The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 26

fiC Thursday, April 8 1999 THE TENNfcSSEAN SPORTS: BASEBALL I PITCHERS INFIELD ERS 37 IVAN CRUZ 1B St Bom: 538. HtWt 6-2225. SI BT: LABI Residence: Jacksonville, Ra. Career stats (minors): .265, 167 MR. Notes: Played in just 61 games in Yankees' organization last season, suffering a knee injury in Nashville begins its second season in the Pacific Coast League tonight April opwil suvef i yeais hi i Rjeta km i uctuio signing with Yankees in '96 Hit 31 HR at Jacksonville in '95, 28 with Columbus in '96 and 24 at Columbus in '97 i.

Played 11 games with Yanks in '97 (.250, 3 RBI). 24 DOUG STRANGE UTIL Bom: 4134. SiHtAVt: 6-1188. BT: SR. St Residence: Greenville, C.

St 1998 stats: .186, 0 HR, 14 RBI. m. OIO 11 UD 011 DRI if Notes: Will open the season here on a rehabilitation assignment (groin, elbow) Spent most of last year wim ii i-idij, mum iui a rehab assignment with Class AA Carolina In his sixth organization, having been chosen by Detroit in the '85 draft (7th round). 6 MATT HOWARD UTIL Bom: 92267. HtWt 5-10170.

BT: RR. Residence: San Diego, Calif. 1998 stats: 278, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 10 SB. Career stats (minors): 287, 21 HR. Notes: Played with Class AAA Fresno (Giants) last season Hit his second homer against p1! r.

Nashville on Aug. 1 9 in an 8-7 Grizzlies' win Saw time at second, third, shortstop and catcher In his sixth organization Made major league debut with Yankees in '96 (.204, 1 HR, 9 RBI). 10 JEFF PATZKE2B Bom: 111973. HtWt 60190. BT: SR.

Residence: Klamath Falls. Ore. 1998 stats: .298, 7 HR, 52 RBI. Notes: Arrived in Nashville via trade with loronto organization on May 14, ao oanea .346 in May, including a nine-game hitting streak had a 10-game streak in August, and hit acuciy ii i i wi iooi yai i too lwi i uu League with 85 walks in '95. Bom: 62870.

HtWt 5-9185. BT: RR. Residence: Auburn, NY. 1998 stats: .189, 0 HR, 14 RBI. i u4-UK nV WW Si 1 1 ERIC PARSONS STAFF Under the supervision of Sounds pitching coach Bruce Tanner, left, veteran relief pitcher Rich Sauveur warms up for Tuesday's preseason game.

Career stats (majors): .234, 4 HR, 35 RBI. Notes: Played all of last season with the Pirates and the majority of the '97 campaign Hit .273 with Pittsburgh following his mid-May callup two years ago Spent parts of '95, '96 and '97 at the Class AAA level Played collegiately at Florida 7 MIKE ROBERTSON IB S) Bom: 10970. HtWt: 6-0189. BT: LL Residence: Las Vegas. Nev.

1998 Stats: 269, 13 HR, 70 RBI. Career stats (minors): .267, 99 HR, 494 RBI. Notes: Batted .154 in 11 games with the Qamondbacks last year, after hitting .273 with Class AAA Tucson Third straight season to make a major league appearance ('96. White Sox; '97, Phillies) Played with the Sounds from 1994-96, hitting 48 homers and driving in 147 runs Named best defensive 1B in Florida State League ('92), American Association (95) and International League (97). 16 ARAMIS RAMIREZ 3B 1 Bom: 6S578.

HtWt: 6-1215 BT: RR. Residence: Santo Domingo. R. HR.42RBI. Career stats (minors): 285, 55 HR.

Notes: Jumped from Single-A to Triple-A last season, then became the youngest player in the majors when he debuted with the Pirates on May 26 at the age of 19 Batted .235 with 6 HR and 24 RBI with Pittsburgh, .274 with 5 HR and 1 8 RBI with the Sounds Started 71 games at third base for Bucs. OUTFIELDERS Veteran reliever dealing with frustrations of up-and-down career Bom: 12276. HtWt 6-1190. BT: LA Residence: Chesapeake. Va 1998 stats: 9-10, 5.02, 63 Ks, 123.2 IP.

Career stats (minors): 41-31 3.53. Notes: Second on the Sounds' staff last season victories, despite splitting the year between the rotation and the bullpen Gave up just one earned run in his first seven relief appearances (11.1 IP) Went 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA in nine starts in the Arizona Fall League. 31GREQHANSEU. Bom: ai271 HtWt 6-5224. BT: RR.

Residence: Gig Harbor, Wash. 1998 stats: 8-3, 2 69, 75 Ks, 83.2 IP. Career stats (minors): 62-50, 3.85. Notes: Signed by Pirates after being released by Giants late last month Spent '98 with PCL foes Edmonton (Athletics) and Omaha (Royals). Posted 13 saves in 59 relief apearances Played portions of the previous three seasons in majors ('95, Dodgers; '96, Twins; '97, Brewers).

29 JIM DOUGHERTY Bom: 3668. HtWt 6-1225. BT: RR. Residence: Kitty Hawk, N.C. 1998 stats: 2-3, 4.52.

48 Ks. 69 2 IP. Career stats (minors): 32-14, 128 saves. Notes: Opened last season with Athletics and was 0-2, 8.25 in nine games over two stints Spent portions of '95 and '96 with Astros Led Class AAA Norfolk (Mets) in whs, ERA and appearances (10-1, 1 .45 in 49 games) in '97 Posted double-digit save figures his first four seasons. 46 JOEY LONG Bom: 71570 HtWt 6-21220.

BT: RL Residence: Quincy, Oho. 1998 stats: 24, 4.40, 41 Ks, 47 IP. Career stats (minors): 15-30, 4.71. Notes: Pitched for Class AAA Ottawa (Expos) last season, appearing in 34 games and making one start Drafted by the Padres in 1991 (fifth round) Made his major league debut with San Diego in '97 (10 games, 8.18 ERA) Spent portions of the past four seasons at the tripie-A level. 45BOBMILACKI Bom: 72864.

HtWt 6-4530. BT: RR. Residence: Lake Havasu. Arc. 1998 stats: 10-8.

3 84, 104 Ks, 189 2 IP. Career stats (majors): 39-47, 4 38. Notes: Spent last season with Class AAA New Orleans (Astros) after playing in Japan in 97 Played parts of 1988-92 with Orioles, including a 14-12. 3.74 campaign in '89 Started and went six innings of a combined no-hitter on July 1 3, 1991 at Oakland Also with Indians (93), Royals ('94) and Mariners ('96). 41 TODD RITCHIE Bom: 11771.

HtWt 6-3215. BT: RR. Residence: Kerens. Texas. 1996 Stats: 1-3.

4.57, 83 Ks, 84.2 IP. Career stats (minors): 34-44, 8 saves, 4 49. Notes: Split 98 between Twins and Class AAA Salt Lake Played entire '97 season with Minnesota (2-3, 4.58, 42 appearances) Won his major league debut on April 3, '97 against Detroit Spent '93 and '94 seasons with Nashville Xpress (Twins-AA), going 3-4 with a 4.38 ERA; both years were shortened by shoulder problems. 43 MATT RYAN Bom: 32072. HtWt: 6-5190.

BT: RR. Residence: Oxford. Miss. 1998 stats: 4-3, 4.17. 41 Ks, 86.1 IP.

Career stats (minors): 17-17, 2.92. Notes: Made the first start of his professional career last year on June 1 5 at Tacoma after 247 relief appearances Started six games among his 51 games Posted three saves, after turning in at least 14 each of the four previous seasons Played high school ball at Kirby High in Memphis. 22RICHSAUVEUR Bom: 112363. HtWt 6-4195. BT: LA Fla.

1998 stats: 1-4. 2.01. 49 Ks. 53.2 IP. Career stats (minors): 84-73.

2.86. Notes: Saved 10 games in 46 appearances with Sounds after joining team on May 12 Allowed just three earned runs in his first 31 games In the Pirates' chain for the third time Has played in the majors with the Bucs, Expos, Mets, Royals and White Sox. 39 JEFF SPARKS Bom: 4472. HtWt: 6-3220. BT: RR.

Residence: Houston, Texas. 1998 stats: 2-1. 3.12. 85 Ks. 49 IP.

Career stats (minors): 6-12, 4.74. Notes: Spent past two seasons with Wnnepeg of the independent Northern League Went 3-2, 3.34 with 17 saves in two Northern League seasons, striking out 105 hitters in 62 innings Originally selected by Reds in 24th round of '95 draft. 47TOOPVANPQPPa. Bom: 12971 HtWt: 6-5241 BT: RR. Residence: Southlake, Texas.

1998 stats: 7-9, 4.86, 115 Ks, 157.1 IP. Career stats (majors): 22-37. 6.24. Notes: Acquired along with second baseman Warren Morris in midseason trade with Texas Went 1-2 with a 5.36 ERA for Pittsburgh in 18 games Picked 14th in the '90 draft by Oakland and made his major league debut a year later, at age 19 Minor league numbers: 26-42, 4.35. BRAD CLONTZ Bom: 42571 HtWt: 6-11 95.

BT: RR. Residence: Alpharetta, Ga. 1998 stats: 56, 3.11, 77 Ks, 92.2 IP. Career stats (majors): 21-5. 4 68.

Notes: Pitched for Dodgers and Mets last season and at the Triple-A level for both systems Spent three years with the Braves (95-97), going 19-5 and making 191 relief appearances Worked in an NL-high 81 games in '96, helping Atlanta to a World Series Championship. CATCHERS 5 STEVE BIESER Bom: 8467. HtWt: 5-10180. BT: LR. Residence: St.

Genevieve, Mo. 1998 stats: .258. 1 HR, 25 RBI, 13 SB Career stats (minors): .270, 5 HR, 187 RBI. Notes: Played second base and outfield for the Sounds last season in addition to catcher Spent July with the Pirates (.273, 1 RBI in 1 3 games) Played with the Mets during part of 1997. making his major league debut after eight minor league seasons.

26 TIM LAKER Bom: 112769. HtWt 6-3200. BT: RR. a Residence: Smi valley, Calif. 1998 stats: .305, 23 HR, 62 RBI.

Career stats (majors): .222, 4 HR, 34 RBI. Notes: Joined the Sounds in July last season (.355, 11 HR, 34 RBI in 44 games), after opting for free agency from the Devil Rays organization Spent September with the Pirates Obtained in a trade with the Dodgers last week Previously in Orioles and Expos systems Played in '94 Tnpte-AAJ-Star Game at Greer Stadium. 27 CHRIS TREMIE Bom: 101769. HtWt 64215. BT: RR.

Residence: New Waveriy, Texas. 1998 stats: .224, 0 HR, 12 RBI. Career stats (minors): .208, 7 HR, 1 36 RBI. Notes: Spent last season with Class AAA Oklahoma (Rangers) before being called up in mid-September Had two hits the second game of a June 27 doubleheader with Nashville to push his average to a season-high 254 Played for the Sounds '95 and 96 as a White Sox minor leaguer. Bv MAURICE PATTON Sports Writer 35 DARRYL BRINKLEY Bom: 122368.

HtWt 5-10205. BT: RR. Residence: Stamford, Conn. 1998 stats: .355. 9 HR, 51 RBI.

Career stats (minors): .321. 61 HR. Notes: Led the Sounds and was second in the Pacific Coast League in hitting last season Was ich Sauveur knows there's life after baseball. He's just not quite ready to enter care of business where you are and let the chips fall." Signed to a minor league contract by Pittsburgh last May after he was released from the Cincinnati system, Sauveur responded with 46 bullpen appearances for the Sounds, going 14 with a 1.81 earned run average and 10 saves. "We mainly matched him up against the opponent's best lefty bat," Jewett said.

"That's something he's capable of doing, not only at this level but at the next level as well. I think he showed this spring he's capable of doing that." Magazine picks Sounds again Some people don't team. Last year, Baseball America tabbed the Nashville Sounds as the best team in minor league baseball. Coming off a 67-76 performance, the Sounds have again earned that dubious honor from the twice-monthly magazine. The Pirates are expected to return almost the same cast to their Tripte-A affiliate this season, and because they don't want to rush those players, most will spend all season with the Sounds," reads an article in the current issue of BA.

That's enough assurance for us." Four of the players that weighed heavily in the evaluation, though, will not open the season with Nashville. Pitcher Kris Benson and second baseman Warren Morris are both slated to start for Pittsburgh, while shortstop Abraham Nunez is also with the team and first baseman Ron Wright isatClassAAAItoona MAURICE PATTON that stage. "This past year, I said I was done," the 35-year-old reliever said as he gets ready to open the season with the Nashville Sounds. "I've said it every year for the last five years. But I'm here again." Unfortunately for Sauveur, "here" is the minor leagues where he has spent at least a portion of each of his previous 16 professional campaigns.

Lack of opportunity, lack of performance, lack of a overpowering fastball (pick one, or any combination) have prevented the Virginia native from staying in the major leagues for any extended period of time. Being lefthand-ed, being able to Sauveur showed the Pirate brass enough during spring training to stay in the major league camp until the last weekend of March, when the decision was made to keep Scott Sauerbeck and Jeff Wallace and assign Sauveur to after major league rosters expand from 25 to 40 players," he admitted. "I was a little bitter and I decided I was ready to give it up, that I was ready to start coaching. But the Pirates wanted me to play one more year, and when I told them what I wanted to come back, they said OK" Obviously, he didn't get what he wanted most to open the year in the majors for the first time in his career. But he had a shot.

"You always want to go to big league camp," he said. "If I knew for sure I was going to be in Triple-A from the beginning of spring training, that wouldn't be any fun. "But when you go to Triple-A, you're still fighting for a job, or at least I was. I'm either going to make a Triple-A team or I'm going to get released. "But I had a chance to make the Pirates, Getting sent down late like that hurts.

With Jeff Tabaka hurt, I thought I had a chance. But Sauerbeck and Wallace both threw well. There's nothing you can do about it when they throw well except come down here and throw well yourself." Sauveur isn't the only member of the Sounds that faces an uphill battle to get to the majors guys that have either real or perceived shortcomings that make them fine for Class AAA play, but a little short of the ultimate goal. "We all talk about it, but there's nothing any of us can do but sit back, do the best job we can do for the team and ourselves, and see what happens," he said. "Maybe I'll start coaching next year." 7 -S-f also second in at-bats (372), third in doubles (23) and RBI and fourth in runs (57) Played overseas in Holland and Italy, and in the independent Northern and Prairie leagues before signing with Toronto in '95.

14 EMIL BROWN Bom: 122974. HtWt 6-2192. BT: RR. Residence: Chicago, IN. 1 1998 stats: .325, 14 HR, 70 RBI, 24 SB.

Career stats (minors): 288, 30 HR, 195 RBI. HR, 6 RBI) as a Rule draftee from the Athletics organization Hit .330 at Class AA Carolina last season and earned Double-A All-Star honors Finished the season at Pittsburgh (256 in 1 3 games) Never played above Class A before '97. 3 CHAD HERMANSEN Bom: 91077. HtWt: 6-2185. BT: RR.

Residence: Henderson, Nev. 1998 stats: .258. 28 HR, 78 RBI, 21 SB. Career stats (minors): .269. 81 HR.

Notes: Has finally found a position after seeing time at shortstop and second base during his career Homered in four straight games last May, including a 2-HR game Had two four-hit games in August. 17 RAY MONTGOMERY Bom: 8870. HtWt 6-3225. BT: RR. Residence: Peariand, Texas.

1998 stats: .292, 9 HR, 45 RBI. Career stats (minors): 274. 81 HR. Notes: Batted .325 with 18 RBI in April '98 for Class AAA New Orleans Went two-for-five in six games with Astros In June Also spent parts of '96 and '97 with Houston Played in '96 Triple-A All-Star Game Has played in just 130 games over the last two seasons. COACHING STAFF 44 MANAGER TRENT JEWETT 35 years old Led Sounds to a 67-76 finish in his fourth Class AAA campaign last year Won Arizona Fall League division title as Mesa manager in 1996 Carolina in 1995, finished 89-55 to claim Southern League title Former catcher in Pittsburgh chain.

15HrmNG COACH RICHIE HEBNER 51 years old Sounds batted .271 under his tutelage last season Played 11 seasons with the Pirates ('68-76, '82-83) over an 18-year major league career Member of the 1971 World Championship team Spent three seasons as Boston's hitting coach ('89-91 i 68 PITCHING COACH BRUCE TANNER 37 years old Instrumental in '98 aetopmertt of Kris Benson, the Pirates' No. 4 starter Team finished year with a 4 98 earned run average Went 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA with the White Sox in 1985 Also played In Athletics, Giants and Padres' systems. COMPILED BY MAURICE PATTON SAUVEUR Shake 'em up Coming off a season in which they underwent 123 roster moves, the Sounds are already busy before playing their first game. Reliever Mike Garcia was assigned to Mexico City yesterday, making room for minor league free agent signee Brad Ctontz. Garcia had been signed by the Pirates after spending the past three years in Taiwan.

Prior to his overseas stint, he played two seasons in the Mexican League. Ctontz, who broke into the majors with the Atlanta Braves, was released by Boston during spring training after signing with the Red Sox during the offseason. He opened last season with Los Angeles, and went to the Mets along with Hideo Nomo in a June trade that sent pitchers Greg McMicnael and Dave Mlicki west. Because the Sounds had not begun regular season play, Ctontz will be considered a member of the opening day roster and the transactions wil not be counted in the team's total moves. MAURICE PATTON throw the ball over the plate a large majority of the time and being tough against lefthand-ed hitters has kept him on the fringe of "the show" with seven organizations over the last 10 years and earned him major league time with five different teams.

"Success is easily attained for some," Nashville Manager Trent Jewett said. "For the vast majority, it's extremely difficult. Rich has been to the majors and I'm sure he wants to get back. "He's pursuing it because in his mind he's capable of competing at the major league level. But you have to take Nashville.

"There's always somebody younger, that throws harder, somebody they think they can teach to throw strikes," Sauveur said. "I can throw strikes, but they think they can teach the younger hard-throwers." Now in his third stint with the Pittsburgh organization, Sauveur nearly closed the book on his playing career last fall after probably putting together one of the best campaigns of his career. "I was a little upset when they didn't call me up in September at the conclusion of the Sounds season and BATTING ORDER 1 SOUTHEAST DIVISION Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals) Nashville Sounds (Pirates) New Orleans Zephyrs (Astros) Oklahoma Redhawks (Rangers) MIDWEST DIVISION Albuquerque Dukes (Dodgers) Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies) Iowa Cubs (Cubs) Omaha Golden Spikes (Royals) WEST DIVISION Fresno Grizzlies (Giants) Las Vegas Stars (Padres) Salt Lake Buzz (Twins) Tucson Sidewinders (D-backs) Probable barling order for Nashville's season opener tonight at 6 against Edmonton: Player Pos Chad Emil Brown RF NORTHWEST DIVISION Calgary Cannons (Martins) Edmonton Trappers (Angels) Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners) Vancouver Canucks (Athletics) Aramis Ramirez 3B Ivan Cruz 1B Tim Laker Darryl Brinkley LF Mike Robertson Doug Strange 2B Kevin Pofcovch SS MHHHHMI 3 LTUl 1 I WEE 1 1 I 1 2 ill 211 3 I 4 OMA OMA MEM MEM 12 7 7:05 7:05 1 TAC 3 TAC 9:05 2 LV 9:05 1 LV 3:05 3 LV 9:05 5 SLK 7 6 SLK 7 TAC CGY 9:05 SLK 7 9:05 10 6 EDM 4 CGY 9:051 3 CGY 9:05 VAN 2 8 SLK 5 VAN 5 8 MEM MEM 705 7:05 TAC TAC CGY I 3:35 EDM 8:05 EDM! 8:05 1 VAN 7 FRE 7 VAN! 12! I ill ill io EDM EDM EDM i Bj 7j rT ri2 rT3 pH pis' pis' rrr EDM CGY CGY CGY OKL OKL 2j SJ 1 1 7:05 1 1 7:05 18 I 19 I 21 I 221 I 24 OKL CSP CSP CSP CSP SLK 8LK 2:051 8:05 5:05 8:05, 7 2 r-1 rw ss mii 71 71 7 11 18' 11 12 IS 171 17 21 191 10 otd 1 OKL 14 ALB 7 13 OKL 7 ill sir 5i si si rue tuc prrr mem mem 7 I 12 4 7 I 6 I 7 I r9 I 10 I ill I 12 mem! ia ia ia ia OKL 4j 1 1 3:30 7:15 7:15 7:15 raT I Till is I tell i7 I ipii OKL OKL NO NO NO 1 1 2j I 7 I 7 7 20 I 2Tj I 221 23 r24l I 25 I 28 NO TUC TUC TUC TUC VAN 4 1 1 9 30 I 9:30 30; 9:30 9:05 27 I 28 I 29 30 VAN VAN VAN TAC 3:30) 9:05 9:05 9:05 1 18 OMA 12:05 20 OMA 7:05 TAC MEM MEM FRE OMA ALL-STAR BREAK OKL 7 ALB! I OMA 7:05 OKL 7:05 81 5 7:05 1 22 IS 23 25 28 21 NO 16 ALB 4 ALB 22 NO 7:05 22 OKL 7:05 ALB 24 OKL 7:05 26 NO 7:05 27 NO 7:05 MEM NO OKL 7:05 7 8j 4 7:05 19 20 NO NO 7:05 7:05 RS 27 LV MEM 71 7:05 GETTINQ TO GREER STADHJM, 1-65 to exit 81 rVecevrood) to 69i Avenue and turn right Take 8th to Chestnut and turn right Balpark is straight ahead on tie lefl TICKET INFORMATION Box seats: $8 adult, $7 chid. General admission: $5 adutt, $4 cNtd For details on Hctets: Cal 242-4371 or visit www.nasrMttesouncte.corn 29 24 ALB 23 ALB 25 ALB 28 MEM 30 MEM 31 OMA 28 FRE 9:05 26 1 fre! 9:05 27 FRE 9:05 29 MEM 7:05 31 LV 9:05 30 OMA 6 29 NO 7:05 1 FRE 9:05 6 31 301 TUCJ AWAYl iPOUBLE header I.