Baseball Digest articles from May 2003

Baseball Digest archives from May 2003

The fans speak out. (Letters To The Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... A reader recently asked about (former Washington Senator shortstop/third baseman) Cecil Travis (March Baseball Digest). I spoke with Travis in late December and, indeed, he is alive and well. He lives on the family farm in Riverdale, Georgia....

New players figure to bolster Marlins, Phillies and White Sox. (Warm Up Tosses).
May 1, 2003... ONE WORKS BEHIND THE HATE AND HAS ALREADY PUT TOGETHER CREDENTIALS that place him in a class with Johnny Bench. Another plays first base and has consistently produced the long ball, including 52 home runs last year. The third is a...

Sparkplugs: players who make a difference: major league history features many players who have limited abilities but become valuable contributors through gritty play and never-say-die attitudes.
May 1, 2003... IF YOU WANT TO CALL THEM "PESTS" as exasperated if admiring foes often do, that's permissible ff impolite, but a more respectful designation for the scrappy, heads-up players who scratch, claw, finesse and scramble their way to success despite...

Questions & answers with Jim Thome: Phillies' new first baseman does not seek publicity. He is more than happy to hit his homer, draw his walk and quietly slip out the back door of the clubhouse. But when reporters regularly do approach, he dutifully answers every last question as best he can.
May 1, 2003... The Cleveland Plain Dealer Q. Highlight of career to date? A. Twelve years in the major leagues. Q. Favorite player? A. Beyond the guys I'm close to in the game, like Richie Sexson, I'd say Shea Hillenbrand of the Red Sox. I...

Defense is first priority: solid glove work continues to be the essential standard by which shortstops are measured, even in the current era that has produced strong hitters at the position.
May 1, 2003... LIFE WAS SIMPLER--AND STARTING jobs were more plentiful--for slick-fielding, weak-biffing shortstops prior to 1990. In many cases, managers asked for nothing more than solid defense and good fundamental play from everyday shortstops. That...

Craig Biggio: Astros leader a true family man: while some major leaguers become stars and lose their sense of direction, it's refreshing to know there are role models like Houston's 15-year veteran.
May 1, 2003... DARKNESS ENVELOPED Craig Biggio's home as he dragged himself out of bed at 6:50 am on a typical winter day. He brushed his teeth, put on some shorts and a T-shirt and headed to wake up his boys. Most of the year, Patty Biggio Wakes up early...

The game I'll never forget: Frank White: as told to Al Doyle: former Royals defensive great recalls his club's battles with the Yankees for the A.L. pennant, but Game 6 of the 1985 World Series remains a vivid memory.
May 1, 2003... PEOPLE REMEMBER ME FOR BEING the first graduate of the Royals Baseball Academy to make it to the majors. The academy was Mr. Kauffman's (former Royals owner Ewing Kauffman) idea. They took guys who had the raw athletic ability to play...

Major League Record Set or Tied in 2002.
May 1, 2003... MAJOR LEAGUE RECORDS SET Highest on-base percentage, season: .582, Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants Most bases an balls, season: 198, Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants Most consecutive games with a base on balls, season: 18, Barry...

Turn back the clock: former pitcher Elden Auker fondly recalls his days in the majors.
May 1, 2003... FROM THE OUTSIDE, THERE'S LITTLE to distinguish one unpretentious home from another on this quiet street in this well-kept neighborhood bordered by canals on the east side of Palm Beach, Florida. But when Elden Auker greets you at the front...

Remembering ... Cecil Travis: former All-Star shortstop hit .314 during a 12-year big league career.(Biography)
May 1, 2003... FORMER MAJOR LEAGUER CECIL Travis just might be the best player never to receive a single vote for enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. He rapped out five hits in his major league debut in 1933. Then, he...

Baseball profile: Joe Randa-Kansas City Royals.
May 1, 2003... FULL NAME: Joeseph Gregory Randa AGE, HT., WT.: 33 5-11 190 Born: December 18, 1969 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin HOME: Leawood, Kansas STATUS/FAMILY: Married with two children NICKNAME: The Joker LIFE OUTSIDE BASEBALL:...

Active career batting & pitching leaders: some players' are all-time rank is listed to the right of their career totals.
May 1, 2003... Active Career Batting & Pitching Leaders (Some players' all-time rank is listed to the right of their career totals) HITS ALL-TIME LEADERS PETE ROSE 4,256 TY COBB 4,191 HANK AARON ...

Dick Stuart: teammates remember "Dr. Strangeglove": despite his defensive deficiency, right-handed first baseman was quite a hitter.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
May 1, 2003... DICK STUART MADE HIS LIVING AS a productive, professional major league hitter who was just as well known as a less than proficient first baseman. For those who played with him, Stuart was a well-liked teammate who was an integral part of a...

Baseball rules corner: determining if a ball is "in flight" sometimes a critical call.
May 1, 2003... LAST MONTH, I COVERED VARIOUS aspects of the catch rule with a promise for more this month. Here we go. Understanding the term "in flight" is critical for both umpires and players. Simply speaking, a batted ball remains "in flight" if it...

American League. (2003 Pre-season Rosters).
May 1, 2003... 2003 Pre-Season Rosters AMERICAN LEAGUE Anaheim ANGELS Manager:, (14) Mike Scioscia, Coaches: (24) Bud Black, pitching; (4) Alfredo Griffin, first base; (7) Mickey Hatcher, hitting; (70) Joe Maddon, bench; (13) Bobby...

National League. (2003 Pre-season Rosters).
May 1, 2003... NATIONAL LEAGUE Arizona DIAMONDBACKS Manager: (15) Bob Brenly, Coaches: (50) Chuck Kniffin, pitching; (19) Robin Yount, first base; (21) Dwayne Murphy, hitting; (53) Glenn Sherlock, bench; (14) Eddie Rodriguez, third base; (13)...