DODGERS SPRING TRAINING NOTEBOOK : BUTLER'S `BOUNCE' IS BACK.Byline: Kevin Acee Daily News Staff Writer Perhaps the most encouraging sign in Brett Butler's comeback occurred Wednesday. No, not that he went 4 for 4, stole his first base of the spring, scored twice and drove in two runs in the Dodgers' 9-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Butler has said all along that going 4 for 4, or 0 for 4 for that matter, on a given day would mean nothing. ``It wasn't so much the hits,'' said Butler, who missed most of last season after cancer surgery in May. ``It was the recovery. This was a great day for me. Today I just felt I had a little more bounce in my walk.'' Feeling good, however, has Butler a bit apprehensive. For the first time in his career he is going to have to know when to say when. Not only is he coming back from cancer, Butler will be 40 years old in June. ``I'm fighting myself,'' Butler said. ``My mind tries to match my body. I have to be smart enough to listen when my body tells me, `Let's take a day off.' . . . I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if I can do that.'' The only thing that will stop Butler from starting the season is if he gets hurt in the next week. Decisions: The Dodgers return to California in six days and open the season April 1. It is pretty much a given that Butler will start the season in center field. Rookie Wilton Guerrero Wilton Guerrero (born October 24, 1974 in the Don Gregorio, Dominican Republic) is a major league utility player who currently is a free agent. He previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1996-1998), Montreal Expos (1998-2000, 2002), Cincinnati Reds (2001-2002), Kansas City is the second baseman second baseman n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker . The batting order Noun 1. batting order - (baseball) a list of batters in the order in which they will bat; "the managers presented their cards to the umpire at home plate" lineup, card is set. It appears Tom Candiotti Some bench spots remain open. Tom Prince will be the backup catcher. Outfielders Billy Ashley Billy Manual Ashley (Born July 11, 1970) in Trenton, Michigan, is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Ashley was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 1988 MLB Draft. He started his professional career with the Gulf Coast Dodgers in 1988 and 1989. and 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. will be on the team. Infielder Chip Hale Walter William Hale (born December 2, 1964, in San Jose, California) was a Major League Baseball designated hitter, third baseman, and second baseman. He is an alumnus of the University of Arizona. also is a lock, as he and Kirby give the Dodgers a left-handed option. Infielders Chad Fonville and Nelson Liriano are probably battling for one spot. Liriano, a six-year veteran, has had his playing time limited this spring by a shoulder injury. Fonville has had a good spring but was spotty last season. He has made it clear he is willing to accept a utility role. Infielder Juan Castro and outfielder Karim Garcia and Roger Cedeno have a chance at the final roster spot. Spring Training '97 DODGERS in VERO BEACH, Fla. FACT: Dodgers coach Manny Mota holds the major-league record for career pinch hits with 150. NOTES: Hideo Nomo had his best stuff of the spring, Brett Butler was 4 for 4 with two RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in and two runs, and the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-2 for their sixth straight victory. . . . Todd Hollandsworth and Greg Gagne each had two hits. Hollandsworth hit his fifth double. QUOTE: ``I sat against J.R. Richard. There's nothing wrong with that.'' - Bill Russell, when told that Brett Butler said he wanted to sit when the Dodgers played the Seattle Mariners if Randy Johnson was pitching. ANGELS in TEMPE, Ariz. FACT: Third baseman George Arias and right-handed pitcher Greg Gohr have been optioned to Triple-A Vancouver. Arias, 25, hit .200 with one homer and three RBI in 14 exhibition games this spring. Last year, he split the season between the Angels and Vancouver. Gohr, 29, was 1-0 with an 8.44 ERA in five exhibition games. NOTES: The Angels will tone it down this season. No more cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
Anaheim Sports Inc. added many entertainment elements that were out of the baseball norm last season after the subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co. bought controlling interest controlling interest The ownership of a quantity of outstanding corporate stock sufficient to control the actions of the firm. Controlling interest often involves ownership of significantly less than 51% of a firm's outstanding stock because many owners fail of the Angels. QUOTE:``From what our fans tell us, they prefer to watch the baseball game. We'll have less high-energy entertainment.'' - Bill Robertson, Angels director of communication, following an offseason study. CAPTION(S): Box Box: Spring Trainng '97 (see text) |
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