THINKS THE EAGLES STOLE ONE
As spring trainings go, this one was about average. Some have been better. Some have been worse. It was, as always, difficult to determine how much emphasis should be placed on results and stats during a schedule in which starters often get only a couple of at-bats or don't play at all while players destined for the minors fill out the innings.
Dallas Green has seen 51 spring trainings and doesn't pretend to have it figured out. But as he gazed down at the field one day earlier this week, he was generally upbeat about the team's chances, with the disclaimer that he didn't see enough depth to keep the team afloat in case of a string of injuries.
There was one thought that nagged at the only man who has ever managed the Phillies to a world championship, though.
"The only thing that worries me is that I've never been a switch-turner," he said. "Today's players, a lot of them, seem to want to just go about their business and they think they can just turn on the switch when the regular season starts."
A few hours later, after he finished pitching, veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer snapped to attention when asked about getting his work in. He didn't approach spring training that way, he said. "I'm one who believes you can't just flip the switch when the season starts," he added.
It's an old debate that seems particularly relevant for a Phillies team that has stressed getting off to a quick start this year, especially since the unforgiving schedule calls for them to play 22 of their first 28 games against National League East opponents.
In the last few days, manager Charlie Manuel says he has sensed the team starting to come together. Have they, in fact, flipped the switch?
The answer will begin to be revealed Monday when the season opens at Citizens Bank Park against the Braves.
* Steve Swindal, who is married to George Steinbrenner's daughter Jennifer, appeared poised to take control of the Yankees after the Boss steps aside. But Swindal was arrested for DUI on Valentine's Day. His wife has now filed for divorce. And, according to published reports, Steinbrenner is looking for a way to buy out Swindal's interest in the team.
* , who is married to daughter , appeared poised to take control of the Yankees after the Boss steps aside. But Swindal was arrested for DUI on Valentine's Day. His wife has now filed for divorce. And, according to published reports, Steinbrenner is looking for a way to buy out Swindal's interest in the team.* Mariners minor leaguer Chris Minaker did an 86-page master's thesis at Stanford on the social pressure athletes facing to use performance-enhancing substances. His conclusion: "If the need for steroids is broken down by sport, it becomes clear that baseball has the biggest problem."
* Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman has been a bust in the first two seasons of his 4-year, $16.8 million contract. But hitting coach Mitchell Page says he's had the best at-bats of any player on the team. "If he carries it over into the season, he's going to hit .290 and be an All-Star," he predicted. Responded Guzman: "I know everybody's talking. So I have to so something."
* Giants lefthander Barry Zito is on a nutrition program formulated by a former NASA consultant, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Every other day in spring training, Zito received shipments of vacuum-sealed packets of blackberry custard, spinach flour pasta and mandarin toast that had been formulated specifically for his body chemistry.
* Grady Sizemore led the
* led theIndians in hits last season. He's batting .117 this spring. Travis Hafner led the Tribe in homers. He hasn't hit any in Grapefruit League play.
* The Twins sent Matt Garza
(1.50 ERA) to the minors and kept Carlos Silva (11.02) in their rotation. "Sometimes spring training is very deceiving. And, hopefully, that's the case here," said manager Ron Gardenhire.
* Marcus Giles will lead off for
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