The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 57

A Score worth remembering Indians voice saw enough bad to relish the good Reds Manager: Ray Knight Manager Felipe Atou." 1995 record: 66-78 (5th in NL East). ProtaSia fcsg 1995 record: 85-59 RF Sherman Obancto IF Vince Coleman 2B Mike Lansing CF Mike Kelly CF Rondell White SS Barry Larkin LF MoisesAlou RF Reggie Sanders IB David Segui 1B Hal Morris Damn Fletcher 33 Chris Sabo 3B Shane Andrews EdTaubensee SS Mark Grudzielanek 2B Jeff Branson (1st in NL Central). Bel. (4th in AL East). he is also remembered for having been nailed in the face by a line drive off of Gil McDougal's bat early in the 1957 season.

It was the beginning of the end of his brilliant career. "That comes up now and then, but this is my 33rd year of broadcasting. A lot of people only know me as a broadcaster. A couple of generations have gone by since I played," he said. "A lot of our players now will say, 'You used to They don't follow it.

"The ball that hit me, I just didn't see, but that isn't why Herb Score was a lousy pitcher. The next year I tore the tendon in my elbow, in A ball I guess it was. I tore a tendon and just never came back. Pitchers do that everyday. Whether it was the medication or the layoff, I'll never know.

It was just something that happened." Starting pitcher: Jeff Fassero (13-14, 4.33 ERA). Starting rotation: RH Pedro Martinez, LH Fassero, LH Carlos Perez, LH Rheal Cormier, LH Kirk Rueter. Closer: Mel Rojas. Remaining schedule: Tomorrow vs. Detroit, Nashville; Sunday vs.

Kansas City, Nashville. Season opener. Monday at Cincinnati. Starting pitcher: John Smiley (12-5, 3.46 ERA). Starting rotation: LH Pete Schourek, LH Smiley, RH Mark Portugal, RH Dave Burba, RH Jose Rijo.

Closer: Jeff Brantley (injured) and Hector Carrasco. Remaining schedule: Tomorrow vs. Kansas City, Nashville; Sunday vs. Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio. Season opener Monday vs.

Montreal. Manager Buddy 1995 record: 60-84 h- Manager: Terry Bevington. 1995 record: 68-76 (3rd in AL Central). Probsts tvssn By LARRY TAFT Sporis Writer When the Cleveland Indans came off a World Series runner-up finish in 1954 and began the 1955 season with hopes of return to the Fall Classic, Herb Score was there. When the Indians were frequently the divisional doormat in the 1970s and '80s, Score was there, suffering along with Cleveland's fans.

And when the club rose to take the American League championship last fall, Herb Score was still there. In a broadcasting career that is entering its 33rd season, preceded by eight seasons as a big-league player, there isn't much that the venerable Score has not experienced. That, perhaps, is why he is relishing in the '90s success of the Indians, who many now call the best team in baseball. "This is not an accident," Score proudly said last night prior to the Cleveland-St. Louis exhibition game at Greer Stadium.

"When Mr. Richard Jacobs and his brother David bought the ball-club, they made the commitment to stay in Cleveland. They put a lot of money in it and brought Hank Peters in to run it. He was the architect of getting the thing under way. He brought front office executives John Hart and Danny O'Dowd in.

They had a plan. It wasn't just haphazard. They really attacked the farm system and hired young scouts and coaches and managers." The end result is a Cleveland team that is the odds-on favorite to win the American League title. It has a new stadium in Jacobs Field and sold out for the entire 1996 season before Christmas. "None of this an accident.

They knew the ballpark was coming, and they viewed the team the same way, but it sort of arrived a year early," Score said. "They thought last year would be a good year and this year would be even better. As it turned out, they had a good year in '94 and were outstanding last year. I think they are a better team right now than they were last year because a year ago at this time, nobody knew what Orel Hershiser could do. "They did not have a closer.

Mike Hargrove did not get manager of the year, but he deserved it. He's the fellow who put Jose Mesa in the bullpen and said, 'You're my He also solidified the bullpen by identifying the roles of each guy out there." And the rise of the Indians has been paralleled by an end to references to the city as a "Mistake by the Lake." "There have been a lot of negatives about the city of Cleveland. They used to make jokes about it, but they're not making jokes any more," he said. "Downtown has been revitalized with the Jacobs Field and Gund Arena. A lot of restaurants have opened up.

They've really upgraded the downtown area. "Baseball is a game of identity. People like to have heroes and people to cheer for. Cleveland fans have that. They know that they're going to see a Carlos Baerga, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle and Jim Thome because they're all signed to long-term contracts." Long-time baseball fans remember Score as the American League Rookie of the Year in 1955 when he went 16-10 with a 2.85 earned run average.

Some may recall is 20-9, 2.53 sophomore season. But LF Tony Phillips CF Chad Curtis 2B Ray Durham 2B Mark Lewis 1B Frank Thomas 3B Travis Fryman DH Harold Baines 1B Cecil Fielder RF Danny TartabuH RF Bob Higginson 3B Robin Ventura LF MeMn Nieves Ron Karkovice DH Eddie Williams CF Darren Lewis John Flaherty SS Ozzie Guillen SS AlanTrammeH Starting pitcher: Kevin Tapani (10-13, 4.97 ERA). Starting rotation: RH Alex Fernandez, LH Wilson Alvarez, RH Jason Bere, RH Tapani, RH Scott Ruffcom. Closer: Roberto Hernandez. Season opener: Sunday at Seattle.

Cincinnati vs. Detroit 5 p.m. Starting pitcher: Scott Aldred (no major league appearances). Starting rotation: RH Jose Lima, RH Felipe Lira, LH C.J. Nitkowski, RH C.

Sodowsky, RH Greg Gohr. Remaining: Tomorrow vs. Montreal, Nashville. Season opener Monday at Minnesota. Snopek fills role of utility infielder Mile 2 I 1 Fort Negleyl ChestmrtSl Yestantey pass Chicago White Sox 4, Texas 3 WP McCaskill, 1-0.

LP Oliver 2-1. Sv Sauveur(1) Cleveland 9, St. Louis 3 WP Lopez, 3-0. LP Busby 0-1 Tomorrow's sanies Montreal (Perez, 10-8, 3.69 ERA) vs. Detroit (Lima, 3-9, 6.11 ERA), 11:30 a.m.

Cincinnati (Burba, 10-4, 3.95 ERA) vs. Kansas City (Haney, 3-4, 3.65 ERA), 5 p.m. sasM Montreal (Cormier, 7-5, 4.07 ERA) vs. Kansas City (Belcher, 10-12, 4.52 ERA), 1 p.m. 1 1 "I Tlw TENNESSEAN Will 6ssa1 today 9 a.m.

Gates open 9:15 am. White Sox batting practice 10 a.m. Expos batting practice 10:45 a.m. White Sox infield 10:55 am Expos Infield 11:20 a.m. Team introductions 1 1 :25 a.m-National anthem 11:30 am First pitch GanssZtoday 2:45 p.m.

Gates open 2:45 pm Tigers batting practice 3:30 pm Reds batting practice 4:15 p.m. Tigers infield 4.25 p.m. Reds infield 4.50 p.m. Team introductions 4.55 p.m. National anthem 5 p.m.

First pitch (M) MOTOROLA I Portable I Cellular Phone 100-minute talk time Built-in ACDC charger 32-number memory Only 9 5 OZ. with battery 62137 GRfTI r.f.:T I ST. LOUIS Smith SS Clayton ss McGee Jordan rf Sweeney lb Lanktord cf Meiia cf Ganl dh Gaelli 3t Oliva 3b Mabry Ib-rf Borders Murphy ph Alicea 2b Bell 2b CLEVELAND abrhbi 2 12 0 Lofton cl 2 10 0 K.rby cf 4 12 0 Franco lb 2 0 0 0 Perry lb 10 10 Baerga 2b 3 0 12 Leius 2b-3b 1 0 0 0 Belle If 3 0 0 1 Burnitz rf 2 0 10 Murray dh 2 0 0 0 Thome 3b 4 0 10 Candaele 2b 3 0 10 Ramirez rf 1 0 0 0 Giles If 2 0 10 Pena 2 0 0 0 Levis Espinoza ss ab bi 2 2 0 0 10 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 12 0 3 0 2 2 2 10 0 2 111 12 0 0 4 12 2 2 0 0 0 1110 3 0 0 3 10 12 3 fl 2 1 10 0 0 4 0 10 Totals 34 3 10 3 Totals 35 12 I St. Louis 101 OnO 010 -3 Cleveland oil 050 20k -9 McGee, Clayton. DP-St.

Louis 1, Cleveland 2. LOB-SI. Louis 6, Cleveland 7. 2B-LanMord, Smith, Alicea, Murray, Gites. HR-BeHe (5).

SF-Gant IP ER BB SO St. Louis Busby L.0-1 4 1-3 8 7 7 34 Fossas 2-310010 Parreit 1 0 0 0 1 1 Honevcutl 1 2 2 2 0 0. Mathews 1 10.000 Cleveland Lopez W.3-0 7 2 2 0 4 DeLaRosa 2 0 0 0 0 0 Graves 2 3 110 1 HBP-Jordan, Burnitz WP-Lopez. T-242 A-NA. HOME CROWD: Texas Ranger Infielder Luis Ortiz had a big crowd in the stands for yesterday's game against Chicago.

Ortiz, drafted in the eighth round of the 1991 draft by the Boston Red Sox, left 30 tickets from friends and teammates from Union I University in Jackson, Tenn. CHIP OFF THE BLOCK: St. Louis announcer Joe Buck is following in the footsteps of his father Jack. Joe Buck will be the No. 1 baseball an-nouncer this summer for the Fox Network.

Buck will be paired on the weekly game of the week and the playoffs and World Series with Hall of Famer Tim McCarver. OPTIMISM IN ST. LOUIS: The is a real air of optimism In St. Louis these days. With St.

Lous getting a new manager in Tony La Russa and a host of free agent pickups in the offseason, the Cardinals players and fans are hoping that the 1996 season will be one to remember. TOUGH COMPETITION: St. Louis shortstop Ozzie Smith is being challenged at the shortstop position by Royce Clayton. But Smith he Isn't worried by the competition. RETURNING FANS: Although the players strike is now a distant memory, not everyone thinks that the fans have totally forgotten the players walking out on them two August ago.

"I think some fans said that they were not going to come back and they haven't come back," said Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck. "And there are some fans that have come back. But I think it has gotten better." Ozzie Smith thinks that the baseball is In fine shape. "People forget," said Smith. HEY, UMP: Nashvillian Chuck Mer-iweather, an American League umpire, worked the Chicago-Texas game behind the plate.

FUND-RAISER Greenbrier's baseball team is assisting the Greer Stadium grounds crew for this weekend's exhibition series. Bobcat Coach Tommy Williamson is the brother of Nashville Sounds clubhouse manager Tim Williamson. The team working to raise funds. SOUNDS FOE: Cleveland first baseman Herbert Perry went 2-for-3 and scored a run last night, but he thinks he'll get the opportunity for a few more at-bats at Greer Stadium this year as a member of the Buffalo Bisons. HEY, BUDDY: Chicago White Sox bullpen catcher Mark Salas, a member of Nashville's 1982 Southern League championship team, was greeted by avid Sounds' fan Chuck Ross when he first appeared on the field.

CHUCK MORRIS and ANTHONY COLEMAN tie, probably wil not be on the opening-day roster. Mitchell, a late-signing free agent who missed the first month of camp, will probably stay in Florida to work on his hitting. Belinda, who's recovering from tendinitis, might start the season on the disabled fist. REDS HURT: The Reds broke camp with five players on the disabled list and another at a hospital getting tests. Reliever Chuck McBroy, the only left-hander in the bullpen, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a puO- ed hamstring.

Cincinnati will open the season with McElroy, starter Jose Rijo, closer Jeff Brantley and outfielders Er-': ic Anthony and Thomas Howard disa- bled. The Reds expect to knowVnore about second baseman Bret Boone's condition today. Boone has bone chips in his right elbow. TENNESEAN NEW? SERVICES JACKIE BELL STAFF Gil Heredia of the Texas Rangers rests his cap on his face in war-mups yesterday at Greer Stadium. something that sticks out, he'll tell you.

Hitting is individual. There are a lot of adjustments." If things work out, Snopek might have a bright future ahead. "He can use this role as a stepping-stone to a starting spot sometime in the future," Bevington By CHUCK MORRIS Spirts II rilcr Versatility has ensured former Nashville Sound Chris Snopek a spot in the major leagues to start the 1996 season. Snopek, selected the best defensive third baseman in the Southern League in 1994, was moved to shortstop while still a Sound last season, and hit .323. In two stints with the Chicago White Sox, he hit .324.

Yesterday, he was 2-for-4 with an RBI as the White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 in the first game of the Nashville Baseball Classic. "Playing shortstop has given me a chance to play in the big leagues," Snopek said. "It has helped my value as a player." The right-handed hitter will have to get used to fewer at bats after playing every day in the minors. "Hopefully I can make the adjustment and play good when I play," he said. "Right now in spring training, he's adjusted real well," said Ron Schueler, the White Sox senior vice president of major league operations.

"During the season, it's going to be tough. It's tough on the younger guys." Snopek started yesterday's game at shortstop and finished at third. "He's one of our utility guys," said White Sox Manager Terry Bevington. "His role on our club is to become the best utility man in this league this year." An everyday position for Snopek won't come for awhile with all-stars Robin Ventura and Ozzie Guillen manning the left-side of the infield. "Defensively, we think he's ready.

The question is how much hitting he can do in a part-time role when you're not playing every day," Schueler said. Snopek credits Sounds hitting coach Roger La Francois as well as White Sox hitting coach Bill Buck-ner with his success at the plate. "There wasn't that much difference between them," Snopek said. "They both like to work hard. It's very relaxed.

If Buckner sees BOY STRUCK: Cleveland Indians star Manny Ramirez struck a 5-year-otd boy with his car while slowly driving from the ballpark parking lot. Winter Haven, police said yesterday. The boy. Brent Simpson of Garretts-vilte, Ohio, broke his pelvis. Ramirez was not cited at the scene, but police said they were investigating.

JAPAN TRIP: The Seattle Mariners will open their 1997 season in Japan against the Detroit Tigers. Major League Baseball officials OK'd the idea of scheduling regular-season games abroad. The Japan trip is contingent on approval by the players union and final agreement from MLB's international division. BONILLA DH: Bobby Bonifla won't be starting in right field, and he won't be at third base. The Baltimore Orioles have a new soot for him doci7natvi 1 1 HwwwawawwwjiBBBBBBBBMBHBaaaaaaaahJ said.

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Manager Davey Johnson revealed his tentative lineup yesterday, and the biggest surprise was that Tony Tarasco win be starting in right field instead of Bonifla when the Orioles open Monday against Kansas City. At third win be B.J. Surhoff. PUCKETT'S VISION: Kirby Puckett reported vision problems, and was being tested by specialists. Team physician Len Michienzi said it was too early to tefl whether the problem was serious, but doubted It was related to Puckett's bearing by Cleveland's Dennis Martinez on Sept- 28, 1995.

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