Gotham Baseball SUMMER 2006

SUMMER a008

THE PAST. PRESENT

& fUTURE Of THE NEW YORK GAME

LETTER fRDM THE EOITDR

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ennant Chases, hot dog races, and the promise of another Subway • Series is in the air.

It's been an interesting New York baseball season so far, and an even more exciting summer for Gotham Baseball's entire staff. We've undergone a complete redesign of both the magazine (thanks to Art Director Edward Leos) and the website (thanks to Senior Writer and Website Designer Joe McDonald), and with some excellent additions to an already solid editorial staff, GB is ready for a postseason run of our own.

On the diamond, the Mets are playing their best baseball since the summer of200l, and the Yankees, despite injuries to Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui among others, are staying in the thick of the AL East race. Like the days of yore, the best of the best are plying their trade in Gotham. From Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez to David Wright and Carlos Beltran, the New York ballclubs boast some of the most valuable talent in the game.

However, there's one man that stands heads and shoulders above them all, and he's on our cover. Mariano Rivera is the game's best closer, and has been so way longer than any closer has ever been. He is a homegrown Hall-ofFarner and a World Series ring-adorned stopper. He is the "Hammer of God".

So, enjoy what you read in the pages before you, and visit us online and tell us what you think. We're just about the only publication whose editorial staff is accountable to its readership, my friends, so take us at our word and stop by.

Think of us as a cyberspace stoop, kind of like the one you and your friends used to spend your summers on, and argue about whether Lee Mazzilli or Mickey Rivers was the better outfielder. See? Fits like a well-broken in glove now, doesn't it?

Enjoy the rest of the season. See you in October.

~~ctJ; Mark Healey Executive Editor

EXECUTIVE EDTOR: MARK HEALEY PUBLISHER: GENE BERARDELLI ART DIRECTOR: EDWARD R. LEDS

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WRITERS: CHIP ARMDNAITIS. JOE McDONALD. CECILIA TAN ~OliTRIBUTING WRITERS: KENNETH SCHLAPP. WILLIAM CUMMINGS MINOR LEAG!)l CORREl;i~PDrtOENI; LINDA BERARDELLI ~!1IEf PHOTOGRAE'I:I~R: BUTCH MORAN

PUBll1;tR~L~IIOt4liJ~JJN~Yl-IA~l: fAITH ARMDNAITIS I\DDITON~l PHOTDS BY: GENE BERARDELLI AND fAITH ARMDNAITIS

GOTHAM BASEBALL IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE 14.95 DOLLARS. US. INTERNATIONAL RATES ARE HIGHER. ALL INOUIRIES ARE TO BE DIRECTED TO: GOTHAM SPORTS MEDIA. LLC

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has been a rendezvous ~oint, a pla~e for tailga~ing, cookouts and the occasional late night cocktail. It has been a staging point for 9/11 rescue operations, fireworks celebrations and it even had a cameo on the HBO TV series "The Sopranos."

But after 42 years, the Shea Stadium parking lot will soon be getting an upgrade, as construction crews will replace baseball fans, and the long awaited new Mets' ballpark will break ground sometime this summer.

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"WORLD-CLASS" "Our new ballpark is the realization of a dream," a beaming Mets' CEO Fred Wilpon announced at the stadium's press conference in April. "To create a world-class environment and enduring experience for everyone, especially the best fans in the world. This new ballpark will become the home our fans have long deserved, one created for shared celebrations among future Mets fans."

Scheduled to be completed in time to open the 2009 seaso this facility has been years in the making. Originally unveile in the late 1990s, the first designs called for a retractable rot and a rollout field, so the building could be used for concer and conventions when the Mets weren't playing. But, becaus the organization is now chipping in $550 million to this projec some tough decisions had to be made, including scrapping th estimated $100 million covering.

Met officials were saddened by the decision, but due to th new financial environment, they completely understood wh this project had to go the more traditional route.

In addition to the team's contribution, the City will contril ute $90 million in capital funds, while the State comes in at $7 million to help pay for the infrastructure costs. The Mets, lik the Yankees with their project, will be responsible for the main tenance on this facility, which fell to the City in the past.

"Our breakthrough agreement with the Mets helped to cre ate the foundation for a beautiful new home for the team whil

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-~~. e relieving the City of its obligation to maintain Sadiron. thereby saving taxpayers hundreds of millions id _;YC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "We thank taking on the financial responsibility of building, maintaining a new ballpark that will serve basemroughout the City." oq~inlri°on also expects to derive $10 million a year _n-ing_ righ "since the building will have a corporate time, no name had yet been chosen.

LLLlKIITS

ject has been scaled down, New Yorkers will ~oy baseball played the way they have always ,~~:iellCed " -outdoors. The similarities won't end there, as will be only a few feet away from where Shea ds, and that means continuing to deal with [.aIGull1fia-- airline traffic. have grown to ~)eC( tile thunderous engines, may even enjoy yd would never

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olaces in the park Club and LAlJUUJLUgo Even the outfield seats in right are called o The stadium also connects itself to the ltiiog exposed steel throughout the facility, bringing to mind ie _-ew York together. memory of Shea Stadium will live on, as the e will reclaim its regular spot in center field.

The De"W- stadium' most recognizable characteristic clearly rl~ memory ofEbbets Field, as the main entrance to the ly resembles the rotunda that graced the inter_ I Keever and Sullivan Streets for 47 years. Even e will be constructed of the same kind of limeon e adorned the home of Brooklyn's Dodgers. the elder Wilpon spoke about the resemblance to at ballpark where he spent much of his happiest childhood o w - immediately evident just how much this new project ill rohim.

-1 get choked up every time I look at these plans," he said as his e es teared up for a moment. "I remember walking through IlIt~3fi'"

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the rotunda, 8 or 9 years old, holding my dad's hand and thrilled to be with him one-on-one."

On the outside, the building may appear retro. On the inside, the latest in ballpark design and fan-friendly technology take center stage.

DOIIIG THE RESEARCH Over the past few years, Mets' officials led by COO Jeff Wilpon took tours of new stadiums built around the country, including Camden Yards in Baltimore, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Jacobs Field in Cleveland, PETCO Park in San Diego and PNC Park in Pittsburgh. They took note of what worked and what didn't and incorporated the positives into the new Mets' home.

The organization then employed HOK Sport, the designer for seven of the last eight major league stadiums to open, as the architects of the project.

Many of the highlight features of their showcase stadiums are present in their new endeavor. All the seats are angled towards home plate and the field is visible no matter where someone stands on the promenade.

There are four restaurants - seating 3,334 fans all together - that are situated at key places in the park.

There will be no "bad seats" in the house, because the stadim will hold a capacity crowd of 42,500 total with general admission.

It's a drop of over 12,000 seats from Shea Stadium, but the organization feels the lower supply will drive up the demand.

"We don't fill that up, all but a couple of dates," Jeff Wilpon said at the press conference. "It's something that will help sell some more tickets and make it a little more urgent for people to buy season tickets and be part of it."

A PITCHER'S PARK While the fans enjoy the new amenities, the action on the field itself will probably be the familiar brand of Mets baseball that they have witnessed for the past 42 years. The dimensions of the park should favor pitchers, but unlike Shea, the field will be asymmetrical. The left field line will be 335 feet, with left center coming in at 379 feet and dead center will be 408 feet. In right, there will be an overhang of eight feet, but left handed batters will need it as right center jets out to 391 feet, while the line will be c.oming in at 330 feet. continued on page 6

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SbJft5top 10 e Reyes, who Mets fans still be around when the new opens says he's happy about the -eld"s dimensions.

"It's going to be big," he said, "so there's going to be a lot of triples for me. " The spacious room may not favor a power hitter like David Wright, another young Met who will probably be on the roster in 2009, but the third baseman is looking forward to it just the same.

"Excitement comes with a new stadium," Wright said. "Plus we have to try and keep pace with everyone else in the league, so we have to get a new stadium. It's going to look beautiful."

The 23 year-old grew up a Met fan down in Norfolk, the home of the organization's Triple-A affiliate, so while he's excited about the new ballpark, his enthusiasm is tempered a bit , as his fondness for Shea Stadium will always run deep.

"I had a lot of good memories [at Shea]," Wright reflected.

"Hopefully we will have a lot of new memories in the next three years as the new stadium is built."

Reyes agreed with his teammate, saying he'll have some sadness when the place where he made his major league debut joins Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds and old Yankee Stadium, in the history books.

"I am going to miss everything. Having played here at Shea Stadium, I am going to miss it."

A BALLPARK FULL Of HISTORY Though the big blue bowl sometimes gets ridiculed and may not be as aesthetically pleasing as other ballparks, Shea Stadium should be remembered fondly as it goes into history.

When it was constructed in 1964, the building was designed as the first multipurpose facility in the country. The field level seats were able to roll out and easily transform from baseball to football. It also could host an occasional concert. The scoreboard was state of the art at the time, since it was the first to electronically produce pictures on the screen.

It was the site of some of the Mets greatest games and maybe even baseball's best contests. Who could forget the "Grand Slam Single" game in the 1999 playoffs or when Todd Pratt hit a walkoff home run to send the favored Diamondbacks packing? In 1986, the Mets won three postseason games in their last turn at bat - two in the NLCS versus the Astros and of course, Game 6 of the World Series with the miracle comeback against the Red Sox.

There were also the three games won at Shea in the 196 World Series, when both Tommie Agee and Ron Swoboda pe formed miracle catches in the outfield.

Though known as a pitcher's haven, there was only tw no-hitters thrown at Shea - on Father's Day in 1964 when th Phillies' Jim Bunning shut the Amazins' down and then in SeI tember 1969, Bob Moose of the Pittsburgh Pirates blanke New York.

Besides baseball, Shea was the home of the New York Je1 for 19 seasons. In 1968, it was the home to Joe Namath whe he led his team to a Super Bowl victory, which brought cred ibility to the AFL and helped shape the NFL as it is know today.

In fact, the Mets' ballpark was once the busiest stadium i the country and acted as home to four teams in 1975. Whil their parks were being renovated or built, the Yankees and foot ball Giants shared the Stadium in Flushing Meadows with tln Mets and the Jets.

A HOlE FOR lORE THAN dUST BASEBALL

Many historic events outside of the sports world called She: Stadium home. The British invaded America when the Beatle took the stage in 1964. Artists like the Rolling Stones, the Who and Bruce Springsteen also played there. Pope John Paul I even led over 70,000 Catholics in a prayer service in 1979.

"We all know Shea Stadium occupies a place in the bor ough-physicallyand spiritually," Queens Borough Presiden Helen Marshall said at the press conference. "It has served it~

ose well, but now it is time to commence with the conconstruction around the stadium. struction of something new. Shea still has life in it and will That's all for the future, since right now the Mets and their probably forge a few more unforgettable events over the next fans will be getting what they only dreamed about - a new home few years. With the Mets playing some of their best baseball in for their team in Flushing. This will be the first major sports years, the memories will keep coming. facility to open in the confines of New York City since Arthur But there will be Ashe Stadium in 1997 and the one problem. With a first for a major New York create a world-class environment and enduring experience new facility going up team since Madison Square for everyone, especially the best fans in the world. This new in the current parking Garden in 1968. ballpark will become the home our fans have long deserved, lot, getting to Shea "This great project will soone created for shared celebrations among future Mets fans." may be more difficult lidify the Amazins' future in -Mets' CEO Fred Wilpon in 2007 and 2008.

New York," Governor George lth over half of the Pataki said, "by providing a , 00 spaces taken out due to the construction, and many fans world-class entertainment and sports facility that will create thoudriving from Long Island to games, parking will be at a presands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue and mrum. spur further investment and opportunity right here in Queens."

To combat this, the Long Island Railroad and the MTA will Now, after eight years in the making, the Wilpon family will eate additional service, with as many as 12 to 14 trains added be able to realize their dream and build a ballpark that embodto the Port Washington Branch and the No.7 Train on gamedays. ies New York City. ~ But that will be a minor inconvenience for New Yorkers as they get to see a world class facility take shape. When the new ballpark is completed, the City is also planning a $500 million redevelopment project in Flushing and may possibly eliminate the junk yards which reside in Willets Point in favor of new

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College Baseball: The All-Gotham Team wriHen by: Chip Armonaitis ollege baseball is, unfortunately, overlooked and under-publicized throughout the Northeast. Gotham Baseball seeks to honor those players who have sparkled throughout the college baseball season, and the list below notes those players who have stood out above the rest.

Selection to the All-Gotham team is solely about what is done on the field. Major league potential, the relative levels of competition and the size and notoriety of programs is ignored.

Quite simply, these are the guys who just did it. Some we may see at the highest levels of professional baseball, other careers may end when graduation comes. (For one, a different career path is most likely.)

While these are our best in the region, the major league draft showed that these are not the only standouts in the area.

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Catcher - Gerard Haran (The College of New Jersey) - The American Baseball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year, Haran was a consistent standout throughout the year for the Lions. The switch-hitter re-wrote the TCNJ (formerly Trenton State) record book during his career, and finished off a strong junior season with 14 home runs and 64 RBI in only 46 games, while batting .415. In three seasons, Haran slugged 35 home runs, with 162 RBI in 121 games. He has a career batting average of .385 and a career slugging percentage of .735, while being twice named the Division III AllAmerican catcher.

First Base - Matt Rizzotti (Manhattan) Pitched around all season, Rizzotti was able to reach base at .483 clip, while being limited tojust eight home runs and 40 RBI in 52 games. Finishing with a .345 batting average, the slugging sophomore scored 53 runs, while helping lead the Jaspers to the MAAC championship. Rizzotti walked 50 times for the Jaspers while striking out 43 times. Typical of the respect that he was shown can be seen in the Jaspers 5-3 loss to Tulane, when in the third game of Manhattan's opening series, Rizzotti was walked three times by the Green Wave.

Second Base - Randy Gress (Quinni - Not your prototypical offensive se baseman, Gress slugged 11 home runs t( the Northeast Conference and drove in ~ the Bobcats, while batting .30l. HI keyed a hot stretch for the Bobcats, whl ished second in the NEC during the se,

Shortstop - Todd Frazier (Rutgers) - The All Big East shortstop slammed 11 home runs while driving in 51, and batted .366 to lead the Scarlet Knights into the Big East conference playoffs, sending second place Connecticut home early. Frazier was selected to play for the US National Team this summer and is considered one of the top three prospects in the Big East. Frazier stole 21 bases in 28 attempts, and the former Little League V Series star could be a first round pick next June with a straight big year.

Third BaseRicky Caputo (Hofstra) - Playing in the Colonial AthleticAssociation for a team in the lower half of the league is generally not the way to get noticed in Gotham. But he hit .324 with 12 home runs, 47 runs batted in and stole 13 bases, and you demand to be noticed. The two-time Second-Team All-CAA was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 24th round.

Outfield - Will Vogl (St. Johr A First Team All Big East selec St. John's centerfielder proved t one of the best players in the cot during the season. Batting leadoff, belted 14 home runs, drove in 62, v batting .380. Reaching base at a clip enabled the senior to score 64 1

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Outfield - Greg Smith (Fordham) Fordham's top offensive threat throughout the season, Smith's power blossomed, as he slugged 13 home runs and drove in 48, while scoring 46, in 45 games for the Rams.

Smith compiled a 0441 on-base percentage, while slugging at a .696 clip. A 14thround selection of the Pirates, he offers versatility, playing the outfield and first base.

Outfield- Milan Dinga (Army) e Black Knights do-it -all star, Dinga ed All-Patriot League honors in e outfield and on the mound, and GB - doing the same. As the Black ghts left fielder, he slugged seven orne runs, while driving in 35 and .385. The highlight of Dinga's on was against Wagner, when the .or homered to give Army an extra inning lead, which he protected with a 1-2-3 inning as the closer.

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Designated Hitter: John Fitzpatrick _ Ianhattan) - For the fourth straight year, Fitzpatrick was the MAAC AllLeague selection at this position, and it '- easy to see why. Taking advantage - the attention shown teammate Matt Rizzotti, Fitzpatrick's contributions ere one reason why Manhattan made le take notice in the College World .es. Slugging 14 home runs and , ing in 62 runs in 53 games, he hit ...•_5 average while anchoring the Jaspers lineup. Teams . hed around Rizzotti paid for it, as Fitzpatrick's gaudy numbers show.

Utility: Nick Massari (Monmouth) The Northeast Conference Player of the Year, Massari hit 0410, with eight homers and 51 runs batted in for the Hawks, who stumbled down the stretch after being the cream of the NEC early in the year. Batting second, Massari scored 48 runs in 49 games, while providing the Hawks with senior leadership at shortstop in his first year at the position, having started at second base the previous two seasons.

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Pinch Hitter: Chris Joachim (St. John's) - Only a mini-vslump" kept Joachim from hitting 0400 for the season, ending at .398, with a home run and 46 runs batted in.

Joachim also stole 20 bases in 24 attempts while scoring 52 runs in 58 games. Joachim finished third in the Big East in batting average, and was a consistent force for the Red Storm offense throughout the season.

Pitcher: Chris Cody (Manhattan) - The MAAC Pitcher of the Year, Cody should be showing up on plenty of postseason lists. The senior lefthander posted an 11-2 record, including a 1-0 season opening victory over nationally ranked Tulane.

In 99 regular season innings, Cody allowed just 68 hits, while striking out 98 and walking 22. He threw eight complete games, including two shutouts, and was part of a combined shutout in another start. Cody received the decision in all 12 of his starts, and also added a win in his only relief appearance of the year .

Add to that a 4-1 complete game victory over 6th ranked Nebraksa in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, and it is no wonder that the Detroit Tigers selected Cody in the eighth round, 232nd overall.

Closer: Milan Dinga (Army) - How can you beat these numbers? Army's closer continued a stellar career by posting a 0048 ERA in 18.2 innings (he allowed one run) while compiling 10 saves. He struck out 22 batters, and allowed only 12 hits and two walks.

Freshman of the Year: Rick Niederhaus (Monmouth) - A consistent offensive force during the second half of the regular season, this freshman forced his way onto the NEC All-Conference Team at the designated hitter spot.

Team of the Year: Manhattan - While St. John's compiled a great record (40-19), and Rutgers sent a few people packing in the Big East, it came down to Princeton, Sacred Heart and Manhattan as Gotham residents in the NCAA baseball tournament. The Jaspers, with wins over Nebraska and San Francisco, deserve the praise.

With ace Chris Cody on the mound, Manhattan was more than enough for anyone to handle, but a well balanced offense, with contributions from Fitzpatrick, Rizzotti, Nick Derba and Mike Garcia, propelled them to within one game of advancing to the next round of the tournament.

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Yankee closer Mariano Rivera is baseball's best closer. Ever. me, he s the greatest modern day weapon I hav

or played against. He has been the heart and s the New York Yankees dynasty. " - Alex Rodriguez.

It's a beautiful spring day in the Bronx. Though before game-time, there's a smattering offans, young ar gathered around the Yankees' dugout. All are wearing form of the classic interlocking "NY" logo, all hoping an autograph, perhaps a wave or, at the very least, a from one of their pinstriped heroes.

The normally reserved players are in a relatively mood - the Yankees had beat the Blue Jays in a solid 3路 the night before - and they oblige the fans by signing balls.

Then, he emerges from the dugout. Though he's onlj ing out of the dugout to take part in a photo shoot, the gathering is immediately silent, and begin to clap tha clap that one sees in those sports movies. Though si celluloid, this entrance is as exciting to them as his tro the bullpen in a tight ballgame. His simple action ofw out onto the sun-splashed Yankee Stadium grass is a tl cal event. His uniform gleams in the bright light, and it esty is matched only by his easy smile as he outstretc1 hand and asks "What do you need me to do?"

When it's explained to him that he should just pose "set" position, he obliges, albeit with a grin. "No smile writer jokingly scolds him. "Okay", he answers. But 0 tell that he's complying reluctantly. After a moment, he grinning, and finally stares that stare at the camera. Th den change in his appearance is abrupt and for a me both the photographer and the interviewer shudder -

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- e--- as they get a taste of what's it's like to be an opposing in the box against the Hammer of God, Fonner teammate Tony Womack once described how dev- g a pitch Mariano Rivera's cut fastball is back in 2004, g ew York Magazine that "when (Rivera) throws (his ) you think it's straight, and the next thing you know, it's your thumbs."

That one pitch has made Rivera e most effective relief pitcher of time. There really is no argument. Yes, other closers have en-0_ .ed dominating portions of their careers, like Hall Of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley. Sure, even Allof recent vintage like Eric Gagne have posted a season or two to, or even a little better than - .era's best statistical campaigns.

But no one has been better longer, d no one even sniffs his postseason numbers; 72 post seagames, 0.81 ERA and 34 - res. The World Series MVP in 999 and the ALCS MVP in 2003 -- the best closer in baseball, and stands alone as the most feared d revered reliever in the history o baseball.

It's a good thing that his early as a starter ended as quickly - - began.

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think he could stand the strain of starting. ..His fastball was sc good that if it went three-quarters speed it would be good. A~ he progressed in his career, the first few years with Joe, he wm a set-up guy. But when he came in before (former Yankee close} John) Wetteland, the game was over; he was that good. YOli didn't get anything off of Mo. Deep down inside, you knew when the closer left, Mariano wm going to be the next closer, be¡ cause he was that good ana that s what happened.

He hasn t changed; he throws om pitch. His ball is so alive thai when he throws a fastball ii moves like a cutter. So he reo ally hasn ~changed too much.

He hasn t added anything else in his arsenal. Still he throws anywherefrom 92 to 95 MPH He can still throw that. I neven knew he had any. Ijust cal him Mo. That s all I call him by.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

In 1995, Rivera made 10 starts after he reached the bigs: going 3-3 with a 5.94 ERA in 50 innings. Had he had more starts like he did on July 4ft that season, the Hammer 01 God story might read a little HISTORY LESSON differently, as he was splendid against the White Sox that day, Born on Nov. 29, 1969, in allowing just two hits over eight innings, striking out 11. He ~~"l:I City, Panama, Rivera was signed as a non-drafted free didn't however, and even his three scoreless innings of reliet in 1990 and began his professional career with the Gulf Yankees. It would take nearly six seasons for the young that earned him his first postseason win in Game 2 of the 1995 ri!!bt-baJndl!fto make it to the major leagues, and he persevered ALDS against Seattle hardly opened any eyes.

In 1996, new manager Joe Torre wasn't even sure what role tbr1~_~ injury and inconsistency to make the dream a reality Rivera would fill going into the season, telling the New York broke into the big leagues on May 23, 1995.

Daily News that Rivera e becoming the "needed a change-up." lX&f':I5" pitching coach for 'VI"'! .I. 0 me, he's the greatest modem day weapon I have seen or "To be a starter, he has eason, former played against. He has been the heart and soul of the New York to have a change," said !ie1ir-haroer and Cy Young Yankees dynasty." winner Ron Guidry Torre, who believed that - Yankees' Third Baseman, Alex Rodriguez several seasons workRivera would spend the g training in1996 season as a swingman, not a setup man or starter exclusively. the Yankees, and he recalled seeing Rivera as a History tells us that Torre and his coaches realized quickly that Rivera's arm was its mightiest that season, and he responded I saw him throw, the first person who he reminded by allowing striking out 130 batters over 107.7 innings and ___as) we're both small with a real graceful delivery. allowing just a single home run.

'I don i know what this kid future is going to be, but it a eood foture if he becomes a reliever', because I didn't continued on page 12

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ANOTHER 10 DOWN BELOW?

By Linda Berardelli t won't happen tomorrow, but when the legendary Mariano Rivera hangs up his pinstripes for good, who will be the next Yankee closer?

Though the history of the Yankees suggests that the next stopper might come from another organization (the club's pursuit of free-agent B.J. Ryan in the off season to "set up" Rivera for the next few years was a possible sign of that intent), the team's recent dependence on a much improved farm system could prove helpful in that endeavor as well.

Given Rivera was a converted starter, a hard-thrower like Triple-A left-hander Sean Henn - whose mid-90's velocity is back to it's pre-Tommy John surgery nastiness - could be a candidate. However, when looking in the Yankees' system, there are a few reliever prospects - headed by the dUQof Josh Schmidt, Justin Pope, and Mike Martinez - who could be asked to fill the large shoes of Rivera when that dreaded time arrives.

Right now, the bullpen prospect with the most upside is Schmidt, a 23-year-old right-hander from Sierra Madre, Califomia. He's currently pitching in the bullpen for the SingleA Tampa Yankees after a brilliant 2005 at Staten Island. In helping the Baby Bombers win the New York-Penn League title last season, Schmidt compiled a 5-1 record with an impressive 0.25 ERA in 26 games, posting 13 saves in 33 innings of work.

During the season he allowed just 14 hits and one run while striking out 47 batters and walking a mere eight in 26 appearances. His stellar efforts earned him the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year for the New York Penn League as well as Reliever of the Year by Minor League Baseball. Thus far, in the more difficult Florida State League (bypassing the Single- A South Atlantic League), At press time, Schmidt has a 2-3 record with a 4.63 ERA, allowing 25 runs and 35 hits in 44.2 innings, striking out 42 batters and walking 19.

Though an advanced 26 at Double-A, Pope is a pitcher that is highly regarded by the Yankee organization. Acquired from the Cardinals for Sterling Hitchcock in 2003, Pope has enjoyed more success as a reliever after spending most of his early Jllirior league career as a starter.

At press time, he was 2-1 with a 1.63 ERA in 29 games with 19 saves at Trenton after an early season stint at TripleA Columbus as a setup man for Mark Corey. In 2005, while pitching for Trenton, Pope went 6-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 57 games with 29 saves. He gave up 24 earned runs, 55 hits over 77 innings of work, striking out 55 batters while walkingjust 20.1,;

In 1997, a Hammer was Born, as his heavy cutter opponents bats regularly. Even his failure in that year's against Cleveland - Sandy Alomar Jr. hit a game-tyin] run off him in Game 4 and the Indians later won the gal the series in Game 5 - didn't stop Yankee fans from ma in his immense talent.

ONLY HUIAN For all of his greatness following that 1997 ALDS there have been other times when the right arm of Riv not delivered, when even his devastating cut fastball I end its flight in triumph. His failure to protect a 2-1 Game 7 of the 2001 World Series was cataclysmic to m ESPN.com's Dave Schoenfeld: Rivera trudged mound as the losing pitcher, hanging his head as the b. erupted. The Sandman had never done that before, no career playoff appearances. He hadn't given up a run i those appearances. He once pitched a record 34 1/3 sc innings in the postseason. He had converted 23 cons, save chances in the playoffs since Sandy Alomar s home Game 4 of the 1997 Division Series. He had allowed 01 earned run in 15 2/3 innings this postseason entering t, tom of the ninth.

You don't beat the Yankees until you beat Rivera.

"That's baseball," Rivera said. "There's nothing I about it."

WORLD CHAIPION The Yankees haven't won a World Series since 200 1, it can hardly be blamed on Rivera. However, his inab hold a one-run lead against the hated Red Sox in Game L ALCS played a mind-boggling role in the Reverse of the as Boston's "W" would become the first of four straigl

by Boston after New York had fashioned a 3-0 series Ie It was mind-boggling because he was coming off a in which he led the AL with a career-high 53 saves and astounding 1.94 ERA. Still, those failures pale in comparison to the accor ments, as his role in the four World Series championshij by the New York Yankees are unparalleled in baseball l

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CLOSING GAMES: YET ANOTHER YANKEE TRADITION royo broke that in 1961 with 15 wins in relief. Page spent the first three seasons as a struggling starter before Yankee maru ariano Rivera may be the latest and greatest Yankee ager Bucky Harris placed him in the 'pen in 1947. He respondec reliever to ply his trade in the pinstripes, but like playalmost immediately, going 14-8 with 17 saves and a 2.48 ERA' ing center field in the Stadium's long navy line of AllIn that year's Fall Classic, Page saved Game One and won thG Star performers during their title-winning campaigns, clincher, holding the Dodgers to one hit in five innings. making a mark out of the Bombers' bullpen has been a Sparky Lyle: Lyle lead the AL in saves in 1972, 1976, anc ong standing Bronx tradition during their title runs. in 1977 he became the first reliever ever to win the AL Cy Wiley Moore: The first accomplished New York stopper, Young Award, as he helped lead the Yankees to their first World _ Ioore was among the firstrnop-up" guys to be utilized as a Series win since 1962. Known more for his slider than his weapon in late inning situations. Possessed fastball, he was a mediocre pitcher before the Yanwith a sidearm sinker he developed after an kees dealt for him prior to the 1972 season. He arm injury in the minors, he didn't break into had 35 saves for the Yankees in 1972,27 saves in the majors until he was thirty. That year, with 1973, a career-low 1.66 ERA in 1974, and anALthe 1927 "Murderers' Row" club that debest 23 saves in 1976 as the Yankees won the AL stroyed opponents at the dish, Moore did his championship. In 1977 Lyle won 13 games, saved damage on the mound. He went 19-7, led the 26, and became the first reliever to win the Cy league with 13 relief wins and 13 saves, and Young Award. The Yankees responded by signposted what should have been a game-best 2.28 ing Goose Gossage to be the club's closer, and ERA, but he did not qualify as the requirement after the season Lyle was traded to Texas in a 10for an ERA title was not innings pitched, but player-deal that brought Dave Righetti to the number of complete games (10). Arm probBronx. lems cut short his career, but his dominance Goose Gossage: The hard-throwing Gossage out of the 'pen was a forewas the most devastating shadowing of things to closer in baseball from 1978come. efty Gomez, when asked to predict how many games he 1983, and in his first season in Johnny Murphy: (Gomez) would win in the upcoming season, replied "Ask NcwYork, he went 10-11 with Though known more for Murphy."

27 saves, helping the 1978 . construction of the 1969 Yankees win their second conAmazin' Mets championsecutive championship. After - . team, Murphy was the first relief pitcher to be called a "firea clubhouse scuffle with Cliff Johnson cut short his 1979 sea". The right-handed control pitcher was baseball's first great son, he bounced back with a a career-high 33 games in 1980.

- - r, earning a great reputation during his 13-year career for He posted 20 saves in the strike-shortened 1981 season, put up . g out fires." Known for his devastating curve and pin30 saves in 1982, 13 wins and 22 saves in 1983, but signed accuracy, he held the lifetime record for saves (107) and with the Padres as a free agent following that season . . - in relief (73) for nearly thirty-odd years. Murphy, who John Wetteland: Though he pitched just two seasons in his career as a starter in 1934, led the majors in saves in New York, Wetteland's acquisition from Montreal before the seasons, with a high of 19 in 1939. He also set then-records 1995 season was integral to the team's return to postseason s: _ "ins in relief in 1937 and 1943. His best season came in baseball for the first time since the 1981 World Series defeat to _ when he had 15 saves, a 1.98 ERA and an 8-3 record. the Los Angeles Dodgers. He posted an AL-best 43 saves in Le - - . Gomez , when asked to predict how many games he 1996 season, won that year's Rolaids Relief Man Award, posted Gomez) would win in the upcoming season, replied "Ask an MLB-record seven saves during the playoffs, including four hv." in the World Series against the Atlanta Braves, which earned -Page: Page replaced Murphy as the Yankee bullpen ace, him the World Series MVP Award. His decision to sign with an in 1949, posted an then MLB-record 27 saves that stood Texas after the Series opened the door for Rivera to be the full until 1961. He broke Murphy's record with 14 relief wins in time closer, and the rest, as they say, is history. ~ 19 -, and held that record until the next Yankee closer LuisAry Mark Healey

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30TH ANNIVERSARY OF TH YANKEES RENAISSANCE

by: Cecilia Tan

called them the "CBS Years," the dark, dismal time when CBS owned the Yankees and the team floundered in mediocrity from 1965-1972. In 1973, a Midwestern shipping magnate named George Steinbrenner bought the team and immediately plunged them into a two-year renovation of Yankee Stadium, exiling them to Shea for 1974 and 1975. But in 1976 everything finally came together, and one memorable dinger delivered the first pennant to the Bronx since 1964. Now on the 30th anniversary of the '76 pennant, GB looks back on the Yankees' return to prominence.

Munson took home the A MVP Award and six Yankee went to the All-Star Game Chambliss, Hunter, Lyle Munson, Randolph, and River:

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The real challenge earn with the American Leagu Championship Series. The besi of- five ALCS had only begu in 1969, so the Yankees had never played in one. "Billy Marti was as nervous as can be," Maddox recalls. "He was just be side himself. He wanted to win so much. Billy just wanted t join the ranks [of winning managers like] Casey Stengel an be a winner in New York."

They faced the Kansas City Royals led by hot-hitting Georg Brett, who had tallied 215 hits that season. In the top of the fin the Yankees jumped out to a two-run lead, partly on an error b Brett, and Catfish Hunter pitched seven scoreless innings be fore the Royals nicked him for one in the eighth.

The Yankees came right back with two more, and Hunte completed the game for the 4-1 win.

The Royals exacted revenge the next night. The Yankee chased Dennis Leonard in the third inning, but the Royal roughed up Ed Figueroa for 4 runs, then got another 3 off H liever Dick Tidrow. The final stood at 7-3, the series tied .

"That was the year we had just acquired Willie Randolph from Pittsburgh," recalls outfielder Elliott Maddox. "We traded Bobby Bonds to the Angels, so we picked up Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa for Bonds. With those acquisitions, we knew we had a good shot."

Figueroa would go 19-10, Rivers led the team with his .312 average and between the two of them Randolph and RivBACK TO THE STADIUI ers stole 80 bases. Thurman Munson, the undisputed leader of the team, hit .302 with 105 RBI, Graig Nettles hit 32 home The series then shifted to the remodeled Yankee Stadiur runs, and Chris Chambliss batted .293 and led the team with for the final three games of the set. The Royals drew first blooc 188 hits. The pitching was solid as Catfish Hunter and Dock jumping out to three run lead in the first in Game Three, bi Ellis racked up 17 wins Chambliss hit a two-run shot i the fourth and they chase apiece, and Sparky Lyle and Dick "Dirt" Tidrow illy Martin was as nervous as can be. He was just beside starter Andy Hassler with had 33 saves between himself. He wanted to win so much. Billy just wanted to join three-run sixth. Dock Elli them. the ranks [of winning managers like] Casey Stengel and be a earned the win and Sparky Lyl Between the stacked winner in New York." the save by pitching the nintl Yankees' Outfielder, Elliott Maddox If the Yankees could bee lineup and dominant

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pitching, the Yankees ran away with the East.

"Yeah, we led from start to finish that whole season," says Roy White, who scored 104 runs that year. "The lowest our lead got down to was about five games in August, and then we went on a winning streak and extended it back up to nine or ten. So winning the American League East that year was kind of a cake walk for us."

the Royals one more time, the would win the pennant in four games, but the Royals had othe ideas. This time Catfish could not keep the Royals down, an they nicked him for three runs in the second, and after givin up a double to Hal Mckae and a triple to DH Jamie Quirk t start the fourth, he was pulled. The Yankees lost 7-4 and set u the win-or-go-home Game Five.

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Ed Figueroa toed the rubber for New York and the first two Royals were retired smoothly. But Brett doubled and John Mayberry landed one in the short porch in right, just beyond the reach of Oscar Gamble. Un fazed, Figueroa struck out Hal McRae, and his hitters went out and got the runs right back, plus some. Dennis Leonard lasted only nine pitches into his start when a triple, infield hit, and a single to left brought one run in and had two men in scoring position with three lefty hitters coming up, Chris Chambliss, Carlos May, and Graig Nettles.

Nettles watched the pitching change-to the "Yankee Killer," lefty Paul Splittorff-with dismay. "I was hitting sixth in that lineup and I was hoping to see the righthander," he recalls.

Chambliss managed a long sac fly to score a run, but May and Nettles went back empty handed. The game was tied, 2-2.

ing to win, you're going to win, yot going to win."

CHAIBLISS TO THE RESCUE

The tie held into the bottom of ninth, when a big rookie warmed UI= the mound for the Royals. Mark Lii was known for his fastball, and as C Chambliss took his place in the on d circle, several other Yankees were f ing quite hopeful. "Mark Littell was perfect pitcher for Chris to bat again according to Elliott Maddox. "He become such a good fastball hitter, made the fastball look like a change-r Meanwhile, rowdy denizens of right f started throwing bottles at right fie] Hal McRae and the game was delayed while the debris ' cleared from the field.

Willie Randolph remembers the delay well, in which Lii stood on the mound watching the grounds crew instead of c tinuing to throw.

"I thought, 'Gee, I wonder if this guy is going to stiffen t Whether stiff or not, Littell had confidence in his fastl: Y AIKS KEEP RALLYIIG He had beaten Chambliss with it earlier in the series. He th The Royals got another run in the second, but the Yankees the high heater, thinking Chambliss would swing and miss. came back with two in the third, when the table-setters of Mickey stead, Chambliss connected for what Murray Chass descri Rivers and Roy White came around again. Rivers singled, White in the New York Times as "a blow that rivaled Bol walked, and Munson knocked one in. Chambliss grounded out, Thompson's 1951 home run." As the ball disappeared into allowing another run to score and give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. stands, fans came pouring out onto the field. Nettles grab The Yankees next rally came in the sixth, and again started Chambliss' bat, several other players attempted to make ~ with Mickey Rivers, who had his third hit of the night, this one Chris touched all the bases, but they soon fled to the clubhoi a bunt single. White sacrificed him to second, and Munson The jubilant fans had tom up the bases and carried them av brought him in to score-though he was gunned down trying to Some time la stretch the hit to a double. the on-field party: Chambliss followed his own continuing, the t ery nai'lb" - itmg at the time. But when you're in the heat of base hit with a stolen base and pires escor the game, you're just thinking you're going to win, you're crossed the plate on a ball that Chambliss back to going to win, you're going to win."

George Brett threw away. 6-3 field, protected b Yankees' Second Baseman, Willie Randolph Yankees. phalanx of N KAISAS CITY FIGHTS BACK York's Finest, The three-run lead seemed make sure he touc safe when, after allowing a the spot approximately where home plate had been. Penr leadoff single in the eighth, Figueroa was lifted for reliever Grant fever had claimed New York utterly. The Yankees themsel Jackson, who was tough on lefties. With Brett coming up, Marpartied the night through. But dawn, and the World Series, cs tin figured now would be the time to pit Jackson against him. all too quickly, and the hard-fought and emotional series But pinch-hitter Jim Wolford got a pinch-hit, and Brett, repredrained the Yanks. Cincinnati's Big Red Machine, well-res senting the tying run, came to the plate. "Brett had already hit after their three-game sweep of Philadelphia, plowed throi us pretty good in that series so I kind of thought we were due to them easily in four straight games. The experience was enoi get him out," says Roy White. White's prediction was wrong, to light a fire under the Yankees, such that they would retur as Brett smacked a three-run job that tied the game. Willie the World Series in the next two years, winning both times Randolph describes it as "very nail-biting at the time. But when you're in the heat of the game, you're just thinking you're go-

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written by: Cecilia Tan here are more players in the Hall of Fame representing the Yankees than there are any other team, but as Don Mattingly has proved, being a dominant star in New York is no guarantee of induction. Had he played for championship teams and/or had a back injury not robbed him of his power, Mattingly might have been a shoe-in.

But it takes a certain mix of accomplishments, awards, longevity, pedigree and luck to make it into the Cooperstown ranks.

Who, then, of the Joe Torre Yankees can we reasonably expect to see joining the other 42 former Yankees already enshrined?

The current team includes a few sure things, a few who are shoe-ins if they keep it up, and some on-the-fence candidates.

Not counting Roger Clemens (who may not enter the Hall as a Yankee, but who is a lock for induction) there are quite a few recent Yankees we may see making the upstate trek soon.

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Like Clemens, this man will make it on the first ballot, and also like Clemens, it is not known whose hat he will wear into the hall. If he retired today, he would still be a sure thing, despite struggles in pinstripes.

"My career is almost over. I'm not in the middle, I'm not in the beginning, I'm more towards the end," Johnson says. So then, why come to the Yankees, to the toughest division in baseball and the biggest pressure cooker? "I don't think there is any bigger challenge toward the end than to come here and do the things I do, and still do them at my age. If you are not into challenges, this obviously wouldn't be the place to come late in your career." Johnson would like to tack a few more lines onto that Hall of Fame resume, maybe even another ring, but he will be enshrined regardless.

Joe Torre There is little doubt that Joe Torre's name will forever be bandied about with legendary names like Casey Stengel and Miller Huggins, whom he now rivals in terms of games and pennants won with the Yankees under his tenure. There are seventeen managers in the Hall of Fame, all elected by the veterans

committee. Given the near-universal respect players and forme) players have for Torre as well as for the difficult job he excel: at in New York, it would take some kind of wildfire of anti Yankee sentiment to keep Joe from being elected. (Those whc are anti-Steinbrenner are all the more sympathetic to Joe.)

Mariano Rivera As with most players, if you ask him, the Hall of Fame i1 only an abstract and distant dream. Rivera is focused on win' ning now. But if you poll members of the media, coaches, anc players on other teams, Mariano's induction is a sure thing After over a decade of total domination as a reliever, the only reservations one can have are over the fact that there is a deartl of relief pitchers in the hall. "I think having Bruce [Sutter] ge in this year is going to open the door," Mariano says wher pressed on the issue. "Dennis Eckersley before and Bruce now will hopefully open the door for relievers, so when I retire 1 have the chance to be in there." If Me had a vote, it would be for anothei Yankee reliever: Goose Gossage.

dUST , I'TTER OFTilE Derek Jeter When asked ifhe ever thinks about the Hall of Fame, Jeter's response is an emphatic "no no no." Eleven years into his career, though, and J eter is looking like more and more of a sure thing all the time. When he broke in: of course there was talk of the "three shortstops," Alex Rodriguez, Noma!

Garciaparra, and Jeter. "There was a time when all three ofthem could have been headed for the Hall of Fame," says Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

"But time separates them. Time separates. Which one was the dominant player at his position over a span of ten years? Only Jeter."

The question becomes how long can Jeter keep it up, and ifhe is ever hurt, would he end up in a similar boat to Donnie Baseball? Jeter's championship pedigree, national popularity, reputation for making the game-changing play, and controversyfree career to date are what make him a shoe-in. continued on page 18

Alex Rodriguez "I'll tell you a funny story," Alex Rodriguez says when asked about his Hall of Fame chances.

"I went to play in the Hall of Fame Game in 2001. But one of the things I had said to myself was I didn't want to ever go to the Hall of Fame [until inducted]. Guys on my team were taking tours of the Hall of Fame while I stayed in my room for a day and a half. I wouldn't take any tours. I just played in the game. So I'm kind of superstitious." He needn't worry. A-rod to date has even better Hall of Fame stats than Jeter and the change of position from short to third will not affect his chances. Just a few more years doing what he has been doing, or a few searing postseason moments, will cement that legacy.

011 THE fEIICE Mike Mussina Had Mussina's dominating years been pitched for a winning team, his career might be viewed differently. But his true days of artistry came with a mediocre Baltimore squad, and some Moose watchers believe that ever since breaking his nose when struck by a line drive in 1998, his effectiveness pitching inside has been limited. Since coming to New York he has shown flashes of brilliance, as when he beat Barry Zito 1-0 in game three of the 2001 ALDS and his near-perfect game at Fenway Park. But despite 6 Gold Gloves and 5 All-Star selections, the sum of his contributions has fallen short of the total dominance needed for the Hall of Fame. He has pitched four one-hitters, but never a no-hitter; he has won 19 games twice, but never 20; he has never won a Cy Young Award. He is 5th on the list for total strikeouts of the past 10 years, topped by Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, and Roger Clemens. Every one ofthose guys has multiple Cy Youngs on his shelf. Moose, with none, always finds himself just a wee bit behind these others, and he might find himself too far behind them to make it to Cooperstown. His best shot is to win the Cy Young Award this year and rack up as many strikeouts as possible.

Bernie Williams When asked about Bernie Williams' Hall of Fame chances, former Yankee centerfielder Bobby Murcer replied "Bernie would be in MY Hall of Fame." According to the HOF Monitor (see sidebar), Bernie Williams has the resume of a Hall of Fame player. He has climbed to the top of many postseason

records and also on many Yankee All-Time lists. Only players have played more games for the Yankees in their reer than Bernie: Mantle, Gehrig, Berra, and Ruth. Bernie more hits than Joe DiMaggio, is 6th on the Yankee All-l home run list, fourth on the doubles list, seventh on the list, 3rd on the grand slams list, and won the batting tit] 1998, something only seven previous Yankees had done. He was the MVP of the 1996 ALCS, was a fivetime All-Star, won the Gold Glove four times, and holds the record now for most post-season home runs at 22. (Manny Ramirez is next with 20), post-season RBI with 83 (David Justice is at #2 with 63), and postseason runs scored with 83 (Jeter is next at 81). With a resume like that, why isn't Bernie a shoe-in? In a poll of 25 New York media members, most of whom have watched Bernie his whole career, the overwhelming response was that Bernie is "on the bubble." A look at the st tical analyses which handicap Hall induction show a m outcome. (See sidebar) What does this mean for Bernie' has never won a league MVP award and has won only batting title. Bernie's truly dominant years were 1998-2' which is not quite a long enough span of dominance for IT Hall of Fame voters. Bernie could help his case by turning monster year this year and taking advantage of injuries to ers that give him more playing time.

Gary Sheffield A look at Gary Sheffield's career numbers may surprise The man is approaching 500 home runs, 2500 hits, and h lifetime .297 batting average. (His numbers run very simil Bernie Williams.) But although Sheffield has the numben hasn't had the career. The constant shuffle from team to t and his involvement with the Barry BondslBALCO ster abuse scandal both hurt his chances significantly. Ifhe real 500 homers, voters will have to decide whether the taint 0 steroid era is enough to make him the first 500 HR hitter t excluded from HOF company. His 2006 wrist injury prob takes him out of the league MVP running, but a dominant tober would help his case.

Johnny Damon When asked who in the Yankee clubhouse has a shot a Hall, Yogi Berra pointed at Johnny Damon. When told of'Yc estimation of his prowess, Damon was humbled. "It's defin a special honor for him to say that. There is an outside cha I'd have to keep playing for another 6-7 years so I can gl 3000 hits." Damon is no idiot in that regard; reaching 3000 is probably the only way to punch his ticket to Coopersto

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"Winning a couple more championships could [help.]. That's what I'm worried about right now, winning championships, and we'll let that other stuff take care of itself."

OILY II IIEW YORK Paul O'Neill O'Neill will be the first of the Torre Dynasty Yankees to come up for possible induction. He was revered by Yankee fandom for his intensity and clutch hitting, and was the de facto "captain" in all but name during his tenure (Jeter was formally named captain after O'Neill's retirement). He won a batting title with Cincinnati, played in three perfect games, was an AllStar five times, and batted .284 in 299 postseason at bats during championship runs in both New York and Cincinnati. But five World Series rings (one from Cincy) are not enough to vault him into Cooperstown.

Andy Pettitte In his heyday in New York, Pettitte was hailed as a latter day Whitey Ford. He won 21 games his rookie season (1996, finished 2nd in Cy Young voting) and had 21 again in 2003.

His reputation as a big game pitcher was built on postseason performances like those in 2001 that earned him the ALCS MVP Award. Had he stayed in New York and continued to dominate in postseason play, he would have improved his chances. Injuries limited him to 15 starts his first year in Houston, where he has also been overshadowed by his good friend Clemens. For Pettitte to make the Hall, he will have to be Clemens-like in longevity and win total. Now in his 12th season, he needs to win 16 games for the next 8 years to reach 300 wins路iI

HANDICAPPING THE HALL There are four stat crunches, as shown on Baseball-Reference.com, based on ideas expounded by Bill James in The Politics of Glory, that can predict Hall induction by comparing certain benchmarks and achievements of current players to those who have been previous inducted. They are: BLACK INK: Comparing only the "boldface" stats where a player led the league in batting, home runs, pitching, etc. This measure does penalize modern players somewhat as now there are many more players and teams (14-16) to compete with than the eight team leagues the older players had.

GRAY INK: Comparing not just the boldface/frrst place stats, but all appearances in the top ten in various categories.

HOF Career Standards Test: Awards points for certain benchmarks, such as each 150 hits above 1500, one point for each .005 of batting average over .275, 1 point for each 100 runs over 900, and so on. The average Hall-of-Famer scores 50 points, with 100 being the maximum.

HOF MONITOR: Measures how likely (not how deserving) a player is to be inducted, by assigning points such as 8 points for each MVP award, 3 for each All-Star selection, 6 points for leading the league in bating average, and so on. Anyone searing over 100 is likely to be inducted.

PJayerName

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Black Ink

Average HOF Pitcher Roger Clemens Randy Johnson Mariano Rivera Mike Mussina Andy Pettitte

100 326 313 152 102 95

Average HOF Hitter Alex Rodriguez Derek Jeter Bernie Williams Gary Sheffield PauIO'N eill Johnny Damon

100 250 162 133 132 71 60

"numbers supplied by Sean Forman, Baseball-Reference.com

Gray Ink

HOF Standards

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100 96 9 14 5

314 262 30 215 92

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THE HALL?

by: Cecilia Tan

ust think.

If Vernon Stouffer and George Steinbrenner had gotten along better, Steinbrenner right now might be famous for being the irascible and driven owner of the Cleveland Indians.

In 1971, Steinbrenner tried to buy the Indians from Stouffer for $9 million. The deal was never consummated, and instead Steinbrenner set his sights on the Yankees, whom he purchased for $8.7 million in 1973.

It has now been 33 years of The Boss, making him the Yankee-owner with the longest staying power and also the baseball owner who has been in the major leagues the longest. But will we ever see him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown?

Let's see. He was suspended from operating his team in 1974 by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for making illegal contributions to the Nixon campaign. In 1990 he was banned again, for life this time by commissioner Fay Vincent, for hiring two-bit crook Howie Spira to dig up dirt on Dave Winfield. In a reversal, though, of the time when fans chanted "Steinbrenner Sucks!" (in response to Reggie Jackson's triumphant return to the Stadium in an Angels uniform), this news of Steinbrenner's barring made the rounds of radio-enabled fans at the Stadium and the Boss was given a standing ovation of support. The "lifetime" ban lasted only until 1993, and since

that time, both the Yankees and Steinbrenner have been quite successful.

Steinbrenner was the first owner to use free agency to maximum advantage and his actions over the past 33 years have often put him at the head of the pack.

The Yankees under his tenure have increased the amount of advanced scouting they do of other teams, especially for postseason play, and have aggressively pursued international baseball talent, including both flops (Hideki Irabu, Jose Contreras) and stars (Hideki Matsui, Orlando Hernandez), and players who were otherwise overlooked by other teams (Alfonso Soriano).

Steinbrenner's front office team have also been much more aggressive at marketing the Yankees and signing endorsement deals and partnerships than most other major league teams, ranging from a comarketing deal with U.K's Manchester United (soccer) to a multi-year effort with Adidas that had some MLB executives fuming. When asked if Steinbrenner belongs in the Hall of Fame, over 90% of New York media and reporters said yes, because his contributions to the game have been so significant.

Steinbrenner believes that what is good for the Yankees is good for baseball, and for the most part he has been right.

Old grudges and past conflicts probably insure that if George is Hall-bound, it will be after he passes away, though. ~

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season, both of Gotham's MLB teams enjoyed breakout seasons from young players.

The Mets' dynamic duo of David Wright and Jose Reyes enjoyed their best seasons to date and gave the Amazins one of the best left sides of the infield in baseball- the only one better perhaps residing in the Bronx where AL MVP Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter pay third base and shortstop respectively. The Bronx also saw youth prevail, as Yankees rookies Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang helped the Pinstripers win the AL East.

This season, even more help is on the way as Mets' outfielder Lastings Milledge and Yankees' youngster Melky Cabrera - each is ranked as a Top 5 Prospect for their respective teams

by Gotham Baseball- and are being relied upon to produce at the big league level before their 23rd birthday.

Can they handle the bright lights of the Big Apple?

Perhaps they will. However, if they don't live up to their big buildup immediately, will they fizzle quickly, never to be heard of again? Or will they instead overcome the intial disappointment of a Hall of Fame career unrealized and become a solid contributor to a winning team?

Yes, for every Ruben Rivera, Hensley Meulens and Kevin Maas or an Alex Escobar, Paul Wilson and Gregg Jeffries, there's been a number of homegrown Yanks and Mets that may not have up to their respective expectations.

Yet, for this particular group of players, failing to live up to the hype didn't - and hasn't - hurt their standing in the hearts of the Gotham faithful:

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Ed Kranepool (1962-1979, First Baseman): After signing an $85,000 bonus out of James Monroe High School in the Bronx, Kranepool joined the Mets as a 17 year old in their inaugural season of 1962.

Though he had some success - Kranepool slugged 16 home runs in 1966 and batted .280 with 14 home runs in 1971 - most of his major-league success came as a pinch hitter. The native New Yorker collected 17 pinch hits in 35 appearances in 1974 for a .486 batting average, and had 13 pinch hits in 29 appearances for a .448 average in 1977. He was a member of both the 1969 Miracle Mets that won the World Series and the 1973 Mets that won the National League pennant.

However, while Kranepool's inability to live up to the high expectations did not seem to prevent him from becoming an all-time fan favorite, it

did prove one thing; that former Yankee GM George Weiss' skill as a talent evaluator did not follow him from the Bronx to Flushing.

Ron Swoboda (1965-1970, Outfielder): Swoboda joined the Mets as a highly touted power hitter and showed fine promise by belting 19 home runs in his rookie year of 1965. A .222 average and just eight home runs in 1966 was looked at by many (remember, "Rocky" was only 22) as a "sophomore slump on a bad ballclub. So when he improved to 13 homers, 17 doubles and a .281 batting average in 1967, things were looking quite promising for the progressing Mets, who were hoping that they were going to produce their first star. Though the latter never materialized, he was a valuable platoon man during the unforgettable "Miracle Mets" season of 1969, driving in nearly half of his season-total 52 RBIs during the final five weeks of the pennant season's stretch drive. During this drive for the pennant, he slugged two home runs off Hall-of-Farner Steve Carlton when the ace lefty stuck out 19 Mets batters only to lose. Finally, his name was etched forever in Mets' lore with his diving catch he made of a vicious liner off the bat of Brooks Robinson that helped the Mets to the World's Championship. Like Kranepool, his failure to deliver on high expectations didn't stop the Shea faithful from treating Swoboda as one of their own forever.

Ken Singleton (1970-1971, Outfielder): One of the first dumb moves in organizational history.

Another native New Yorker, Singleton was a powerful switch hitter who was leading the International League in hitting when he was called up to the Mets in June of 1970. Fresh off their WS championship, the Mets' first-ever title defense was hampered by a lack of offense. While the Mets' 3.89 ERA was tops in the NL, the team - outside of Donn Clendenon (.288/22/97) and Tommie Agee (.286/24/75), was anemic offensively. Cleon Jones, whose brilliant .340 campaign of 1969 is seemingly always lost in other's heroics, slumped to just .277, 10 homers and just 63 RBIs. In Singleton, Mets' brass felt - as well as the fan base - here was a player that would deliver an immediate impact. Though, he showed some promise with a .263 batting average and five home runs in 69 games, he hit just .245 and managed only 13 home runs in 1971. Unwilling to let his career blossom (or perhaps fearing that they had another Swoboda or Kranepool on their hands) he was traded to the Montreal Expos along withTim Foli and Mike Jorgensen for proven veteran slugger Rusty Staub. Had Staub spent the remainder of his career in New York, many would continued on page 22

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FALLING SHORT: GETTING BACK UP wriHen by: William Cummings (Editor's Note: Article by a long-time subscriber of Gotham Baseball.)

II

ast season, both of Gotham's MLB teams enjoyed breakout seasons from young players.

The Mets' dynamic duo of David Wright and Jose Reyes enjoyed their best seasons to date and gave the Amazins one of the best left sides of the infield in baseball- the only one better perhaps residing in the Bronx where AL MVP Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter pay third base and shortstop respectively. The Bronx also saw youth prevail, as Yankees rookies Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang helped the Pinstripers win the AL East.

This season, even more help is on the way as Mets' outfielder Lastings Milledge and Yankees' youngster Melky Cabrera - each is ranked as a Top 5 Prospect for their respective teams

by Gotham Baseball - and are being relied upon to produce at the big league level before their 23rd birthday.

Can they handle the bright lights of the Big Apple?

Perhaps they will. However, if they don't live up to their big buildup immediately, will they fizzle quickly, never to be heard of again? Or will they instead overcome the intial disappointment of a Hall of Fame career unrealized and become a solid contributor to a winning team?

Yes for every Ruben Rivera, Hensley Meulens and Kevin Maas or an Alex Escobar, Paul Wilson and Gregg Jeffries, there's been a number of homegrown Yanks and Mets that may not have up to their respective expectations.

Yet, for this particular group of players, failing to live up to the hype didn't - and hasn't - hurt their standing in the hearts of the Gotham faithful: Ed Kranepool (1962-1979, First Baseman): After signing an $85,000 bonus out of James Monroe High School in the Bronx, Kranepool joined the Mets as a 17 year old in their inaugural season of 1962.

Though he had some success - Kranepool slugged 16 home runs in 1966 and batted .280 with 14 home runs in 1971 - most of his major-league success came as a pinch hitter. The native New Yorker collected 17 pinch hits in 35 appearances in 1974 for a .486 batting average, and had 13 pinch hits in 29 appearances for a .448 average in 1977. He was a member of both the 1969 Miracle Mets that won the World Series and the 1973 Mets that won the National League pennant.

However, while Kranepool's inability to live up to the high expectations did not seem to prevent him from becoming an all-time fan favorite, it

did prove one thing; that former Yankee GM George Weiss skill as a talent evaluator did not follow him from the Bronx t Flushing.

Ron Swoboda (1965-1970, Outfielder): Swoboda joine the Mets as a highly touted power hitter and showed fme promis by belting 19 home runs in his rookie year of 1965. A .22i average and just eight home runs in 1966 was looked at b: many (remember, "Rocky" was only 22) as a "sophomore slum] on a bad ballclub. So when he improved to 13 homers, l doubles and a .281 batting average in 1967, things were look ing quite promising for the progressing Mets, who were hop ing that they were going to produce their first star. Though th: latter never materialized, he was a valuable platoon man dur ing the unforgettable "Miracle Mets" season of 1969, driving in nearly half of his season-total 52 RBIs during the fmal five weeks of the pennant season's stretch drive. During this drive for the pennant, he slugged two home runs off Hall-of-Fame] Steve Carlton when the ace lefty stuck out 19 Mets batters only to lose. Finally, his name was etched forever in Mets' lore with his diving catch he made of a vicious liner off the bat of Brooks Robinson that helped the Mets to the World's Championship. Like Kranepool, his failure to deliver on high expectations didn't stop the Shea faithful from treating Swoboda as one of their own forever.

Ken Singleton (1970-1971, Outfielder): One of the first dumb moves in organizational history.

Another native New Yorker, Singleton was a powerful switch hitter who was leading the International League in hitting when he was called up to the Mets in June of 1970. Fresh off their WS championship, the Mets' first-ever title defense was hampered by a lack of offense. While the Mets' 3.89 ERA was tops in the NL, the team - outside of Donn Clendenon (.288/22/97) and Tommie Agee (.286/24/75), was anemic offensively. Cleon Jones, whose brilliant .340 campaign of 1969 is seemingly always lost in other's heroics, slumped to just .277, 10 homers and just 63 RBIs. In Singleton, Mets' brass felt - as well as the fan base - here was a player that would deliver an immediate impact. Though, he showed some promise with a .263 batting average and five home runs in 69 games, he hit just .245 and managed only 13 home runs in 1971. Unwilling to let his career blossom (or perhaps fearing that they had another Swoboda or Kranepool on their hands) he was traded to the Montreal Expos along with Tim Foli and Mike Jorgensen for proven veteran slugger Rusty Staub. Had Staub spent the remainder of his career in New York, many would continued on page 22

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view the deal as nearly even. However, as Singleton was blossoming in Montreal and later became an American League All-Star three times for Baltimore, Staub lasted just four seasons in New York, getting dealt to the Tigers after the 1975 season (in which he drove in a then-Mets record of 105 RBIs) for Mickey Lolich, who would win just eight games in his only season in Flushing.

Lee Mazzilli (1976-1981; 1986-1989, Outfielder, First Baseman): This popular Brooklyn native was the Mets' first pick (14th overall) in the June 1973 amateur draft. As a center fielder, Mazzilli represented a link to the great New York baseball tradition: Italian roots (Joe DiMaggio), switch hitter (Mickey Mantle) and the basket catch (Willie Mays). In 1979, he looked like New York's next big star by batting .303 with 15 home runs. Additionally, he represented the Mets in that year's All-Star game, hitting a game-tying home run and drawing a bases-loaded walk to drive in the game-winning run. In 1980, he stole 41 bases, batted .280, hit 16 home runs and drove in 76 runs. However, when his batting average fell to .228 in 1981, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Ron Darling and Walt Terrell in the Spring of 1982. Mazzilli, who spent most of the next few years as a pinch-hitter deluxe for the Pirates, was brought back to the Mets in 1986 for bench depth, and he delivered, going 2 for 5 in the 1986 World Series. He enjoyed an outstanding year as a utility player and pinch hitter in 1987 with a .306 batting average before ending his career as a Toronto Blue Jay. Darryl Strawberry (1983-1990, Outfielder): If there was ever a player that fit the description of winning the fans' hearts despite a failure to approach his predicted greatness, it's Strawberry. As the first pick in the 1980 draft, Strawberry came to Queens with staggering expectations, including then-Mets hitting coach Jim Frey's labeling him "the black Ted Williams".

He reached New York, at 21, in 1983, and his fluid swing and awesome power stroke energized a then-moribund fan base.

As a rookie, he slugged 26 home runs, drove in 74 runs and stole 19 bases and was named Rookie of the Year. Despite seasons like 1987 and 1988, in which he had MVP-type seasons (39 home runs, 104 RBIs in 1987 and 39 home runs with 101 RBIs in 1988) and managing at least 26 home runs every year with the Mets, the club, its fans and the media felt that "Straw" was capable of even more. He tested the affection bestowed upon him by the majority of the fan base until he left via free agency after the 1990 season. (most blamed GM Frank Cashen and ownership for the rift) and even more so when drug problems all but but cost him a chance at a Hall of Fame career.

The all-time Mets home run leader with 252, Strawberry enjoyed a Big Apple resurgence after helping the Yankees win the World Series in 1996 and 1998, and got even the harshest of Yankee-haters among Mets fans to smile when he did so.

Recently welcomed back into the Mets' family as a part-time

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batting/outfielder instructor, the applause is warm whenever his name is mentioned at Shea Stadium.

YANKEES Charlie Keller (1939-1949; 1952, Outfielder): Keller was nicknamed "King Kong" because of his exceptional strength.

He was a baseball and football star at the University of Maryland and signed with the Yankees for a $2,500 bonus. Keller moved up quickly through the Yankees' farm system and played for the Newark Bears in 1937 and 1938. During these years, Keller won the batting title with averages of .353 and .365, respectively and was voted Minor League Player of the Year in 1937. The Yankees brought him up in 1939 and he hit .334 with 11 home runs and 83 RBIs. However, Yankee manager Joe McCarthy wanted to take advantage of the left handed Keller's power and turned him into a pull hitter. This lowered Keller's batting average, but raised his home run totals. In 1941 he batted a solid .298, but added 33 home runs and drove in 122 runs.

The muscular Keller hit 26 home runs with 108 RBIs in 1942 and hit 31 home runs with 86 RBIs in 1943. He probably would have become an all-time great except for some unfortunate circumstances that occurred. He missed the 1944 season and much of 1945 while serving in the Merchant Marines. In 1947 he slipped a disk in his back, forcing him to miss most of the season. He subsequently had surgery for the back ailment, and was never again 100% healthy as a baseball player. Keller played for the Detroit Tigers in 1950 and 1951. He rejoined the Yankees in 1952 and retired after that season.

Joe Pepitone (1962-1969, First Baseman, Outfielder): The flamboyant Brooklyn native was given a bonus of nearly $25,000 to sign with the Bronx Bombers in 1958. He possessed great power and was an outstanding defensive player both at first base and in the outfield, and proved it when he joined the Yankees in 1962. He burst onto the scene with two home runs in the eighth inning of a May 23 game, and impressed the club so much that the Yankees dealt highly productive and popular first baseman Bill "Moose" Skowron to make room for him at first base for the 1963 season. He justified the Skowron trade by hitting .271 with 27 home runs and 89 RBIs that season (though Skowron's Dodgers won the 1963 Series behind Sandy Koufax), and followed that up with a brilliant 1964, in which he slugged 28 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs. However, while the dashing hometown boy hit at least 25 home runs a season four times as a Yankee, and won the Gold Glove Award for outstanding defensive play in 1965, 1966 and 1969, he will always be remembered as an underachiever. Yet, while off-thefield problems prevented him from achieving the greatness predicted for him, he remains a player that many Yankee fans remember with fondness, rather than regret.

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Tom Tresh (1961-1969, Shortstop, Outfielder): Along with Pepitone, Tresh represented a core of young players from the early 1960s that the Yankee dynasty was to be carried on. He joined the Bronx Bombers in 1961 and played with them until 1969. When regular shortstop Tony Kubek went into the service in 1962, the Yankees replaced him with this switch-hitting Detroit native. Tresh responded to the challenge by batting .286 with 20 home runs and 93 RBI. At the end of the season, Tresh was named American League Rookie of the Year, was selected to The Sporting News All Star team, and finished twelfth in the American League Most Valuable Player voting. When Kubek returned to the Yankees, Tresh went to the outfield and continued his fine play for several more seasons. He hit .269 with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs in 1963 and hit .279 with 26 home runs and 74 RBI in 1965. Despite hitting 27 home runs in 1966, his average fell to .233. Tresh injured his knee during the 1967 season, which resulted in a further decline in his performance and a premature ending to what could have been a great career. However, like Pepitone, his failing to recapture the success of his earlier brilliance did not stop him from becoming a fan favorite during the dark years of the famed franchise.

Bobby Murcer (1965-1966, 19691974, 1979-1983, Outfielder, Shortstop): Murcer had several things in common with Mickey Mantle. Like Mantle, he was from Oklahoma, was signed by scout Tom Greenwade, originally came up as a shortstop and first appeared for the Yankees at the age of 19. Though Murcer never achieved the level of greatness that Mantle did, he was a fme player for several seasons, and at the peak of his career, he was among the very best players in the game. Murcer played briefly for the Yankees at the end of the 1965 and 1966 seasons. He spent both the 1967 and 1968 seasons in the army and rejoined the Bronx Bombers for the 1969 campaign. After stating that season at third base, Murcer was moved to the outfield and hit 26 home runs with 82 RBIs. He hit another 23 home runs in 1970, but in 1971 Murcer emerged as a genuine star. During that season he hit .331 with 25 home runs and 94 RBIs. He continued to play extremely well in 1972 and 1973. In 1972, he established career highs with 33 home runs and 96 RBI, and batted .304 with 22 home runs and 95 RBI in 1973. However, when the Yankees played in Shea Stadium in 1974, Murcer's production fell off dramatically. Following that season, he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds. He was subsequently traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1977 before being reacquired by the Bombers during the 1979 season. During his second tour of

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duty with the Yankees, Murcer remained a very popular player and an asset coming off the bench. In 1981, he led the American League with three pinch-hit home runs. However, his most memorable achievement came on August 6, 1979, just after his close friend Thurman Munson was tragically killed in a plane crash. During that August game, the Yankees were trailing the Baltimore Orioles 4-0 and Murcer belted a three run homer to close the gap to 4-3. Then, coming up in the bottom of the ninth inning with runners on second and third and no one out, he hit a single to score both runners and win the game.

Murcer drove in all five Yankee runs. The unforgettable scene ofMurcer and Lou Piniella embracing, while practically in tears at the end of the game is burned in many a Yankee fan's - and baseball fans alike - memory.

Dave Righetti (1979, 1981-90, Pitcher, Reliever): "Rags" may be one of the most popular players from the underachieving Yankee era of the 1980's, but he never quite lived up to the his high profile or got the most out of his talented left arm.

Righetti wasn't a true "homegrown" player, but he was acquired in a trade with a very popular player leaving the Bronx. Selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round (10th overall pick) of the 1977 amateur draft, he was dealt to the New York Yankees for five players, the main target being Sparky Lyle.

Ironically, Lyle-who earned the 1977 AL Cy Young Award and MVP Award - had been shifted to a setup role after his remarkable season, and had been replaced as Yankees closer by Goose Gossage, who Righetti would replace as the Yankee closer after the latter left the team years later. "Rags" was the first player in history to pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career, but unlike Hall-of-Farner Dennis Eckersley, who later duplicated the feat, never excelled long enough as either a starter or closer long enough to be consdiered anything more than just a hard-throwing left-hander with a great arm. He won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1981, and the highlight of his efforts as a starting pitcher occurred on the Fourth of July, 1983, when he threw a 4-0 nohitter against the Boston Red Sox. However, he failed to win more than 14 games as a starter and was told to replace Gossage as the team's closer in 1984. Though he proved to be a consistently solid performer in that role, averaging 32 saves per season over seven years and earning All-Star status in 1986 and '87, he never reached the lofty heights that many predicted for him. Yankee fans never cared, as "Rags" remains one of the Bombers' fan base favorite all-time players. ~

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any teams have signature positions. It could be because of the park they play in or be~ cause of the personalities in the front office, but many clubs are known for either constantly producing blue chip talent at one particular spot in the field, or keep that position stocked regularly by trades and free-agent signings.

From Earle Combs to Johnny Damon - with DiMaggio, Mantle and Bernie Williams in between - it seems like the Yankees have always had the game's top center fielders.

Stellar seasons by hurlers Koufax, Drysdale, Valenzuela, Sutton, Hershiser and Nomo have given the Dodgers their reputation as a pitcher's ballclub, and or decades, it seems like the St. Louis Cardinals always have a Steve Trachsel, who has had many reAnd with Piazza moving on before this heck of a hitter at first base. Has there ceivers over his career, enjoys his season, General Manager Omar Minaya ever been a stretch of more than one kept the tradition alive by sending a pair or teammate's preparation. "It's been a lot of or two seasons when the Red Sox have prospects to the Florida Marlins for the fun working with him," the pitcher said. lacked an All-Star in front of the Green Mets' latest All-Star behind the plate, Paul "He goes over things in the pregame and Monster in Fenway Park? he knows guys on the other coast we don't Lo Duca.

Well, the New York Mets are no exThe catcher has become more than an see as much. He's like all the other good ception. Even though the Amazins' All-Star for the Mets, as Lo Duca may be catchers I had. Unlike Mike, he's a little are known as a pitching organization the ultimate Mets catcher, as he encom- bit smaller and can block the ball in the because of the large dimensions at Shea dirt. He's vocal and likes to come out and passes many of the traits his predecessors Stadium, and the careers of pitchers talk between innings," portrayed. like Tom Seaver and The backstop, though, Dwight Gooden, the credits his staff for making he atmosphere here (in New York) is unbelievable. They are organizations' signahis transition to the Mets passionate about their baseball, either Yankees or Mets. I see ture position is not on easier, people who tell me that they are Yankee fans but like the way I the mound, but rather "I caught a lot of guys in play. You get a little bit of everything and that's the way I like 60 feet, 6 inches away.

Spring Training, so we try to it."

GREAT CATCHER5 find a happy medium," Lo - Met's Catcher, Paul Lo Duca With All-Stars Duca praised.

"Pedro players like Jerry [Martinez] and [Tom] Grote, John Stearns, Much like Piazza, the Brooklyn-born Lo Glavine have been great. The transition of Gary Carter, Todd Hundley and Mike Duca was reared through the Dodger orga- learningthe pitching staff for me has been Piazza donning the tools of ignorance, easy because we have a bunch of polished nization. He was taught to handle pitchers the backstop has always been the home well and the Mets' staff seems to enjoy guys that know what they are doing," of the stars in Flushing. throwing to him.

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Or as Randolph put it, "You like to have him in the lineup because of the attitude you like to bring."

A CLUBHOUSE LEADER Lo Duca's leadership qualities are very similar to those of Grote, Steams, Carter and Hundley, who took charge the minute they took the Shea Stadium.

According to his teammates, it's a trait that spills over into the clubhouse.

"He brings a little fiery attitude," infielder Chris Woodward said thoughtfully. "He brings a lot of passion and a lot of intensity. In the clubhouse, he's joking around but when it comes to game time, he's all business. In a position like his, he's like the captain of the team and he does it well."

Many times, Lo Duca is seen guiding the infield defense during an inning while he's helping his pitcher through a tough spot. Or, when a play goes against his club, the catcher lets an umpire or even a player know about his displeasure.

That was the case on this past July 2, as "Shorty Gangster" (which coach Jerry Manuel dubbed him shortly thereafter) bristled like a drill sergeant during the Mets' 16-7 loss to the Yankees.

After the Bombers' Alex Rodriguez hit a grand slam off the Mets' young right-hander Alay Soler, the Yankee third baseman stood at the plate to admire his . shot. It was a gesture not appreciated

by Lo Duca, and he clearly let A-Rod know about when the future Hall of Farner croosed the plate.

Needless to say, Rodriguez was more reserved when he hit his second home run of the game.

Lo Duca feels that his position dictates a vocal role. "I try to be a leader out there," he said. "I am in every play so I try to handle the pitching staff and I

JEAI PLAYER A career .285 hitter, the 34 year-old hasn't missed a beat with the Mets and at press time, was hitting .292 with three home runs and 25 RBI through July 3.

Batting in the No.2 slot, Lo Duca many times is asked to sacrifice himself for the good of the team. It's a role he says he has become accustomed to.

"I am in a golden spot with the two Carloses [Beltran and Delgado] behind me and [Jose[ Reyes on first," Lo Duca said. "My job is to move guys over, so the big boys can get them in."

Lo Duca may not be the power hitter Carter, Hundley and Piazza were, but his bat control and smart base running give the catcher an attitude to the plate like Stearns, a four-time Mets All-Star, brought in the late 1970s.

"He's pretty calm in the clubhouse, but when something bothers him, he really turns it on," Every team needs that.

He will do anything to keep him losing."

.

A fAil fAVORITE try to be a leader and take charge on the field." It's much like having an on-field coach, which is something that makes manager Willie Randolph smile .

"His main concern is keeping the pitching staff going," Randolph said. "It's nice to have him because he's a leader. He's staying with the game plan and hustles when he is in there."

With the lineup the Mets trot out each and every night, Lo Duca's defense should be enough to keep him in the lineup, but as an added bonus, he doesn't embarrass himself with the stick either.

The whole package translates into Lo Duca quickly becoming a fan favorite, which was evidenced by his election to the All-Star team.

"The atmosphere here is unbelievable," Lo Duca said. "They are passionate about their baseball, either Yankees or Mets. I see people who tell me that they are Yankee fans but like the way I play. You get a little bit of everything and that's the way I like it."

And, of course, Lo Duca is what New Yorkers like in their catchers. II

Baseball Fans: Stay Connected!

• Get the latest news, scores and breaking stories you won't see anywhere else - FREE! • Catch the latest from the rumor mill Log on today to THE New York Baseball Magazine.

www.gothambaseball.com -

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1. 49 Career Saves for NYG in the '40s (Two Words) 5. From Gen. K to St. Louis Closer 7. Led the '69 Mets with 13 Saves (Two Words) 9. This Yank Led AL in SV in '38, '39, '41, '42 16. Holds Yankee Record for Most Ks By a Reliever in a Season 17. Richard Michael's "Silly" Nickname 18. Pride of St. John's Saved 3rd Most in History (Two Words) 19. Last Name of 1996 World Series MVP 20.78 Saves for NYY from '91-'93 22. Frank Edwin McGraw 23.2005 Met; Saved 43 of TB's 69 Wins in '99Nickname 24. Claude Edward's Nickname (NYM: 1975-1979) 25. Red Storm Closer Drafted by BOS in '05 26. Clown Prince of Met Closers 27. Randall K of the Mets

2. First Reliever to win Cy Young Award (Two Words) 3. Ail-Time Saves Leader; a Yank in 1993 (Two Words) 4. 29 Saves in 2005 for NYM 6. Saved 69 for NYM, 1 for NYY (Two Words) 8. 2 of his 3 Career SV came with the Mets (Two Words) 10. First Name of Closer traded to Mets for Charles Johnson in 1999 11. Saved 19 for '54 Champion Giants 12. Tug's Battle Cry 13. "The Terminator" Was a Met from '77'81, Yankee in '94 (Two Words) 14. He Saved 60 for Brooklyn 15. First Player to Pitch a No-Hitter & Lead League in Saves in a Career 19. Met Closer holds NCAA Div. III Career Record for Ks 20. Tom Gordon aka 21. Struck Out Marty Barrett to End '86 Series

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THE DYNASTY THAT BARROW BUILT written by: Mark Healey

he acquisition of Babe Ruth by the New York Yankees is the signature moment in sports. When the Yankees secured his services from Boston following the 1919 season, they were a 16-year old franchise with a reputation for finding new ways to screw up pennant races, or at least that's what New York's American League entry did when they were competitive, which most of the time they were not.

However, that all changed when Ruth arrived. The Bambino made the Yankees matter, and then he helped them become Baseball's Roman Empire.

However, despite his magnitude as the single greatest player in baseball history, his impact on the Yankees would not have been as dramatic had Colonel Jacob Ruppert not followed up his trade for Ruth with the acquisition of then-Boston skipper Ed Barrow to be his General Manager after the 1920 season.

Before he began his life in baseball, Barrow was a businessman managing hotels before turning to the Grand Old Game as a ballpark concessionaire. He served in leadership positions for various minor league teams, became president of Eastern League in 1910 and after a stint as the skipper in Detroit, was named manager of Boston Red Sox 1918.

After winning the World Series in his first year as the Red Sox skipper - a feat somehow forgotten in baseball history, as not one analyst mentioned it when the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 - Barrow changed baseball forever in 1919 when he convinced the Red Sox front office that Ruth - the premier left-handed pitcher in his day - to be an everyday player to take advantage of his Herculean power.

Barrow was mostly alone in his chagrin when the Sox sold Ruth to the Yankees following Boston's 66-71 season in 1919, as the Boston media - which whined and opined for decades after the Yankees took over baseball about how stupid and gullible Boston owner Harry Frazee was. However, not only did the Beantown scribes as a group endorse the Ruth trade, there was hardly a ripple when Barrow moved to the Bronx the following year.

That snickering soon changed to uneasiness and then hor-

ror, as Barrow picked the Red Sox clean for the next half decade, adding Waite Hoyt, Herb Pennock; shortstop Everett Scott and third baseman Joe Dugan in several one-sided deals that made the Yankees powerful.

When the Yankees won their first World Series championship in 1923, half oftheir starting nine and five of their six best pitchers were ex-Boston players.

For 25 years, Barrow acquired talent, traded away suspects for other team's gems and built a farm system that was the pride of the baseball. He found talent everywhere and anywhere, plucking Lou Gehrig from Columbia, and kept a keen eye on minor league clubs not affiliated with New York, outmaneuvering every team in baseball for the services of Hall-Of-Fame players Tony Lazzeri, Lefty Gomez and Joe DiMaggio. He also discovered, trained and handed the torch to another Hall of Fame GM in George Weiss, who would go on to win even more championships than Barrow did.

In fact, he was right about pretty much everything. Well, maybe he was wrong once or twice. "[Night baseball] is just a fad," Barrow said when word got out in 1934 that Lee MacPhail's Reds were planning on putting up lights at Crosley Field. "It'll never last after the novelty wears off."

Or when the rumors were running rampant that the flamboyant MacPhail was in talks to buy the Yankees.

"Only over my dead body will (Larry) MacPhail buy the Yankees." said Barrow, who to his dismay, didn't have enough cash to fend off MacPhail's purchase and was kicked upstairs for the final few years of his time with the Yankees.

Though his brilliant tenure ended in annoyance - MacPhail was as erratic as he was clever - Barrow built an Empire that still stands.

So, while history may remember that Billy Beane was a genius at drawing blood from a stone, or that for 14 seasons John Schuerholz had an unnerving ability to fmd the one guy that had just enough left to beat those New Yorkers one more time Barrow will stand alone as the greatest general manager of not only his time, but all time.

Before Moneyball, the Rumor Mill and Baseball Tonight, there was Barrow. The man that really changed baseball. ~