Wednesday, March 03, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Avery gets outs, but jury still out
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Displaying low velocity but high efficiency, Steve Avery pitched two hitless innings in Tuesday's intrasquad game.
Avery, who is pursuing a spot in the Reds' starting rotation, allowed a first-inning unearned run but retired the side in order in the second inning.
The Reds' radar guns measured Avery's fastball at 80 mph, about 10 mph less than optimal. But that didn't bother manager Jack McKeon.
“I don't think he was in the 90s when he was good,” McKeon said.
Nor was McKeon carried away with Avery's apparent effectiveness. “We'll find out after he pitches three or four times.”
DOTTED LINE: Management's intent to renew the contracts of any unsigned player on Tuesday, the first day that was allowed, prompted right-handers Brett Tomko and Todd Williams, first baseman Sean Casey, third baseman Aaron Boone and outfielder Mike Frank to agree to one-year deals.
Outfielder Dmitri Young and catcher Brook Fordyce were forced to accept contracts at a figure selected by the club. Young, who earned $215,000 last season, was resigned to his fate.
“They had me where they wanted me,” said Young, who hit .310 last year. “My wife told me, just be thankful you got a raise this year ... I'm not going to cry over spilled milk for six months. I'm going to cry for two minutes in my car and put it behind me ... I'm going to the World Series this year and I know 24 other guys are going in the same direction.”
But Young, who switched agents from Martin Blount to Eric Goldschmidt, also was aware that he'll be able to capitalize on the great equalizer next year — salary arbitration, for which he'll be eligible.
“I'll go out there and do the job,” he said. “Then it's really going to come out of their pockets.”
BRUSHING UP: McKeon said the two-game intrasquad series, which concluded with a 3-1, eight-inning victory for Donnie Scott's team over Dave Collins' group, gave players useful at-bats against live pitching and, in some cases, the opportunity to man different positions.
“Not that they got many chances in those positions, but at least they've been out there,” said McKeon, referring to Jeff Branson (shortstop, third base) and Michael Tucker (right field, center field).
Cleanup batter Greg Vaughn grounded out and flied out in his two at-bats, but McKeon liked the timing of his swing: “I thought he looked good "staying on' the ball. He just missed a couple that he fouled back.”
The outcome was decided in the sixth inning, when Damon Hollins' bloop double and Mark Sweeney's sharp single off Scott Williamson broke a 1-1 tie.
MARGE ARRIVES: Owner Marge Schott made a cameo appearance at the intrasquad game, arriving for the final inning with Schottzie 02, her pet St. Bernard, in tow.
Schott, who has been told by the commissioner's office not to comment on baseball matters, fielded no questions about the team's apparently impending sale but said this might be Schottzie 02's last spring-training visit, since the dog turns 7 Friday.
Schott said she plans to stay here until Sunday, the day before she meets with the team's limited partners to discuss the sale.
NEAGLE'S TEST: Left-hander Denny Neagle, whose preparations for the regular season have been delayed by a strained left quadriceps (thigh) muscle, threw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since Feb. 22 and looked fine, pitching coach Don Gullett said.
Gullett said that Neagle, who threw for 12 minutes at 60-70 percent capacity, probably won't appear in an exhibition game for at least another week. Until then, Neagle will keep throwing every other day, gradually increasing the duration and intensity of his workouts.
While acknowledging that Neagle's slow progress might cause some concern, Gullett said Neagle should be able to make up for lost time quickly.
“You've got to keep in mind that he's a veteran and a control pitcher who changes speeds really well and isn't a power pitcher,” Gullett said.
GATHERING INPUT: Performance enhancements, not creature comforts, are what players and coaches want to see in the Reds' new stadium.
Architect Michael Schuster, who is assisting in the stadium's design phase, learned this when he discussed ballpark concepts with more than 30 Reds players. They emphasized indoor pitching areas, batting cages, exercise facilities and weight rooms instead of plush carpeting and double-wide dressing stalls.
“They didn't get into a lot of amenities,” Schuster said. “They don't want a big clubhouse. They'd rather have one the right size. If it's too big, you get lost in it.”
ETC.: McKeon said that shortstop Barry Larkin and Vaughn probably will play on alternate days during the first week of exhibitions, giving Cincinnati's surplus of outfielders and infielders more exposure.
• Probable starting pitchers for the Reds' upcoming exhibitions: Thursday, Pete Harnisch against Minnesota's Brad Radke; Friday (split-squad), Brett Tomko against Texas' Rick Helling; Steve Parris against Minnesota's Dan Serafini; Saturday, Jason Bere against Boston's Pedro Martinez.
• Minor league pitchers and catchers reported to camp and will begin workouts today.
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