Thursday, March 11, 1999
REDS NOTEBOOK
Vaughn's homer spring bonus
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SARASOTA, Fla. — Hitting home runs rates extremely low on Greg Vaughn's springtime priority list. But he belted one anyway, collecting his first homer as a Red by lining Masao Kida's 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence in the fourth inning of Cincinnati's 10-5 exhibition triumph over the Detroit Tigers.
“Everybody's looking for him to get that first one out of the way,” manager Jack McKeon said.
Everybody didn't include Vaughn, who hit 50 homers last year. The left fielder reiterated that he concentrates on establishing timing, not power, in March.
“I've never been big on results in spring training,” said Vaughn, obtained from San Diego in last month's celebrated five-player trade. “I'm just working on the pace that I have when I "load up' and get my foot down before (the pitcher) lets go of the ball.”
Vaughn, who hit a two-run double in the third, hiked his Grapefruit League average to .455 (5-for-11). His three RBI also were his first of the spring.
“I'm always trying to work on something,” Vaughn said. “I'm working on my swing. I'm working on things I have to do in between home runs, the stuff that makes you a better player, a consistent player. The results might not be there now, but hopefully all the work I'm doing now will pay off during the season.”
NEAGLE IMPROVES: McKeon was optimistic after watching left-hander Denny Neagle throw off a bullpen mound for about 15 minutes.
“That was the best I've seen him throw,” McKeon said of Neagle, whose weakened shoulder has prevented him from pitching in an exhibition game. “He had a little command and a little arm strength.”
McKeon said that Neagle remained on schedule to pitch in a simulated game Saturday, when he will work the equivalent of two-to-three innings.
NOBLE PURSUIT: If Eddie Taubensee has his way, he'll travel to an exotic location every offseason.
Not for vacation, but out of devotion.
Through Unlimited Potential Inc., a Christian athletes' organization, Taubensee went on an eight-day mission in Capetown, South Africa, to teach baseball and spread the gospel.
“Every year I want to try to go somewhere different,” said Taubensee, who went to Bangkok, Thailand two years ago. “I hope I can take my boys (Justin and Benjamin) when they're old enough. I'd like to do this every year, even when I'm out of baseball.”
Few of the South Africans were baseball experts. “They knew Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire and basically that was it,” said Taubensee.
Taubensee and his partners paid their own expenses. “With the platform we have, we can reach a lot of people through baseball,” he said.
ETC.: About 20 Japanese reporters were at Ed Smith Stadium to cover the progress of Kida, the right-hander who allowed two runs and three hits in 2ô innings. Vaughn's evaluation of Kida: “He has a good arm and an outstanding forkball. He's going to be good.”
• McKeon was recently named Alumnus of the Year by his alma mater, Elon College in North Carolina. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in physical education and health in 1957, though he's registered as a 1963 graduate because his minor-league managing career prevented him from attending commencement ceremonies.
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