DODGERS ADD VETERAN NIXON.Byline: Eric Noland Daily News Staff Writer After surveying the rag-tag assembly of Wayne Kirby Wayne Leonard Kirby (born January 22, 1964 in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1991-1998. , Roger Cedeno, Todd Hollandsworth Todd Mathew Hollandsworth (born April 20, 1973 in Dayton, Ohio) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball. Previously, Hollandsworth played with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1995-2000), Colorado Rockies (2000-2002), Texas Rangers (2002), Florida Marlins (2003), Chicago Cubs and Brett Butler Brett Butler can refer to different people:
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. . The price, as Claire put it, was right - the Dodgers had only to part with minor-leaguer Bobby Cripps, a 20-year-old catcher from Canada who hasn't advanced out of rookie ball in two pro seasons. And the gain for the Dodgers could be significant. Nixon, despite his 38 years, is second in the major leagues in stolen bases with 47 and also has produced a .344 on-base percentage as the Blue Jays' leadoff man. He is expected to join the Dodgers today and take over as the everyday center fielder and leadoff hitter In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. Strategy Leadoff hitters must possess certain traits to be successful: they must reach base at a proficient rate and be able to steal bases. , forcing left fielder Butler to the No. 2 hole for the first time since April 1996. ``Butler has done a great job getting on base, but he'd be the first to admit he is not the player he used to be,'' said first baseman Eric Karros. ``Nixon brings with him experience, the threat to steal bases; that puts pressure on the pitcher. ``Look at all the teams that are successful, (such as) Atlanta. If the middle of the lineup is successful, it's because the top of the lineup is getting on in front of them.'' Butler, who was moved out of center field earlier this year because a shoulder injury weakened an already unthreatening arm, said he would accept whatever lineup role is asked of him. ``You check your egos at the door. . . . If Otis hits first, hey, that's fine with me,'' he said. Said Claire: ``The experience factor in center field is important to us. In saying that, I don't want to take anything away from Roger Cedeno. He's made great strides. But if you look at this, we're getting a player who can help us and not necessarily block the path of a young player.'' (Nixon is due to be a free agent at season's end.) The acquisition was fraught with irony, given the drug incident that embroiled em·broil tr.v. em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils 1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . Angels leadoff man Tony Phillips this week. Nixon has a troubled past, having failed a drug test during the crunch of the Braves' successful pennant run in '91. He was suspended for 60 games, which cost him the final two weeks of the regular season, all of the playoffs and World Series, and the first 18 games of the '92 regular season. Nixon has had no troubles since, however, and brings to the Dodgers solid postseason credentials: a .314 average with Atlanta in the '92 and '93 National League playoffs, and a .296 average in the '92 World Series. To make room for Nixon, outfielder Eric Anthony was designated for assignment Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. . CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Otis Nixon gives the Dodgers a center fielder, leadoff hitter and base stealer with pennant-race experience. Associated Press |
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