The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 52

4C THE PALM BEACH POST TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1996 Baseball Marlins Notes Marlins play actors for a day 'I Uncertainty part of game for Powell 0 Jay Powell's a closer on a team that already has Robb Nen. And Powell -r knows a setup when he sees one. By DAN GRAZIANO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer vcj? MELBOURNE Jay Powell knows he has if. future in baseball. He's just not sure where.

He's at the Florida Marlins' spring training camp with a decent shot to make the team. But even if he5 does, he won't get to do what he really wants. Powell is a relief pitcher, which would seem to set him up nicely here, where the only open job is in the( bullpen. But Powell also is a specific type of relief pitcher a closer. And the Marlins have Robb Nefl.

"This is the first spring training I've ever beeno where I had a chance to make the club," Powell said. "But if the only spot is as a spot starter or long reliever, I'm probably out." The Marlins like Powell, a hard-throwing right- hander who saved 24 games, struck out 53 and walked just 15 in 53 innings for Class AA Portland last year. But they've made a commitment to the major-league level. Unless the 26-year-old blows it, the 24-year-old Powell will have to elsewhere for a job as a big-league closer. "He's another great arm," manager Rene Laches mann said.

"Whenever you're able to have that many good arms, you have to be thankful." Florida got Powell in a Dec. 6, 1994, trade with the Orioles for Bret Barberie. In Baltimore's minor league system, he compiled a 7-9 record with a 4.89 ERA in 32 games, 26 of which were starts. But his high-90s fastball coupled with his goo4 control (116 strikeouts and 67 walks in 1993 and 1994) had the Marlins thinking potential. After his year in Portland, and after he gave up one earned ru in SVi innings with the big club in September, th Marlins are thinking big-time potential.

"If he gets his job done, there will definitely be a place for him on a major-league pitching staff," Lachemann said. "Whether as a closer here whatever." The "whatever" is the interesting part. Powell is a widely acknowledged talent, but there might not a place for him in the Marlins' future. There's no talk' of a trade among people in the organization. After Powell hasn't proved himself beyond AA.

But if he winds up at AAA Charlotte this year and saves 24 Baltimore Orioles Recuperating pitchers Alan Mills and Arthur Rhodes, both of whom have had shoulder surgery, will pitch intrasquad games this week, but it to be seen if they will be on the staff opening day. "Other than (Mike) Mussina, the Mother guys are going to be jockeying for position," manager Davey Johnson said. Boston Red Sox Jose Canseco was back at camp after missing one day because of a "legal" problem. "I hope I don't have to miss any more time," Canseco said. "It was no big deal." California Angels DH Chili Davis is in 5 camp, looking fit and ready to hit.

Said Davis, i whose arrival was delayed while he attended to j. personal business: "I took up a new hobby, mountain biking. I gave up cigarettes and 'dipping and cut back on my alcohol intake Why? I'm getting old." Cleveland Indians Knowing his role puts Jose Mesa at ease. "I know a lot of people are thinking that I may have been a flash in the pan," said Mesa, who saved 46 games, including his first 38. "But I think they'll be seeing me pitch the way I did last year for a long During the Caribbean World Series this winter, he was clocked at 97-98 mph.

Kansas City Royals Kevin Appier, who began last season 1 1-2 with a 2.04 ERA before "finishing at 15-10, 3.89, calls sportswriters in I the press box to make sure they understood his 'quotes. "It's important to me," Appier said. "I think, 'Oh, what if they look at it from this Milwaukee Brewers A March 22 deadline was set for the Brewers to come up with financing for their $90 million share of a jjiew stadium or face suspension of a five-county isales tax that is providing money for the project. The tax took effect Jan. 1 in five counties for bond sales that will cover 1 60 million of the cost of the $250 million ballpark.

The Brewers' share was expected to include a $50 million loan from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic -Development Authority, but the Brewers said they don't have enough collateral to back it. Minnesota Twins Rick Aguilera, back in the rotation after seven years of relieving, will start Thursday against the Japanese Olympic All-Star team. New York Yankees Today's intrasquad may be the most anticipated one in recent team history. It's also the most important two innings Dwight Gooden and Jimmy Key have faced since their first major-league training camp. Key hasn't been in a game situation since May 16.

That was his last outing before 1 I lH By DAN GRAZIANO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer MELBOURNE The Florida Marlins' spring training clubhouse, usually buzzing an hour before the start of workouts, was almost empty at 10 a.m. Monday. Most of the players were already out on the field. No, they weren't working out early. They were doing TV.

WBFS-33, which broadcasts Marlins games, was shooting promotional ads Monday morning, and about a dozen Marlins had to take part. They didn't seem thrilled. The spots are quick with each player saying one brief line to the camera. But they often took several takes, and the allotted hour was not nearly enough time to get all the spots taped. Robb Nen's line was "It's a 98-mile-an-hour fastball," and each time he stumbled over it, it drew a roar from his teammates in the dugout.

Most of the them wanted Nen to push the number higher. "Give 'em 100!" yelled Jeff Conine. Conine and Andre Dawson had a line together, which was, "It's the heart of the game." But Dawson had a better suggestion for his own line: "I'm baaaaack," he said. Two more signings: The Marlins signed pitchers Matt Man-tei and Antonio Alfonseca to one-year contracts, leaving the team with six unsigned players on the 40-man roster. Starting Saturday, the Marlins can renew contracts unilaterally, with the option to reduce them by up to 20 percent.

UNI game lineup: Manager Rene Lachemann said the Marlins' starting lineup will start against the University of Miami on Wednesday and that each player will get at least one at-bat. The lineup is Quilvio Veras, Devon White, Gary Sheffield, Jeff Conine, Greg Colbrunn, Terry Pendleton, Charles Johnson and Kurt Abbott. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Early Anguish VERO BEACH Even in spring training a pitcher hates to give up a hit, as the Dodgers' Hideo Nomo shows during Monday's workout at Holman Stadium. Undergoing shoulder surgery. Gooden has been suspended since June 1994 for violating baseball's substance abuse aftercare program.

Oakland Athletics The cost-cutting by new owners has left the A's regarded in the Bay Area as something of a joke. But that not the case, says veteran catcher Terry Steinbach. "It. 'got off on the wrong foot," Steinbach said. ''People are automatically going to assume the worst.

The thing is, you have to look back on mine games uieie, ins vaiue wuuiu increase. "Obviously, I'd rather be setting up here thai closing in Charlotte," Powell said. "I think whal they're trying to do is put it in my hands." He's been through this before. When the Orioles' drafted him, they already had Gregg Olson closing games. Their reaction was to try to turn him into 8 starter, but that didn't work.

"Things have a way of working themselves outl he said. "This may be my last year with the Marlins) or I may be here 20 years. If I spend 10 years as the setup guy for Robbie, then I've got 10 years in the big leagues. And that's not so bad." rx Darrell Whitmore will start at DH. Injury update: First basemanoutfielder Russ Morman is day-to-day because of back spasms.

RHP Wilson Heredia has a sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow, but it is not severe. Heredia will not throw for at least five to seven days. fl Sell-A-Thon: The Marlins are hoping a Friday night "Sell-A-Thon" during the broadcast of their first spring training game will help increase ticket sales. Broad-castes calling the game on WBFS-33 and radio stations WQAM-560AM and WCMQ-1210AM will promote ticket sales, and fans will be able to call in during the game and order tickets. L.what was and then put it behind you." Texas Rangers The two key pitchers in '96 are Darren Oliver and Roger Pavlik.

If the Rangers can keep Oliver patched together, pitching coach Dick Bosman said, they will have fa pitcher "who would be well above .500." Pavlik has had difficulty in putting together two consecutive injury-free seasons or building upon success he had the previous year. Expos i'r UM'Mtil JJAl JJrmd-TiTiVI' i Cincinnati Reds Signed free-agent catcher Joe Oliver to a one-year contract worth including incentives. Oliver, 30, spent parts of six major-league seasons in 1 Cincinnati before being released in 1994. He played for Milwaukee last year, hitting .273 with lv 12 homers and 51 RBI in 97 games. Colorado Rockies Palm Beach Gardens' Dante Bichette will use a three-day 2 break from spring training to get batting tips from Hall of Famer Ted Williams.

Bichette left I the Rockies' camp on Sunday and flew to i Florida. He, Barry Bonds, Albert Belle and Edgar Martinez are to be honored for their 1995 performances at the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame in Hernando. Bichette anticipated a small group session with Williams. II wz LUnstead, he was startled to learn that he would ALLEN EYESTONEStaff Photographer Tyler Houston gets some pointers from Braves third-base coach Jimy Williams during practice Moni day. Houston is hoping to make the Braves as the third catcher.

One spot one last chance; "Have a one-on-one session at Williams' home. 'This jS one of the more special moments of my career because this guy, simply put, was the Igreatest hitter ever," Bichette said. 1-) Philadelphia Phillies Mark Whiten, who twill open the season in right field, is 29 now the time when he should be entering his prime. Whiten, who came to the Phillies from the Red Sox in a mid-season trade last year, hit 1 1 homers in 60 games with Philadelphia. "In Boston, if you weren't hot, you weren't playing," said.

"They never give you an opportunity to come out of a hole unless you're Mo Vaughn or Jose Canseco. Then you could hit .180 and play for an eternity." Pittsburgh Pirates A surprise is that right-hander John Ericks has been all but promised a turn in the rotation despite his 1 -8 record and 5. 14 ERA in 15 games after the All-vStar break last season. "It doesn't mean Out of options, catcher Tyler Houston tries to stick with the Braves. 'Nasty' pitching delights Alou 6-7 Derek Aucoin attracts a lot of attention with his 90-mph fastball.

By ED PRICE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer WEST PALM BEACH Derek Aucoin made a big 6-foot-7, 235 pounds and 90-plus mph big impression Monday. Montreal hitters took live batting practice off Expos pitchers for the first time Monday at West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium. Aucoin attracted the most attention for a number of reasons. Aucoin grew up near Montreal, making him a natural focus for the visiting media. And he made his first strong impression just recently, tying for the saves lead in the Arizona Fall League.

Facing top prospects from other organizations, Aucoin struck out 28 and allowed 15 hits in 23 innings. "He's some kind of nasty," manager Felipe Alou said. "I can't wait for the games because of that one guy to see what the reaction is from major-league hitters." Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan has worked with Aucoin on his mechanics, especially hoping to cut down on his delivery time to make it harder for runners to steal. "He did it today without thinking about it," Kerrigan said. "We're trying to get his body going in one direction, toward the plate.

On the scope of a pitching coach dealing with a pitcher, it's a real minor thing." Alou said Aucoin, who spent 1993 with the West Palm Beach Expos, has a chance to make the team as a set-up man or long reliever and not just because he would be a local favorite. "He could be from Kingston," Alou said. "He's got great stuff." Ahead of the game: Pedro Martinez will start Montreal's Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Braves. Alou said that Martinez didn't coast at all after pitching in the Dominican winter league and then the Caribbean World Series, which ended Feb. 8.

"He's somebody who is ready to start the season today," Alou said. "All three pitches were nasty today." Jeff Fassero is scheduled to start Sunday against the Braves. The Expos will play an intrasquad game on the back field Friday. Left-wingers: Montreal seems set to go north with four left-handers Fassero, Carlos Perez, Rheal Cormier and Kirk Rueter and Alou doesn't seem to mind. "Those are the best we have," he said.

"It just happened that way." The surplus shouldn't be a problem, since all four have different styles. Fassero's best pitch is a slider, Cormier features a curveball, Perez has a forkball and Rueter is a control specialist. Braves anything, Ericks said. "I still feel I have to make this team. Maybe it my history, my past, I'll never take anything for granted." fl St.

Louis Cardinals Will retire Red Schoendienst's No. 2 on May 11. Schoendienst, 73, has been a Cardinals player, 1 coach and manager. In 100 years the team has retired the numbers of only six others Stan Musial (6), Ken Boyer (14), Dizzy Dean (17), Lou Brock (20), Bob Gibson (45) and owner August Busch Jr. (85).

"I don't know why it wasn't 'done before because he certainly deserves it," GM Walt Jocketty said. "It's long overdue." By ED PRICE Palm Beach Post Staff Writer WEST PALM BEACH Six times Tyler Houston has come to major-league spring training. Those times, he never heard a word. "If they don't say anything, you don't "really have a chance," Houston said Monday at West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium. This time, the Atlanta Braves that is, manager Bobby Cox have spoken to Houston, telling him he has a chance to make this team.lt is his first real opportunity to play in Atlanta, and it may be his last.

Houston, 24, could come out of March as the team's third catcher. One bench spot is open with Houston and infielder Ed Giovan-ola the top candidates. The extra wrinkle is that Houston is out of options. If Atlanta wants to send him down, he must clear waivers. Any team that claims him must also get him through waivers to send him down.

There's a good chance that someone, somewhere will want to keep a left-handed-hitting catcher who can play third and first base. For now, Houston concen- (in the minors)," Cox said. "I don't think he ever got (playing infield) out of his mind. He's a good? looking catcher, he just never really hit until the last couple of years. On a lot of clubs he could be the No.

2 (catcher) because of his dei fense." Houston admits he is feeling the pressure of making the team." "If I could have last year's spring this year, I'd make the team," he said. "Last year I wad relaxed, just came in and per formed. starting to get my swing. I've been here a week and a hajf mostly catching pitchers, not gefe ting as many cuts as I'd like." But at least they're talking to him this year. Noteworthy: Jason Schmidt will start the Braves' Grapefhrir League opener against the Mets at? West Palm Beach Municipal Stadn urn on Friday.

Greg Maddux will follow against the Expos on Satur day, with the pattern set to allow, Maddux to pitch the season open? er against the Giants in Atlanta on April 1. Carl Schutz, a left-handec who pitched in Class AA last sea son, will start against the Univer sity of Georgia on Thursday. JO San Diego Padres Tony Gwynn's urates on making the Braves. With the lineup set and the bench already versatile, Cox is looking for "a guy who can hit the ball" for the 25th man. Javy Lopez is the starting catcher and Eddie Perez his backup, but Cox said he was willing to take a third along, if he's the best pinch-hitting candidate.

For Houston, getting to this point had taken longer than most people expected. He was the No. 2 pick in the 1989 draft after Ben McDonald and before Frank Thomas (eighth) and Mo Vaughn (23rd) but developed slowly. He was moved to catcher, a position he had played only as a high school sophomore. "It's just not something you jump into," he said.

"One, physically feeling comfortable, and two, dealing with the game and feeling mentally confident." Cox was general manager when the Braves drafted Houston as a third baseman out of high school. "He never had any big years territory in right field at Jack Murphy Stadium 'mioht he undergoing some chances soon. The Padres are working on plans to remove the 8- foot-2-inch inner fence in nght field and install an out-of-town scoreboard on the 17-foot-high concrete wall. San Francisco Giants Right fielder Glenallen Hill, who has been slowed this spring by tendinitis in his upper-left hamstring, is again throwing, fielding and taking some cuts in the tatting cage. "I felt good out there.

No problems," Hill said. POST WIRE REPORTS.