Baseball Digest articles from September 2000

Baseball Digest archives from September 2000

The Fans Speak Out.
September 1, 2000... Like many other longtime baseball fans, I have looked on in horror at many of the recent changes made to the game's structure and the assault on its traditions. For that reason, I thoroughly agree with all but one of the views expressed in...

Politically-Incorrect Remarks Can Land Today's Players in Deep Trouble.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... IN THE NEANDERTHAL AGE WHEN YOUR HOST WAS AN UNTAMED KID GROWING UP on the south side of Chicago, he blurted out a four-letter word within earshot of his mother. Punishment for such an indiscretion in those days, at least in our family,...

Having A Helton of A Year.
September 1, 2000... Todd Helton of Rockies Settles into Productive Groove Colorado first baseman credits his success at the plate to a pep talk with batting coach Clint Hurdle in 1999 TODD HELTON NOW SIMPLY CALLS it the Milwaukee Talk, summing up the...

Working the Count.(baseball hitting)
September 1, 2000... Once a batter gets two strikes on him, he becomes vulnerable and less aggressive, In those situations, his average at the plate invariably takes a steep dive JUDGING FROM ALL THE SHATTERED records and broken windows out there, it's easier...

Derek Jeter: Baseball's Best ... and he's only getting better.
September 1, 2000... SINCE HE CAME TO STAY, THE New York Yankees have run off Series titles in triplicate. Of all the Yanks taking that near-annual ride down the Avenue of Heroes, through ticker tape thick as snow, Derek Jeter indisputably is the toast of the town....

BASEBALL TALK.
September 1, 2000... From Stengelese to Yogi quotes, history of the game is filled with colorful comments WORDS ARE SLIPPERY, A WISE MAN once remarked, and reliever John Rocker surely would ruefully echo that sentiment. After all, a deluge of jarringly...

A Giant By Any Standard.
September 1, 2000... San Francisco's Barry Bonds Soars To New Heights Among Baseball's Best Before he's done, outfielder could become the first player to win four MVP Awards and first to hit 500-plus homers and steal 500 or more bases THINGS TO CONSIDER...

Chin Music.
September 1, 2000... Knockdown pitches have been part of baseball tradition KNOCKDOWN PITCHES ARE BORN of II. varied circumstances. Early Wynn, a notorious headhunter, once tried to hit George Kell, who was taking a lead off first base, after he hit a line...

Baseball Quick Quiz.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Collect ten points for each question answered correctly (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, This September Quick Quiz is a trivia...

Cal Ripken Jr.: More Than Baseball's Iron Man.
September 1, 2000... Orioles' veteran has distinguished himself not only for his durability, but for collecting 3, O00-plus hits and slamming 400-plus homers HOLDING COURT ON THE DUGOUT STEPS, CAL RIPKEN JR. SEEMED VERY MUCH a man at peace with his place and...

Wally Pipp's Big League Career Forgotten With A `Headache'.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... THE HEIGHT OF FAME IS TO HAVE YOUR NAME BECOME A PART OF THE LANGUAGE. WALLY PIPP IS THAT famous. To do a "Wally Pipp" is for someone to take your job away because you didn't come to work. All baseball fans know about Wally. He sat out a...

South Side Hit Men II.
September 1, 2000... Young Hitters Come of Age for Chicago White Sox Sluggers Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee and Paul Konerko add strong punch to team's offensive attack THEY HAVE BEEN PROMOTED AS The Kids with the best young arms in the business. But...

BASEBALL PROFILE PAUL KONERKO.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... FULL NAME: Paul Henry Konerko AGE, HT., WT.: 24, 6-3, 215 Born: March 5, 1976 in Providence, Rhode Islands HOME: Scottsdale, Arizona STATUS/FAMILY: Single LIFE OUTSIDE BASEBALL: During the season, there is no life outside...

Model of Consistency: Dodgers' Eric Karros.(Interview)
September 1, 2000... Despite averaging 31 homers and 103 RBI since 1995, Los Angeles first baseman's offensive production is overlooked EARLIER THIS YEAR, a POLL OF 138 players conducted by Baseball Weekly pegged the Rangers' Rafael Palmeiro and Rusty Greer as...

Draft Risks Outstripping the Rewards.
September 1, 2000... It's a matter of record that half of first-round picks never have a significant big league career THE MARINERS DIDN'T MAKE THEIR first pick in the 2000 June amateur draft until midway through the fourth round, which is the price they had...

Where Are They Now?(famous baseball players)(Brief Article)(Interview)
September 1, 2000... Former Pitcher JERRY REUSS Embarks on A Coaching Career Left-hander won more than 200 games in the majors, including 39 shutouts and three 18-victory seasons FROM PITCHER'S MOUND TO broadcast booth to coaching box, Jerry Reuss has done...

A Hitter's Nightmare.(Interview)
September 1, 2000... Hall of Farmer Bob Gibson was out to win games, not friends HE IS REMINDED OF HIS PLACE IN RED SOX history, Bob Gibson said, just about every time he goes to Boston. "I go there for card shows," said the Hall of Fame pitcher, "and...

off-beat stats.(baseball players)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2000... Since 1955, when the intentional walk was officially tabulated as a statistic, only two players have hit as many as 40 homers in a season without being issued an intentional pass. In 1961, Roger Maris clubbed 61 homers with no intentional walks...

Baseball Rules Corner.
September 1, 2000... Umpires must unravel confusion resulting from "time plays" IF THE RED SOX SHOULD LOSE THE A.L. East by a game or if they should get bumped out of the wildcard race, they might look back to their game against the Tigers last May 20 at...

1980s Rookie Scouting Reports on Former Players.
September 1, 2000... Reports on promising major league rookies have been published in Baseball Digest since 1955. What follows are random selections from reports made in the 1980s which give readers an idea how some well-known players were rated as they approached...

MILESTONE HOMERS.
September 1, 2000... For Players Who Hit 500 Career Home Runs HANK AARON Home Run Date Place Pitcher, Team No. 1 April 23, 1954 St. Louis Vic Raschi, ...