Baseball Digest articles from July 2002

Baseball Digest archives from July 2002

Managers often second-guessed when removing pitchers from a game. (Warm Up Tosses).("L'aquila Italiana" on American League Baseball)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... HE WAS A LIFELONG BASEBALL FAN WHO CALLED HIMSELF "L'aquila Italiana" (the Italian Eagle). He grew up in the old Italian neighborhood in Chicago, and in years past he often called or wrote Baseball Digest to express his incisive opinions about...

Roberto Alomar of the Mets: an all-around performer. (A Student of The Game).(Gold Glove Award winner, New York Mets)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2002... OMAR VIZQUEL THOUGHT HE KNEW how good Roberto Alomar was. He knew about the Gold Gloves, the steady bat, the ability to steal bases. But he didn't know. "He said he is married to baseball and I didn't understand what that meant until I...

For many players, it's a career-enhancing move; some major league players have improved their production after switching to a different defensive location. (Changing Positions).(American Baseball League)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... IT'S LONG PAST TIME TO UPDATE THE ancient cry of ballpark vendors that "you can't tell the players without a scorecard," a chant particularly pertinent in the days before most teams attached names rather than impersonal numerals to the backs of...

In Seattle, Mike Cameron has found a home; mariners center fielder has become a fan favorite with his effusive personality and stellar all-around play.(American Baseball League)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... THEY WERE TELLING OUTFIELDER Mike Cameron he was going to be traded to his third team in two years, and when he heard where it was he shook his head and his breath left his mouth in a very long whoosh. "Seattle? Uuugghhhh," he said. ...

Johnny Damon's success feeds off his confidence; Red Sox center fielder has learned to deal with pressure during a career of high expectations.(American League Baseball)
July 1, 2002... JOHNNY DAMON ON THE HOT SEAT? What else is new? Imagine striding to the plate as a high school senior while the announcer bellows, "Now batting for the No. 1 team in the nation, the No. 1 player in the nation, Johnny Damon!" Consider...

Tino Martinez brings leadership, experience to St. Louis; former Yankee first baseman strives to fill void left by Mark McGwire's retirement.(American Baseball League)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE LOUSIEST cab ride of Tino Martinez's life. As the clock ticked into last November 5, Martinez was riding to the Phoenix airport from Bank One Ballpark, where the first baseman and the rest of the New York Yankees had done...

Baseball quick quiz.(American Baseball League)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Collect ten points for each question answered correctly. Answers on page 95. (If you score 80 or better, you are a baseball expert; 70 or better, superior; between 60 and 70, good, and between 40 and 60, average. 1. Since 1900, there have...

Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio leading Houston with talent, experience and loyalty; Astros' veteran All-Stars let teammates know they're among friends.(American Baseball League)
July 1, 2002... THE TORNADO ROARED THROUGH central Florida during spring training and touched down near the Houston Astros facility. Infielder Tim Bogar, his wife, who was four months pregnant, and their young son were living in a home that was heavily...

Gary Sheffield wants it all in Atlanta; Braves outfielder would like to play until he's 40, win another World Series and add Hall of Fame credentials to his major league career.(American Baseball League)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... GARY SHEFFIELD, WHO WOULD BE pressed to find Cooperstown on the map and still doubts its merits, now wants to earn his own place there. He once planned on retiring from baseball at age 30, said he was drawn to the game only "because it came...

Baseball profile.(Larry Kenneth Robert Walker)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... LARY WALKER COLORADO ROCKIES FULL NAME: Larry Kenneth Robert Walker AGE, HT., WT.: 35, 6-3, 245 Born: December 1, 1966 HOME: Evergreen, Colorado STATUS/FAMILY: Married with three daughters Nickname: Booger ...

Montreal's Jose Vidro ranks among top second basemen; in the last three seasons, Expos infielder has hit over .300 with good power and outstanding defense. (Rising Star).
July 1, 2002... THE MONTRFAL EXPOS APPROACHED the 2002 baseball season with alarming uncertainty. But even in the darkest hours there are a few reasons for hope--at least on the field where they can control their destiny. While it has become impossible to...

Gene Larkin: Twins' World Series hero in 1991: former utility player drove in the winning run in Game 7 of the Fall Classic with a pinch-hit single against the Braves. (Where Are They Now?).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT HE DOES. Shop, eat, golf, or just go for a walk. People are always shaking Gene Larkin's hand or patting him on the back. "Every time I play golf, it happens. Just a few days ago, a gentleman I didn't know said,...

Language of game is constantly changing.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... CRAZY. TWENTY YEARS IN THE bigs, and Tony Gwynn couldn't figure out what in the world these college baseball players were telling the opposing team's pitcher. Gwynn listened intently, trying to decipher the almost whisper of a chant. ...

Name game.(curveball terms)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Is a curve by any name just as sweet? In the language of baseball, a curveball can go by many names (and none of them is sweet if the word "hanging" is a modifier). Among them: Yakker Number Two The Deuce Uncle Charlie ...

When Carl Yastrzemski became a star; future Hall of Famer made his mark with an extraordinary season that gave Red Sox first A.L. pennant in 21 years. (1967).
July 1, 2002... HE WON THREE BATTING CROWNS and an MVP trophy. He played 23 seasons with the same club. He was the first American Leaguer to produce 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. But Carl Yastrzemski will always be remembered as the chief engineer of "The...

When the tribe's Luis Tiant threw four consecutive shutouts; Cleveland right-hander won 21 games and led the A.L. with a 1.60 ERA and nine shutouts. (Turn Back The Clock--1968).(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... LUIS TIANT WASN'T JUST ANOTHER good pitcher. He was one of the most entertaining hurlers in baseball history. His choreographed windup had a wide range of motions. He would bob his head, turn his back on the batter, look skyward or into the...

Baseball rules corner; confusing rulebook language fosters different interpretations.(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... STRICT AND CONSISTENT enforcement of baseball rules by the umps is about as realistic as winning the lottery. Why? Because the game is umpired by humans who individually view the game through a different prism. Does every police officer have...

All-time single-season pitching leaders: top 5 for each club since 1900.(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... All-Time Single-Season Pitching Leaders Top 5 For Each Club Since 1900 Note: To be listed among pitchers with top earned run averages, pitcher must have qualified for league ERA championship for that season. ANAHEIM ANGELS...

American League.(baseball records)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
July 1, 2002... American League Strikeouts Year Dennis Leonard 244 1977 Kevin Appier 207 1996 Bob Johnson 206 1970 Steve Busby 198 1974 Kevin...

Single-season pitching records for pre-existing A.L. teams: (only clubs with minimum 10 years major league existence).(American League)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... SINGLE-SEASON PITCHING RECORDS FOR PRE-EXISTING A.L. TEAMS (ONLY CLUBS WITH MINIMUM 10 YEARS MAJOR LEAGUE EXISTENCE) KANSAS CITY A'S (1955-1967) Wins Year Bud Daley 16 1959...

National League.(baseball records)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... NATIONAL LEAGUE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (1998-2001) Wins Year Curt Schilling 22 2001 Randy Johnson 21 2001 Randy Johnson 19 2000 Randy...

Single-season pitching records for pre-existing N.L. teams (only clubs with minimum 10 years major league existence).(National League)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... SINGLE-SEASON PITCHING RECORDS FOR PRE-EXISTING N.L. TEAMS (ONLY CLUBS WITH MINIMUM 10 YEARS MAJOR LEAGUE EXISTENCE) BOSTON BRAVES (1901-1952) Wins Year Vic Willis 27 1902...

1000 Unsearched Baseball Cards: only $15.95 plus a valuable $25 report free with your order.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... These cards came from the estate of an elderly gentleman. He had meticulously stored them away. Most are from the 1980's, however they range from the 1970's through the early 1990's. First priority is to enjoy what you collect. Still, most...