Bill Conlin: Centerfielders are keys to Phillies' success

CENTERFIELDERS ARE to baseball what Ferraris are to the automobile. And right now, the Phillies organization has so many exotic models manning the position, Enzo Ferrari himself would be red with envy.

The best centerfielders through history crowd the lists of greatest players ever. Fans meet at their statues. Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle live in Monument Park. They are named Ty Cobb and Willie Mays, Duke Snider and Ken Griffey Jr. They hit home runs and steal bases. The best of them also have strong and accurate arms. Corner outfielders pile up assists because they have the money throws that end in tags at the bases or home plate. But the centerfielders run down gappers on the warning track, field a baseball caroming off a fence with their backs to the play and hit a cutoff man letter high. Derek Jeter would get the glory for the perfect throw resulting in a putout.

The best centerfielders hit for high average. Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Rich Ashburn, Joe DiMaggio and significant others all won batting titles. Ashburn beat out Mays and Stan Musial for both of his titles. But because Whitey was a contemporary of Mantle, Mays and Duke Snider, it took until 1995 for the Veterans Committee to remember him for the Hall of Fame.

The best centerfielders hit home runs - even though some played in parks just a little smaller than Yellowstone. Joe DiMaggio hit them while playing in an original Yankee Stadium where it was 415 to left-center. Willie Mays hit 660 of them - even though he had to change his swing in Candlestick Park because the awesome shots he hit to left in the Polo Grounds were knocked down by a cruel jet stream, creating what one fan called "Stick Park, because the wind blew out the Candle." Griffey Jr. has hit them in droves.

But mostly, the great centerfielders play great defense and earn nicknames that are not too much of a stretch. DiMaggio was the Yankee Clipper. Ashburn was "Putt-Putt." I dubbed Garry Maddox the "Secretary of Defense." Larry Bowa called him "The Windshield Wiper." Garry Lee played so shallow he could converse with his infielders without raising that soft voice. He had such range into the alleys that leftfielder Greg Luzinski set up like a third baseman guarding the line.

This is the Phillies' Magnificent Eight (plus one I didn't know about):

* Shane Victorino. The Fan's Choice All-Star has improved his routes to the point he won a Gold Glove his first full season in center and followed it up last year. He has made himself the Gold Standard at the position and enhances his defensive prowess with the same cannon arm that made him a superior rightfielder. Don't be surprised if the newlywed threatens 100 RBI from the No. 6 or 7 hole.

* Jayson Werth. How can a guy so tall and angular run so fast, throw so well and hit a baseball so far? He's a rightfielder who doesn't lose an inch of ability when asked to play center. I like him in center because he goes so well to his left. Who knew when Pat Gillick stole him for a second time that Werth would bloom into an All-Star and be mentioned as an MVP candidate?

* Ben Francisco. The bonus in the Cliff Lee deal was mostly a centerfielder with the Indians and it has to be a comfort for Charlie Manuel to know that, counting John Mayberry, four of his five outfielders can play all three positions. Ben will mostly spell Raul Ibanez in left but could play center for a lot of teams.

* Quintin Berry. The former San Diego State star has put together solid minor league numbers as a top-of-the-lineup table-setter. In his progress toward a job as a big-league No. 4 or 5 outfielder, Berry has averaged 53 steals the past three seasons. It goes without saying that he has used his speed to range the wide-open outfields of the Florida State, Eastern and International leagues. He could be on Ruben Amaro's speed (pun intended) dial as the first call-up in case of an outfield injury. Berry is on the 40-man roster and represents significant trade value.

* Domonic Brown. Pat Gillick was discussing the Phillies' wealth of centerfielders with a columnist yesterday when he suddenly excused himself. "Davey Lopes is working on Brown's lead off first," the special adviser cum laude said. "I want to listen." The organization's crown jewel has played 101 minor league games in center. But the 90-plus heat the lefthanded thrower brought when he pitched in high school was made for rightfield. If Brown delivers on his promise, you're looking at the Phillies' next No. 3 hitter. At 6-5, however, he needs a lot of work on his lead, particularly on learning to break off his secondary. Davey will have the kid taking off like Maury Wills. Or Davey Lopes.

* Tyson Gillies. All eyes will be on the 19-year-old, legally deaf, Canadian centerfielder who so far has displayed 4 1/2 tools. All but power, which could be on the way. His name will forever be linked with Cliff Lee. Tyson hit .341 in the California League and stole 44 bases.

* Anthony Gose. Drafted at age 17, the kid who led organized baseball with 76 steals at Lakewood last season won't be 20 until Aug. 10. He needs to bring his offense up to the level of his sprinter speed and big arm. "Anthony has some attitude," Gillick said. "I like that. He's coming right after you."

* Dewayne Wise. Think Mark Buehrle's perfect game. Think the catch of the year - the leap, pullback, tumble-while-juggling catch by the White Sox spare outfielder. He's Phillies property now, but probably will have to play a corner at Lehigh Valley with Berry in center.

Well, that's it . . . but not so fast. "You're forgetting one," Pat Gillick said. "Kid we drafted in the third round last June named Tyrell Hudson, a centerfielder. He might be faster than Anthony Gose."

And Enzo Ferrari is Phillies red with envy.

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