The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 26

"SC ApriiH l9t TUB TENNESSON SPORTS: BASEBALL J- AMERICAN CONFERENCE Midwest Division Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs) tPf, Albuquerque Dukes (Los Angeles Dodgers) Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Colorado Rockies) Omaha Royals (Kansas City Royals) AMERICAN CONFERENCE Eastern Division New Orleans Zephyrs (Houston Astros) Oklahoma Redhawks (Texas Rangers) Memphis Redbirds (St Louis Cardinals) Nashville Sounds (Pittsburgh Pirates) PACIFIC CONFERENCE Southern Division Fresno Grizzlies (San Francisco Giants) Salt Lake Buzz (Minnesota Twins) Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks) Las Vegas Stars (San Diego Padres) PACIFIC CONFERENCE Western Division Edmonton Trappers (Oakland Athletics) Calgary Cannons (Chicago White Sox) Tacoma Tigers (Seattle Mariners) Vancouver Canadians (Anaheim Angels) Pacific Coast League uniin.i.H.iM.H-1 i I 7 liULU m-fThHriflfOtl 'fliilWli FREEMAN RAMSEY STAFF Sounds Manager Trent Jewett jv.lJvvI I i i V- I Going to Greer Stadium? Here are Getting to Greer INFIELDERS 38 GEORGE CANALE Bom: 81 165 HgtWgt: 6-1195BT: LR Residence: Roanoke, Va. 1997 stats: .331 20 HR, 70 RBI (in Taiwan) Career stats (minors): .264, 144 HR, 669 RBI Notes: Drafted by Milwaukee in 1986. Hit .164 with 4 HR, 13 RBI from '89-91. Led Pirates system with 102 RBI at Class AA Carolina in '95. Signed as minor league free agent on Feb.

1, 98 after playing in Taiwan in 97 and Italy in '96. 28 CASEY CANDAELE Bom: 11261 HgtWgt 5-9165 BT: SR Residence: San Luis Obispo, Calif. 1997 stats: .234, 7 HR, 42 RBI Career stats: 250, 11 HR, 139 RBI Notes: At 37, oldest player on Sounds roster. Signed with Montreal in 1982. Spent portions of nine seasons in majors, including an of H7 (Expos), 91 and 92 (Astros).

Split last season between Cleveland and Class AAA Buffalo. 3 CHAD HERMANSEN Bom: 91 077 HgtWgt 6-21 85 BT: RR Residence: Henderson, Nev. 1997 stats: 275, 20 HR, 70 RBI Career stats (minors): .273, 53 HR, 199 RBI Notes: The 10th overall pick in the 1995 draft, by the Pirates. Picked as a shortstop, has also played center field but is now playing second base. Spent last season at Class AA Carolina.

Hit .341 with 8 HR, 27 RBI in the Arizona Fall League in '97. 13 ABRAHAM NUNEZ Bom: 3'1676 HgtWgt: 5-11177 BT: SR Residence: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 1997 stats: 282, 4 HR, 52 RBI Career stats (minors): .281, 11 HR, 112 RBI: Notes: Originally signed with Toronto In 1994. Acquired from Blue Jays in December tHS trade. Played at Class A and Class AA levels and made major league debut last season (.225, 6 RBI, 2 doubles, 2 triples). Stole 40 bases in 97.

16 ARAMIS RAMIREZ Bom: 62578 HgtWgt 6-1190 BT: RR Residence: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 1997 Stats: 278, 29 HR, 114 RBI Career stats (minors): .286. 50 HR, 212 RBI Notes: Signed with Pittsburgh in 1994. Named the top prospect in the New York-Perm League in 96. Youngest player in the Class A Carolina League last year. Set Lynchburg team record for RBI.

Pirates' No. 2 prospect, according to BaseoaH America. 17 CHANCE SANFORD Bom: 6272HgtWgt 5-10175BP. LR Residence: Houston 1997 state: 283, 15 HR, 96 RBI Career stats (minors): .265, 60 HR, 31 5 RBI Notes: Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1992. 96 RBI between Class AA and Class AAA was second in the system.

Also had 11 triples last season. Saw time at second, third and shortstop. Second in the Southern League with 1 3 triples in 96. 7 RON WRIGHT Bom: 12176 HgtWgt: 6-1230 BT: RR Residence: St. George, Utah 1997 stats: .304, 16 HR, 63 RBI Career stats (minors): .264, 85 HR, 297 RBI Notes: Drafted by Atlanta in 1994.

Acquired from Braves with Pirate pitcher Jason Schmidt for Denny Neagle in August 96. Played at Calgary last year, fractured right wrist on July 21 ended season. Led 97 Arizona Fall League with 11 HR. OUTFIELDERS 35 DARRYL BRINKLEY Bom: 122368 HgtWgt: 5-11205 BT: RR Residence: Stamford, Conn. 1997 Stats: .313.

8 HR, 41 RBI Career stats (minors): .314, 52 HR, 255 RBI Notes: Played in Holland, Italy, the Northern and Prairie leagues before signing with Toronto in 1995. In Padres' system in 96, stole 31 bases at Class A and AA. Acquired from San Diego in June 97 trade. Played in Mobile and Mexico City in 97. ADRIAN BROWN Bom: 2774 HgtWgt: 6-0182 BT: SR Residence: Miss.

1997 stats: .280, 4 HR, 44 RBI Career stats (minors): .285, 19 HR, 1 86 RBI Notes: Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1992. Made major league debut last season, after playing at Class AA and Class AAA levels. Hit .1 90 with 1 HR, 10 RBI, 8 SB in two stints with Pirates. Stole 37 bases in 97, led Calgary with 20. 46 PHIL GEISLER Bom: 107239 HgtAVgt 6-3200 BT: LL Residence: Springfield, Ore.

1997 stats: 256, 9 HR, 57 RBI Career stats (minors): .240, 56 HR, 344 RBI Notes: Drafted by Philadelphia in 1991. Made 93 Arizona Fall League all-star team. Placed on Phillies' 40-man roster in 94. Joined Mets in 96. Played at Class AAA Norfolk last year.

30 MANNY MARTINEZ Bom: 10370 HgtWgt 6-2169 BT: RR Residence: San Pedro deMacoris, Dominican Republic 1997 state: .331 16 HR, 66 RBI Career stats (minors): .283, 63 HR, 379 RBI Notes: Originally signed with Oakland in 1988. Made brief appearances with Mariners and Phillies in 96 (.226, 0 HR, 4 RBI). Earned MVP honors with Calgary last season. 11 DARRELL WHITMORE Bom: 111868HgtWgt: 6-1220 BT LR Residence: Miramar, Fla. 1997 state: .260, 4 HR, 23 RBI Career stats (minors): .292, 54 HR, 250 RBI Notes: Drafted by Cleveland in 1990.

Flayed football, baseball at West Virginia. Taken by Marlins in expansion draft Spent parts of 93 and 94, al of 95 with Marlins (.203, 5 HR, 21 RBI). Played in Toronto chain and at Carolina in 97. COACHING STAFF MANAGER 44 TRENT JEWETT: 34 years old. Entering third year of managing at Class AAA level.

Led Mesa to Arizona Fan League division title in 96. Played four seasons in Pirates system as a catcher. North Texas grad. HITTING COACH 47 RICHIE HEBNER: 50 years old. Played 11 seasons with Pittsburgh ('68-76, B2-83), 1 8 in majors.

Member of 71 World Oiampions. 273. 206 HR, 890 RBI for career. Served as Boston hitting coach '89-91 PITCHING COACH 54 BRUCE TANNER: 36 years old. Played In White Sox, Athletics, Giants and Padres' systems Went 1-2, 5.33 with Sox "65.

Coached in San Diego organization. Son of ex-PiralA Braves manager Chuck Tanner. sj I7ie J998 Nashville Sounds, listed with uniform wooers, statistics and tidbits about each player PITCHERS 52 TAVO ALVAREZ Bom: 1 12571 HgtWgt: 6-3250 BT: FVR Residence: Sonora. Mexico 1997 stats: 4-8, 4.82, 86 Ks, 106.1 IP Career stats (minors): 53-46, 3 42 Notes: Drafted by Montreal in 1 990, Alvarez spent parts of 1995 and 96 with the Expos (3-6, 5.40). Pitched with Ottawa MontreaTs Class AAA affiliate, last season.

36 JIMMY ANDERSON Bom: 12276 HgtWgt 6-1195 BT: LL Residence: Chesapeake. Va. i 1997 stats: 9-7, 4.86, 94 Ks, 1272 IP Career stats (minors): 32-21, 3.14 Notes: Drafted by the Pirates in 1994, Anderson has posted a winning record in three of his four nm caacnw P.allori nr Place AAA loot Artril i and tost first four decisions before winning five straight. Went 13-6 at two levels in 96 (135 Ks, 162.1 IP). 34 KRIS BENSON Residence: Marietta, Ga.

1997 stats: 8-7, 387, 138 Ks, 128 IP Career stats (minors): 8-7, 3.87 Notes: The No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft, Benson who pitched in the 96 Olympics made his pro debut last season. Named an all-star in both the Carolina and Southern leagues. Tabbed the organization's top prospect by Baseball America. 31 TOM BOLTON Bom: 5662 HgtWgt: 6-3185 BT: LL Residence: Smyrna, Term.

1997 stats: 5-10, 6.92, 71 Ks, 73 IP Career stats (minors): 80-70, 3.78 Notes: Nashville native in second stint with Sounds (5-7, 4.43 in '95). Pitched for current manager Trent Jewett at Calgary in 1)6-97 (14-11, 5 07). 31-34, 4 56 in parts of eight seasons in the majors with Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit and Baltimore. -53 ROGER DOMAN Bom: 12673 HgtWgt: 6-51 90BT: RR Residence: Joplin, Miss. stats: 9-5, 4.04, 79 Ks, 111.1 IP tt Career stats (minors): 26-36, 4.56 2 Notes: Drafted by Toronto in 1991 Went 7-3 rt in Class AA last year before getting his first promo- 2 ton to Class AAA, where he was 1 -2.

Signed rt as minor league free agent on Jan. 2, '98. 419 strikeouts in 633.1 career innings. MIKE HALPERIN Bom: 9873 HgtWgt: 5-10170BT: LL Residence: Naples, Fla. 1997 stats: 7-7, 4.46, 84 Ks, 121 IP I Career stats (minors): 26-21 3.49 Notes: Drafted by Toronto in 1994.

Acquired rh same December '96 trade as Pittsburgh pitch- ere Jose Pen and Jose Silva and Sounds SS Abraham Nunez. Second in Southern League with 13 wins in 96. Earned SL Pitcher of the Week honors last Jury. 27 JULIAN HEREDIA Bom: 92269 HgtWgt: 6-11 70 BT: RR Residence: La Romana, Dominican Republic 1997 stats: 8-8, 3.84, 111 Ks, 147 IP (in Taiwan) Career stats (minors): 37-23, 3.33 0 Notes: Originally signed by California in '88 Pitched in Giants' organization in 136 before play- (ng in Taiwan last year. 40 career saves at the minor league level.

Ul n49 SEAN LAWRENCE ''Bom: 9270 HgtWgt: 6-421 5 BT: LL ft Residence: Hillside, 11. 1997 state: 8-9. 421, 116 Ks, 143.1 IP 1 Career stats (minors): 30-43, 4.09 Notes: Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1992. Named the organization's Class AAA pitcher of the year last season, playing at Calgary. Ranked among 1 the PCL leaders in ERA (second), starts (third) 2 land strikeouts (sixth).

Career strikeoutwalk ratio of 2.3:1. fSOJEFFMcCURRY Bom: 12170 HgtWgt 6-6220 BT: RR i Residence: Bellaire, Texas 1997 stats: 2-5, 4.63, 32 Ks, 58.1 IP Career stats (minors): 22-19, 4.25 Notes: Dratted by Pittsburgh in both '89 and '90; signed in '91. Spent parts of the last three sea- lJ sons in the majors (2-8, 5.40 in 90 appearances), -with the Pirates, Tigers and Rockies. "15 STEVE MINTZ Bom: 112468 HgtWgt: 5-10195 BT: LR Residence: Vero Beach, Fla. 1997 Stats: 5-2.

8.05, 28 Ks, 34.2 IP Career stats (minors): 36-31 3.76 Notes: Drafted by Dodgers in 1990. as a catch-rer. Named PCL MVP in '96, saving 27 games for Phoenix (Giants). Went 1-2, 7.45 for San Francisco in 95. 5 saves last season at last season.

.43 MATT RYAN Bom: 32072 HgtWgt 6-51 90 BT: RR Residence: Oxford, Miss. 1997 stats: 4-2, 2.22, 43 Ks, 522 IP Career stats (minors): Notes: Drafted by Pirates in 1993. 14 saves last season at Class AA in 48 appearances. 88 career saves, including double digits last four years. 26 saves at Carolina in '95, 20 at Calgary in '96.

Prepped at Kirby High in Memphis. CATCHERS 5 STEVE BIESER Bom: 8467 HgtWgt: 5-101 70BT: LR Residence: St. Genevieve, Mo. 1997 Stats: .194, 0HR, 8 RBI Career stats (minors): 271, 4 HR, 163 RBI Notes: Drafted by Philadelphia in 1989. Made major league debut with Mets last season (.246, three doubles, 16 runs in 47 games).

Caught and played all three OF positions with New York. 45 STEVE DECKER Bom: 1 02565 HgtWgt: 6-3220 BT: RR Residence: Keizer, Ore. 1997 stats: .297, 10 HR, 52 RBI Career stats: 219, 13 HR, 67 RBI Notes: Drafted by San Francisco in 1988. Spent parts of '90, 91 and 92 with Giants. Taken by expansion Marlins in '93.

Caught for Giants and Rockies in 96. Played for Seattle's Class AAA team last year. '51 TIM EDGE Bom: 102668 HgtWgt fr0210BT: RR Residence: Raleigh, N.C. 1997 stats: .235. 3 HR, 22 RBI Career stats: .221, 29 HR.

163 RBI Notes: Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1990. Made ftst Class AAA appearance in Played entire 97 season at Calgary, splitting time behind the plate. Threw out 37o auanv" I basestealers. Struck on) 50 times in 187 at- Ibats. Bv MAURICE PATTON Sports Writer NEW 1-40 RIVALRY The Sounds, who began play in the Southern League and were there from their 1978 inception until 1984, resume playing Memphis.

The Bluff City is one of two Class AAA expansion cities along with Durham, N.C, in the International League created by the major league expansion franchises in Arizona and Tampa Bay. Memphis is the Triple-A affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals. The Sounds-Chicks battles were some of the most heated in the Southern League, due obviously to the cities' proximity and the well-documented feelings each town has about the other. Since then, Memphis has been spurned by the NFL, Nashville has gotten pro football and hockey, and there's definitely no love lost. "I don't know if it's antagonism, but there's something between Nashville and Memphis," Sounds General Manager Bill Larsen said.

"It's good for baseball." A DOUBLEHEADER On July 5. It's Nashville's only ome dUD'echP of the year, with a 2 p.m. start. Although it's the Sounds' only scheduled double-header, it probably won't be the only one, weather in the area being what it is. NEW START TIMES -r After beginning games at 15 minutes Llj past the hour last season, and 35 past two years ago, games now start at the top of the hour.

"We didn't see any reason to have starts at a quarter after," Larsen said. "Seven is easier for families to get home at a reasonable hour, 15 minutes does make a difference." The majority of the games are set for 7 p.m., with some like tonight's scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday contests are slated for nine things to note HARD HATS All three of the picnic areas are sub- -J ect to ken encroached upon by batted balls during pregame practice so much so that the wooden fence in right field was cut down from eight to four feet with a chain link fence erected right behind it. "People in that picnic area were getting conked in the head with balls that they couldn't see coming," Larsen said. "This way, they can watch batting practice and see the ball coming." LONG BALLS r--v Beyond the outfield wall may be a Ly dangerous place to be with this bunch of Sounds at bat Calgary, Pittsburgh's Class AAA affiliate last year, hit 139 home runs in 138 games, and five of those sluggers are with the Sounds including Ron Wright and Manny Martinez, who both belted 16 for Calgary.

Also, second baseman Chad Hermansen hit 20 homers at Class AA Carolina, third baseman Aramis Ramirez crushed 29 at Class A Lynchburg and first baseman George Canale had 20 in Taiwan. CANES ANDOR WALKERS Not in the stands, but in the dugout. Nashville infielder Casey Candaele and pitcher Tom Bolton, at 37 and 35 years of age, have graybeard status on the team. Both, in fact, are older than Sounds Manager Trent Jewett (34) and are old enough to be the father of 19-year-old Ramirez. Also in the "thirtysome-thing" set catchers Steve Decker (32) and Steve Bieser (30) and Canale (32).

LOCAL FLAVOR Former Vanderbilt standout David Ck Daniels is in his third year in the Pittsburgh organization and currently is at Class A Lynchburg. He could be in a Sounds uniform before the summer is over. Bolton lives in Smyrna and played at Antioch High School. New Orleans New Orleans Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma at Albuquerque at Albuquerque at Albuquerque at Albuquerque at Colo. Springs at Cob.

Springs at Cob. Springs at Cob. Springs Omaha Omaha Omaha Omaha Edmonton Edmonton Edmonton Edmonton at Omaha at Omaha at Omaha at Omaha Tacoma Tacoma Tacoma 7 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m.

7 p.m. Noon 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m.

7 p.m. 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:05 7:05 7:05 12:05 7 p.m.

7 p.m. 7 p.m. Aug. 9 Aug. 11 Aug.

12 Aug. 13 Aug. 14 Aug. 15 Aug. 16 Aug.

17 Aug. 18 Aug. 19 Aug. 20 Aug. 21 Aug.

22 Aug. 23 Aug. 24 Aug. 25 Aug. 26 Aug.

27 Aug. 28 Aug. 29 Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept.

1 Sept. 7 Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept.

6 Sept. 7 Tacoma Tucson Tucson Tucson Tucson Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver Vancouver at Fresno at Fresno at Fresno at Fresno at Memphis at Memphis at Memphis at Memphis New Orleans New Orleans New Orleans New Orleans Memphis Memphis Memphis Memphis at New Orleans at New Orleans at New Orleans at New Orleans 4 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 6:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m.

7 p.m. Noon Noon 7:05 7:05 7:05 Take 1-65 to exit 81 (Wedgewood). Take Wedgewood to 8th Avenue and turn right Take 8th to Chestnut and turn right The ballpark is straight ahead on the left. Parking is free. either 2 p.m.

or 4 p.m., and four "businessman's specials" are set for noon starts on Wednesdays. PACKED BAGS Among the numerous Sounds promotions are Florida trip giveaways five in the first two months of the season, including one tonight. The only catch: Winners have to be ready to take off literally. "You've got to be ready to go, or you're not going, even if you do win," Larsen said. FEWER SEATS, MORE PICNICS The addition of a third picnic area along the third-base line, where bleacher seating was previously located reduced the stadium's capacity from 17,500 to 11,500.

"The fans wanted it," Larsen said regarding the picnics, usually held for companies. "We had 18,000 in booked corporate outings last year. This year, we're already over 60,000. We had to keep up with demand." The areas, only in use prior to the game, aren't expected to have a massive impact on attendance. "Nobody's averaging 10,000 in minor league baseball, anyway," he said.

"If you do a game, you're getting up there in the big numbers. But we would like to make it a tougher ticket on weekends. We've already sold more tickets than we sold all of last year." 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:05 1:35 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7 p.m.

7 p.m. 7 pm. 7 p.m. 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 7 p.m. 2 p.m.

7 p.m. July 11 July 12 July 13 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 19 July 20 July 21 July 22 Jury 23 July 24 July 25 Jury 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug. 1 Aug. 2 Aug. 3 Aug.

4 Aug. 5 Aug. 6 Aug. 7 Aug. 8 7 p.m.

7 p.m. April 7 attowa May 10 at Tucson 7 p.m. June 11 Iowa Aprils attowa May 11 at Tucson 7 p.m. June 12 Iowa April 9 attowa May 12 at Tucson 7 p.m. June 13 at Tacoma April 10 attowa May 13 at Salt Lake 7 pm.

June 14 at Tacoma AprtlH Colo.Springs 6p.m. May14 atSaltLake 7p.m. June15 atTacoma April 12 Colo.Springs 4 p.m. May 15 at Salt Lake 7 p.m. June 16 atTacoma April 13 Colo.Springs 7 p.m.

May 16 atSaltLake 7 p.m. June 18 at Vancouver April 14 Colo.Springs 7 p.m. May 17 at Memphis 6:05 June 19 at Vancouver April 16 Albuquerque 7 p.m. May 18 at Memphis 7:05 June 20 at Vancouver April 17 Albuquerque 7 p.m. May 19 at Memphis 7:05 June 21 at Vancouver April 18 Albuquerque 4 p.m.

May 20 at Memphis 7:05 June 22 Fresno April 19 Albuquerque 2 m. May 22 Salt Lake 7 p.m. June 23 Fresno April 21 at New Orleans 7:05 May 23 Salt Lake 7 p.m. June 24 Fresno April 22 at New Orleans 7:05 May 24 Salt Lake 2 p.m. June 25 Fresno Apr 23 at New Orleans 7:05 May 25 Salt Lake 2 p.m.

June 26 at Oklahoma April 24 at New Orleans 7:05 May26 atCalgary 7:05 June27 at Oklahoma Apr 25 at Oklahoma 7:05 May 27 at Calgary 7:05 June 28 at Oklahoma April 26 at Oklahoma 2:05 May 28 atCalgary 7:05 June 29 at Oklahoma April 27 at Oklahoma 7:05 May 29 atCalgary 7:05 June 30 at Us Vegas April 28 at Oklahoma 7:05 May 30 at Edmonton 7:05 Jury 1 at Las Vegas April 30 Calgary 7 m. May 31 at Edmonton 2.05 July 2 at Las Vegas Mayl Calgary 7 p.m. Junel at Edmonton 7:05 July 3 at Las Vegas May 2 Calgary 4 p.m. June 2 at Edmonton 7:05 Jury 4 Memphis May 3 Calgary 2 p.m. June 4 Oklahoma 7 p.m.

Juty5 Memphis (2) May 5 Las Vegas 7 p.m. June 5 Oklahoma 7 p.m. Jury 6 Memphis May 6 Las Vegas Noon June 6 Oklahoma 7 p.m. July 7 AH-Star Break May 7 Las Vegas 7 p.m. June 7 Oklahoma 4 m.

July 8 All-Star Break May 8(1, Las Vegas 7 p.m. June 9 Iowa 7p.m,i July 9 New Orleans May 9 at Tucson 7:30 June 10 Iowa Noon July 10 New Orleans.