Friday, February 18, 2000
REDS NOTEBOOK
Kids drew Portugal back
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Manager Jack McKeon takes a cigar break after working out on a treadmill.
(Michael E. Keating photo)
| ZOOM | |
SARASOTA, Fla. — After spending nearly 13 years in the majors, right-hander Mark Portugal seriously contemplated retirement. But then the Reds called last month and asked him if he wanted to compete for a starter's job.
Unsure what to do, Portugal said he asked his sons, Derek, 10, and Jacob, 7, whether he should accept Cincinnati's offer.
“Ultimately, it's their quality time that's going to be infringed upon,” said Portugal, who also has a daughter, Alexandra, 4. “I felt it was important to get their opinion on whether they wanted me to play, and they did. They were both very optimistic about my coming here.
Jacob said, "Yeah, Dad, they're trying to get Ken Griffey Jr. That would be good.' I think he was paying a lot more attention to what was going on in the winter than I was. But they're excited about it and I was excited about it.”
Portugal is considered the leading candidate for the No.5 starter's vacancy. Though Portugal was 7-12 with a 5.51 ERA for Boston last year, he owns a 109-95 career record that includes a 91-64 mark in the National League. He was 14-14 with the Reds from 1995-96.
“I don't think I'm through producing as a big-league pitcher,” said Portugal, 37. “It's an opportunity to come back to the National League and to a team I'm familiar with. The fact that they've got an outstanding lineup with great potential to compete this year made it a lot easier to want to come here.”
TAMPERING DECISION: Baseball won't decide until next week at the earliest whether the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds should be penalized for tampering in the Ken Griffey Jr. deal.
Griffey's agent, Brian Goldberg, said last week he began his talks with the Reds before the teams agreed on the trade Feb. 10. Under baseball's rules, teams must agree to a trade, then ask the commissioner's office for a 72-hour window allowing the player to negotiate with the acquiring team.
“We're still in the process,” Sandy Alderson, executive vice president for baseball operations in the commissioner's office, told the Associated Press. “There are still some things.”
Baseball is unlikely to change the deal, but could fine the teams.
BILL OF HEALTH: The condition of Pete Harnisch's shoulder, which troubled the right-hander last year, pleased Dr. Tim Kremchek, the Reds' team physician, who helped conduct Thursday's physical examinations for pitchers and catchers.
“His exam showed he looked better. We're all enthused with that,” Kremchek said. “You could tell that he strengthened it.”
Harnisch declined to undergo arthroscopic surgery and opted for rest and exercise.
The players' overall health also pleased Kremchek, who's in his fourth season with the Reds.
“The players we had last year who were put on offseason programs are in very good shape,” Kremchek said. “The condition of players has improved every year. It's exciting to see. Most of the guys we have who are key players on the major-league level are in good shape and ready to go.”
Kremchek and his staff were assisted by the esteemed Dr. James Andrews, the Birmingham, Ala., orthopedist who has operated on numerous athletes. Kremchek served his residency under Andrews.
SENIOR SURGERY: Bench coach Ken Griffey Sr. will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday in Cincinnati. Griffey had a similar procedure done on his left knee last year.
NO-SHOW: Right-hander Willis Roberts, a non-roster invitee from the Dominican Republic, had visa problems and was the only no-show.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Spring training schedule
Reds Stories
UC 77, Houston 65
UC NOTEBOOK
Even Martin needs a hand to hold onto
Temple revs up for UC
Pickens fit for Saints?
Bengals' Hawkins welcomes competition
Overruns not new to stadium architect
Xavier's fortunes tied to Frey's consistency
Local driver fighting to jump-start career
Defense, Munoz rally Mason girls
Cincinnati girls basketball roundup
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
St. X's Sollmann wins football award
Newport star takes home football honor
N.Ky. girls basketball roundup
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
NKU 85, St. Joseph's 71
Reds page
