketed for Triple A but could be up to stay in the second half of the season. Tom, an outfielder in his playing days, and Ben Grieve are the first father-son combination to be No. 1 picks in the baseball draft.
Seattle: There’s more concern about the guys not yet able to pitch in spring games than the Mariners who are. Randy Johnson, who is recovering from a herniated disc, threw an encouraging round of batting practice Saturday. Dennis Martinez, 42, signed to a minor-league contract at the start of camp, could make his Seattle debut this weekend.
Texas: There’s no turning back for the Rangers. Club President Tom Schieffer says he has no plans to trim a payroll that stands in excess of $50 million after the signing of free-agent closer John Wetteland and big pay raises to catcher Ivan Rodriguez ($6.65 million), third baseman Dean Palmer ($4.8 million) and right-hander Roger Pavlik ($2.85 million). This could be an all-or-bust year for Texas, which has a long list of potential 1998 free agents.
