Carpenter hoping to build future: in Baltimore Orioles organization By PAT LANGFORD Palm Beach Post Staff Writer When a minor league baseball player is released, it often means the end of his playing days. But for Doug Carpenter, getting cut from the New York Yankees organization may have signaled a new beginning. The former Lake Worth High . School and Palm Beach Junior College outfielder got a second chance. The Baltimore Orioles picked him up and assigned him to their Class A Hagerstown farm club. Carpenter's days with the Yankees ended April 3. He was working out with the club's Class AAA Columbus team in spring training and preparing to begin his fifth year with the organization when he was informed that he was no longer in the Yankees' plans. Carpenter had mixed feelings. Working out with Columbus may have been an indication that he would have started the year in Class AAA after splitting the last two seasons between Class A Fort Lauderdale and Class AA Albany (N.Y.). But he knew of players in other organizations who began professional careers at the same time he did and already were major leaguers. "I felt bad in a way, and kind of elated in another," Carpenter said. "I was going nowhere with (the Yankees). They were so stacked with prospects, there was nowhere to go." Carpenter wasn't ready to begin a new line of work and started looking for another place to play. He 1 '(The Yankees) were so stacked with prospects, there was nowhere to go.' DOUG CARPENTER didn't have to look very long. Three days after his release, he was signed as a free agent by the Miami Marlins of the Florida State League. "The day I got released, I talked to (Baltimore executives director for minor leagues and scouting) Tom Giardano," Carpenter said. "He told me the Marlins were having tryouts. I told (Miami) I wanted to play and I thought I could still play. They gave me a chance." Though they're an independent club, the Marlins roster includes players who are the property of other organizations, including Baltimore, and scouts from many teams drop by Miami's games looking for prospects. Hooking on with the Marlins gave Carpenter the chance to prove he still was capable of playing pro ball. He made the most of that opportunity, leading Miami in hitting with a .290 average, in stolen bases with 40 and in game-winning RBI with six. He had 21 doubles, four triples, a home run and 38 RBI. Giardano, an occasional visitor to Miami, saw enough to make Carpenter a part of the Baltimore organization. Carpenter was signed and sent to the Hagerstown Suns, the Orioles' Carolina League Club, a move Giardano considered a promotion. Carpenter got off to a fast start with the Suns. He set a franchise record for most hits by a player in his first game when he went 4-foc-7;: in the leadoff spot. He had arrived; in town early on the morning of , the!; game and started in right field that,' night. . . ; ;! "I got three hours sleep the first.; night," he said. "I had a pretty good; game. I was kind of happy after'' getting called up. That really!! pumped me up." ? ! Carpenter has continued his "hot; hitting. Through seven games he is batting .382 with a home run and;! three RBI. He has scored six rims; and is 3-for-3 in stolen bases. .. !'. "As of this time he has impressed; us with the ability to play the out-;! field," Giardano said. "He's an ng-!' gressive hitter, a very aggressive! outfielder. We're pleased to have; him. He's quite a competitor." , . Carpenter has batted in several; spots in the order in his pro career.' When he got to Hagerstown, he was! installed in the leadoff spot. The',, change corresponds with Carperi-;', ter's new hitting style. ; !; "I'm just trying to get on base! and make things happen," he said.; "I've changed my style. I'm trying! to hit aggressively. When I first!; started with the Yankees, I just; tried to hit line drives." '.' Carpenter is as happy to be wUh! the Orioles as they are to have him. ;; But he knows that if he doesn't!; perform well enough, the OrioEs; could give up on him like the Yan-; kees did. !; "It's like anywhere else," Car-!' penter said. "You've got to put the ; numbers on the board, hope they.; notice, and see what happens." ;
