Thursday, September 23, 1999
Injured Larkin still swinging
Despite sore elbow, shortstop still starts
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SAN DIEGO — Barry Larkin reluctantly admitted that his sore left elbow hampered his swing Tuesday night, but the Reds captain remained in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the San Diego Padres.
“I had some bad swings (Tuesday). Probably because of my elbow,” said Larkin, who suffered only the fourth three-strikeout game of his 13-year, 1,696-game career.
The shortstop also said, “I'm not going to make excuses ... I just didn't hit very well.”
Batting .300 entering Wednesday's game, Larkin is the National League's fifth-toughest hitter to strike out, averaging one per 11.8 plate appearances.
Asked how much his elbow bothered him, he said, “I'm not going to help you on this one.”
Neither manager Jack McKeon nor trainer Greg Lynn indicated that Larkin, who hurt himself while swinging a weighted bat in the on-deck circle during Monday's game, had complained about his injury.
“I think you have to give some credit to that pitcher,” McKeon said, referring to San Diego's Matt Clement, who struck out nine in seven innings.
“I don't think he feels 100 percent, but it was a little better (Tuesday) than the day before,” Lynn said. “He claims to me that it doesn't (bother him). I have to believe what he's telling me.”
Determined not to let his injury overwhelm him, Larkin couldn't resist throwing one humorous jab.
“I'm hitting left-handed, by the way,” he said.
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