Shave knows his role and he's ready BY JOHNNY PAUL Star-Telegram Staff Writer NEW YORK - Rangers infielder Jon Shave doesn't expect to see the playing field during this Division Series. That didn't matter yesterday afternoon as the 31-year-old reserve infielder reviewed the 1999 season from his seat in Yankee Stadium's third-base dugout. "This has been a dream come true," Shave said before the Rangers took the field for Game 1 against the New York Yankees. His father, Tommy, predicted as much this past winter. "My dad kept telling me that this was going to be my year," Shave recalled. In many respects, it has been. Consider: - Shave spent an entire season in the major leagues for the first time in his 10 years as a professional after earning a berth on the Opening Day roster in spring training. = The Rangers captured the American League West title. a Shave contributed by hitting a respectable .288 during his 73 at-bats and proved to be steady in the field. All of the above hit him during the Rangers' postgame celebration after clinching the division title Sept. 26 against Oakland at The Ballpark in Arlington. "I felt very satisfied," Shave said. "I felt I helped this team." Shave did, no matter how limited his role. "I knew when I made the team that I wasn't going to play much," he said. "We have a lot of talented players who play a lot of innings, and I understood my role." Nevertheless, Shave finished the regular season with a ninegame hitting streak despite playing time that could be described as sporadic at best. That nine-game hitting streak began 67 days ago. Sixty-seven? "Hey, my only job is to be ready whenever they need me," Shave said. The Rangers won't need Shave in this series unless shortstop Royce Clayton gets hurt. That didn't matter yesterday afternoon. "It's all worked out great," Shave said. "We're in the postseason : at Yankee Stadium. This is awesome." Father knew best. Johnny Paul, (817) 390-7760
