St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 62

FEB 2 5 (fflLconVsports p-L. 1 D14 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SPORTS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2001 SSEBMifflSlER Bonilla can look back, eveif as he tries to focus forward In the wake of the richest deal in spends time trying to be just one sports, A-Rod of the guys -x I i BY THE NUMBERS 7 Number of Houston Astros big-league players coming off surgery. 23 Ryan Dempster's age. That probably will make him the youngest Opening-Day starter in the big leagues this year, since the Marlins plan on Dempster to start for them April 2 in the first game of the regular season.

i CHRIS LEE POST-DISPATCH-' Outfielder Bobby Bonilla chats with first baseman Mark McGwire whil 4 waiting for batting practice on Friday in Jupiter, Fla. was cool then," he said. "But then Brady Anderson hits 50 (for Baltimore) in 1996. That's Rippley's Believe It Or Not. And Mark McGwire hits 70.

tremendous thing, but that's almost taken for The main reason for the power influx, said Bonilla, is that hitters merely are stronger. They are more athletic than ever before. "I will put this game up against any in professional sports, per' athlete, per team," Bonilla said. Bonilla will be a part-time player with the Cardinals, able to play either corner position in the outfield, some third and some first. At least that's what manag- er Tony La Russa hopes.

1 Bonilla expects to mostly pinch-hit and play the outfield. In his 15 previous seasons "-'-his first manager was La Russa with the Chicago White Sox in 1986 Bonilla has been an- All- Star six times. There is but one regret in Bonilla's career, he said. 1 "The Gold Glove every once in -a while passes through my mind," he said. "I've taken a lot'' of abuse (for defense)." Bonilla; a natural outfielder, was moved to1 third base by Pittsburgh and then Florida manager Jim Leyland, where he wasn't as proficient.

1 field fence in Yankee Stadium to gather in a fly ball hit by a Yankees player that was about to be caught by a Baltimore outfielder. The resulting home run gave the Yankees the win, evened the series and sent them on their way to a 4-1 series victory. The Yankees then won the first of their four world titles in the past five years. "The 1996 Baltimore team was a tremendous hitting team, the best-hitting team I ever played on," Bonilla said. "If we catch a break, we're in the World Series.

We didn't catch that break. The Yankees did. That little kid did a helluva job. If the kid doesn't catch the ball, we leave New York two up." Bonilla has seen major change in the game, notably that every lineup seems to be a power lineup. "Every hitter from one to eight has to hit a home run," he said.

"Before, you showed up if you hit 15 homers. Now, you've got to hit 30 to show up. Heck, you hit 30 and you might not even be a platoon player. You're not playing." "You've got to hit 40 before they say, 'We'll look at Bonilla, who was exaggerating slightly, twice hit more than 30 homers in a season. "I thought it Compiled by Mike Eisenbath Of the Post-Dispatch Alex Rodriguez is doing all he can to make people remember that he's just a ballplayer trying to help the Texas Rangers win games and not a player who will collect more than a quarter-billion dollars the next 10 seasons.

"On a personal level," he said in his first spring training press conference, "it's all relative." Whether he makes $25 million a year or $1 million, that's still more money than almost any fan buying tickets to the games. That doesn't make it any easier or more difficult to hit a fastball or win a World Series. "When I signed with the Mariners at 17 and got my first $17 million, I thought I was the most overpaid kid in the world," Rodriguez said. "Last year at $4 million, I thought I was overpaid. "I don't know if Michael Jordan, Bill Gates, Alexander the Great I don't think anyone is worth this kind of money.

But this is the marketplace we're in. It's the money Mr. Tom) Hicks chose to pay me, and now it's time to go out and pay him back with a few championships." Ultimately, Rodriguez knows that whatever he does on a personal level won't justify his salary. Only helping bring a championship to the Rangers would give him a chance to do that. To his credit, he's willing to accept that burden.

"There's this 252 tag over my head," Rodriguez said. "But I enjoy the responsibility." The Brave Sheffield? The Dodgers clearly are shopping outfielder Gary Sheffield. And the Atlanta Braves are interested. Manager Bobby Cox called a possible trade for Sheffield intriguing, since "he's one of the most highly thought-of hitters in baseball." "I keep myself open but this is very early in the whole process," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "Ordinarily, it's 10 games into the (spring) season before we've had a chance to see how pieces fit and what adjustments need to be made on the roster." Schuerholz knows it wouldn't be an easy deal.

The Dodgers would want someone such as catcher Javy Lopez in return, and that's not likely. And with a bunch of money already tied up in Brian Jordan, J. Surhoff and An-druw Jones, the Braves would have to make some room, although Jordan often has been mentioned as trade bait. Focusing on Oakland The Yankees, who have won four of the last five World Series, have looked back at their championship run of last October and realized they might have been fortunate to win in the first round of the playoffs against Oakland. "The only thing they lacked was some speed," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

"Now with (newcomer) Johnny Damon, that'll help give them an extra dimension. They have good, young arms and tough kids. (Manager) Artie Howe has done a hell of a job over there." Just the facts White Sox slugger Frank Thomas had two years and $14 million remaining on his contract after the 1997 season. That's when he signed an extension of seven years, for $66.7. He made $7.1 million last year and will make $9.93 million this year.

But he's not happy, in particular with the way he stacks up against other highest-paid players in baseball. Not ranking in the top 30 players on the money list, Thomas has decided to skip a couple of days of camp in protest. "I'm not trying to get out of" the contract, Thomas said. "I don't want it redone, just add some money to it." His dissatisfaction aside, Thomas impressed everyone with his physical preparation when he appeared in the spring- training clubhouse. He shed eight pounds during the offseason, putting his weight at 269 pounds, and prompted Sox manager Jerry Manuel to say Thomas was in better --shape than any of the three years pitcher Brian Anderson said.

Brenly said his short list of demands boil down to one: Get it done. The team has been finishing workouts by 12:30 p.m. each day. That's about hours earlier than under Showalter. Focus on Florida Manager John Boles doesn't want his young Florida Marlins to wilt now that folks in baseball expect them not only to finish with a winning record but perhaps challenge for a playoff spot.

Charles Johnson, returning to catcher for the Marlins after spending time with several other clubs, thinks the team's youth will keep a collapse from happening. "I sense a good vibe in here," he said. "I sense a lot of excitement, a lot of guys who are loose and eager to play. Very different from a veteran clubhouse like Baltimore. There's a young energy here Sometimes (expectations) can be overwhelming, if you're always pressing because of it.

But I believe Boles can handle that. He's one of those guys who makes sure you always come out and play hard." The Marlins surely prefer these expectations over the ones that followed their 108-loss season in 1998. Rumor mill Outfielder Tim Salmon has one year remaining on his contract. He and the Angels have started talking about a new long-term deal, since Salmon, 32, has decided he wants to spend the rest of his career in Anaheim An in- fielder in the minors but outfielder and DH in the majors, Dante Bichette has been told by Red Sox coaches to take some ground balls at first base Mark McLemore was the defensive anchor and clubhouse leader as Seattle's second baseman last year. So he wasn't happy when the Mariners signed free-agent second baseman Bret Boone.

McLemore has asked for a trade Rick Helling, who has a 5-1 record and 2.77 ERA in his career against Toronto, apparently will be Texas' opening day starter against the Blue Jays when the teams meet April 1 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Luis Rivas is only 21 and has played only 16 big-league games, all late last season, but the Twins figure starting second base job is his to lose. Hit and run Manny Ramirez has played only right field, both in the minors and with the Cleveland Indians, since they drafted him a decade ago. But the Boston Red Sox will use him in left field, which means some adjustment considering he'll be playing in front of the Green Monster at Fenway Park. Ramirez says he won't argue with manager Jimy Williams' decision.

That probably means left fielder Troy O'Leary will be traded. The Minnesota have signed five of their young pitchers Brad Radke, LaTroy Hawkins, Eric Milton, Bob Wells and Eddie Guardado to multi-year contracts during the last 13 months. That quintet will make a combined $14.1 million this season. Injuries: Nate Rofison, a first base prospect in the Marlins system, was Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year when he had 23 homers and a .330 average last "season. He might have challenged for playing time in the big leauges but is recovering from a broken right hand suffered this winter.

White Sox pitcher James Baldwin only is able to play long toss as he continues his comeback from October shoulder surgery. He thinks he'll be ready for opening day. The Sox aren't counting on it The Baltimore Orioles expected prospect Luis Rivera to contend for a spot in the rotation. But he is moving slowly because of a stiff shoulder. Former Cardinals pitcher Ken Hill, who has been a starting pitcher for all 12 years of his pro career, sent out feelers to almost every major-league team.

His only offer came from Tampa Bay, with which he signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to make the big-league club as a reliever. Closer Roberto Hernandez has asked Royals manager Tony Muser to give him 18 appearances in the team's 31 spring exhibition games. Some information was contributed by writers from other cities and The Associated Press. By Rick Hummel Of the Post-Dispatch JUPITER, Fla. Bobby Bonilla, the Cardinals' oldest player, celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday.

Bonilla believes he has a season or two left in those bones. But even if he didn't, he has a decade of memories. The last decade belonged to Bonilla as the only player who reached the postseason with five different clubs. In 1990-91, Bonilla played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who lost the National League pennant to first Cincinnati and then Atlanta. In 1996, he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles, who lost the American League pennant to the New York Yankees.

In 1997, Bonilla was a member of the world champion Florida Marlins. In 1999, he was a little-used member of the National League runner-up New York Mets and last year, Bonilla played for the Atlanta Braves team that was eliminated by the Cardinals in the divisional playoffs. Now, possibly headed for a playoff appearance with a sixth club, Bonilla reminisced Saturday about all the winners he has played for. His favorite, not necessarily the best, was Florida. "They're all good," he said of the clubs.

"To make the postseason, you have to be pretty good." But the Marlins, a wild-card team, provided his best memory because they became world champions. "That's the highest pinnacle of sports you can get," Bonilla said. "That was the epitome of what teamwork is all about. Except for our big star, Gary Sheffield, that was the single greatest teamwork involved. It was like we didn't know who won the MVP (Livan Hernandez) because we had so many guys do so many little things." While all his other clubs ultimately lost, Bonilla said the most frustrating defeat was in 1996 when Baltimore lost to the New York Yankees in a five-game series on which a momentum switch was exacted by 12-year-old Jeffrey Meier.

Meier reached over the right- Hennanson is slated By Rick Hummel Of the Post-Dispatch JUPITER, Fla. It hasn't been announced officially, but newcomer Dustin Hermanson easily one of the most impressive arms in camp the first 10 days will make the Cardinals' first exhibition start of the season Friday here against the Baltimore Orioles. Hermanson, 12-14 with four saves last year with Montreal, has this simple work ethic: "If somebody else is working hard, it's going to make me work even harder." A closer when he was signed by San Diego, Hermanson has been starting for just four seasons all with Montreal. He said he would prefer starting, but what if Matt Morris and Alan Benes both return to previous form, to go with Darryl Kile, Andy Benes and Rick Ankiel let alone injured Garrett Stephenson? Hermanson, theoretically, could become a closer or co-closer with Dave Veres, who had 29 saves last year. Righthander Andy Benes is throwing easily after having had offseason knee surgery.

Benes side-to-side movement is not quite what it will be, but Benes explained, "The first priority at the start of spring training is not in covering first base." La Russa was among the managers who attended a gathering of umpires last week in Palm Beach, Gardens, Fla. The session, to be repeated several times elsewhere in spring camps, was set up by Sandy Alderson of the commissioner's office. Alderson was general manager in Oakland when La Russa won three consecutive American League championships. "By the coincidence of personal experience, if you give Sandy Alderson a responsibility, something's going to happen," said La Russa. "He's not going to take anything lightly.

"That's why he was so good at making deals. He didn't lie to anybody, and he didn't play to start in Cards' first exhibition game 121 Credentials given by the Seattle Mariners to members of the Japanese media to cover new Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. SAY THAT AGAIN From veteran Mariners reliever Norm Chariton, after watching equally veteran Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez work out at camp: "First time I ever saw fossils move. From Dodgers GM Kevin Malone, who guaranteed a World Series berth for his team two years ago but since has been told to hold such predictions: "A lot of people have misread my enthusiasm and excitement. From Red Sox center fielder Carl Everett, responding to public criticism from several teammates last year: "Any time something is discussed in-house and you go outside the house, you're not a family.

You're on the other team." From new Braves first baseman Rico Brogna: "When (Andres Galarraga) signed with Texas, I didn't sleep much that night. I asked my agent, 'How much do the Braves want me to pay to come and play for I wanted to play for them so badly. You kind of envy them when you watch from the other side." he has been around the club. Hip with the Orioles Look for some ugliness ahead between Albert Belle and the Baltimore Orioles. Belle's degenerative hip condition didn't prevent him from passing a physical last week, clearing the way for him to participate in spring workouts.

But he is at least 15 pounds overweight, limped noticeably when running and looked winded during batting practice. The Orioles are going to let Belle prove whether he is up to playing and thus collecting on the $39 million he is owed on the last three years of his contract. If he can't, an insurance policy will cover about 70 percent of that salary. But Belle, who insists he will be ready to play considerably this year, could file a grievance with the players' union if he and the Orioles don't see eye to eye. "If his condition is such that he should not be playing baseball because of his health then he ought to retire," owner Peter Ange-los said.

"If he can't produce at (an optimum) level, the only recourse would be for him to retire to prevent further injury to himself. "But I'm not making that judgment. I don't make those judgments. That is for our manager, our vice president of baseball operations and our medical staff to make." Less is more? The Arizona Diamondbacks hated playing for fired manager Buck Showalter in part because he had so many rules. Credit new manager Bob Brenly for knowing how to make a good first impression with his club.

At his first meeting with his new players, Brenly held a thick set of Showalter's rules, dropped them with a thud to the floor and pulled out his rules. "I think he wrote his notes down on a cocktail napkin," Sunday, but Renteria said h'e would be able to take ground i. balls for the first time. Stephenson, who has a nagging elbow condition, had a conversa- tion with La Russa before Satur- day's workout, and La Russa did-'' n't come away enthused. 0 "He's worried and I said La Russa, who said Stephen- son seemed resigned to surgery.

I "That's a pretty tough resigria-' tion." The Cardinals will have three more days of regular drills before they play two intrasquad games on both Wednesday and Thursday. I George Kissell, who has been in the Cardinals' organization for more than 60 years, is in charge, as usual, of the pitchers' bunting drills this spring. Coach Jose I Oquendo wouldn't say Kissell was old, but he said, "Remember in the Bible, that guy who built the boat?" A 1 Noah? "Yeah, that's the one. Kissell. was the one organizing the ani-f mals to load them onto the Former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight has been a visitor to camp the past couple of days.

But Knight might not be here to assist La Russa in managing spring games as he did last i year when he and former football coach Bill Parcells sat alongside1' La Russa on the sidelines. i games. General manager Walt Jocketty also was at the meeting. "It was informative, very direct and very well presented," Jocketty said. "When you've done things one way for 100 years, sometimes it's tough to change." The effects are still to be determined, but Jocketty said, "I think you're going to see quicker games, but I don't know if there will be lower-scoring games or not." Dr.

Ken Yamaguchi of the Cardinals' medical staff assisted in administering the camp physicals. One player who caught his eye was 21 -year-old third baseman Albert Pujols, a top prospect in the Cardinals' system. "He was the most impressive physical specimen I saw," Yamaguchi said. "He was like a rock." Newcomer Bobby Bonilla is equally amazed. "This kid is hitting balls with (Mark) McGwire, and he's only two years out of high school," Bonilla said.

When recently retired Will Clark came into camp last week as a guest instructor, Mike Matheny, who yielded his No. 22 to Clark last year only to get it back, donned a jersey with the number 22B, with the 'B' taped on, in deference to Clark. Reliever Mike James has adopted a cleaner look this season. "That was the haircut he got for his (salary) arbitration hearing," joked Bob Gebhard, Jocketty's assistant. "Then we didn't have the hearing.

That's probably the last haircut he'll get all year." Besides the arm ailments to righthander Stephenson and left-handed reliever Jason Christiansen, a couple of other players are afflicted with minor ailments. Third baseman Craig Paquette has been bothered by a strain in his side, and shortstop Edgar Renteria has had a twinge in his back. Paquette won't be able to hit on During one game with Balby'j more, manager Mike Hargrove rolled a ball from his dugout'toV the Cardinals' dugout with the in-' scription, "With that we don't have a chance." Knight said he picked up the1 -ball and then sent another one to-J ward the Baltimore dugout. This'1 one read, "The Jets didn't win the Super Bowl and my team (elimi-1 nated from the NCAA) isn't play-' ing on TV tonight, so don't worry." 1 It- Slugger Mark McGwire will be' coming to your TV screen soon on a Direct TV commercial he filmed at Roger Dean Stadium1 here Friday. 'j 'l.