The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page C5

5 40 30 20 10 5 TennesseanBroadsheet Master TemplateRevised 1 10100 HQRn II 40 30 20 10 5 10 20 30 40 TennesseanBroadsheet Master Temp lateRevised 110100 5 MO 20 Lo Lo lllllll TJ5e6ed yna OVIAI www.tennessean.com THE TENNESSEAN Thursday, April 8, 2004 5C BASEBALL Sounds 2004 schedule Play ball! A quick glance at all things Sounds as they prepare to make their 2004 Pacific Coast League season debut at home tonight. Aaron doesn't drop hammer on historic HR Blasted No. 7 1 5 30 years ago tonight The lineup Probable starters for tonight's season opener vs. Colorado Springs, with 2003 statistics: HR RBI 2. Career home run leaders Through Tuesday (x-active) Player No.

1 Hank Aaron 755 2. Babe Ruth 714 3. Willie Mays 660 4. x-Barry Bonds 659 5. Frank Robinson 586 6.

Mark McGwire 583 7. Harmon Killebrew 573 8. Reggie Jackson 563 RF-AndyAbad (AAA-PawtucketRed Sox) 0 1B- Carlos Rivera (NashvillePirates) 4f LF Tony Alvarez (Nashville) 8 3B Chris Truby A (AAA-Durham LHP Dave Williams 7-4, 4.19, 56 Ks (Nashville) Cory Stewart 12-7, 3.72, 133 Ks (AA-Mobile) Sean Burnett 14-6, 3.21 86 Ks (AA-Altoona) J- rhpjl Figueroa 3.04, 144 Ks (NashvillePirates) VanBenschotenl 3-6, 3.17, 127 Ks (A-LynchburgAA-Altoona) Greer Stadium Opened: 1 978 (Nashville Sounds, then AA affiliate of Cincinatti Reds; now AAA affiliate of Pittsburgh Pirates) Ballpark dimensions: By PAUL NEWBERRY Associated Press ATLANTA Thirty years later, Hank Aaron is a bit fuzzy on the pitch Al Downing threw that night in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. "Downing was more of a finesse pitcher," Aaron said. "I guess he was trying to throw me a screwball or something.

Whatever it was, I got enough of it." As the ball sailed over the left-field fence, the Hammer trotted into history, passing the Babe as the greatest home-run hitter. No. 715. It's a figure that still resonates as one of sport's magical milestones. Aaron would go on to hit 40 more homers before he retired in 1976.

While 755 is the target that Barry Bonds chases, it was 715 struck against Downing and the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8, 1974 that stands as the seminal moment for Aaron. Aaron spent most of his 23-year career with the Braves, first in Milwaukee, then in Atlanta. The team will honor the 30th anniversary tonight before its game against the New York Mets. "Oh, it really doesn't seem like it's been 30 years," Aaron said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Time really creeps away from you, doesn't it?" He's 70 now, a landmark reached a couple of months ago, accompanied by reminders of his advancing years.

Four of his seven siblings have died. Another is crippled by a stroke. Aaron had to give up tennis because of creaky knees. But he still leaves the house almost every day at 5:30 a.m., heading to Turner Field for an hourlong workout. He enjoys a round of golf (as long as the cart is included).

He looks fit and happy, a successful businessman who owns a car dealership and 17 Krispy Kreme doughnut shops. "That's why I work out every day," he joked. Aaron doesn't spend much time watching baseball on TV "I don't need some announcer to tell me if it's a fastball or a curvebaU" but he enjoys going to the ballpark Watson's Hot Tub Deck a. CF Ruben Mateo (AAA-LouisvilleReds) SS Tomas de la Rosa (Nashville) 2B Terry Shumpert (AA-Orlando Devil Rays) Manager Trent Jewett Pitching coach Darold Knowles Hitting coach Jeff Livesey Keith McDonald V. (AAA-Iowa) Sluggers Sports Bar Grill (atop the press box) Getting there Child Wgehii Ave.

CO oo A rJi 1 Downtown I Nelson 14-6, John Liner Diner mm Right field Center field Left field 327 400 327 Lumber Liquidators picnic area Blue picnic area Smoking is permitted at areas located on the concourse and behind sections LL-OO. Individual ticket prices Xp5Vr-r-LVvKKSVr, APRIL 8 Colo. Springs 7:00 9 Colo. Springs 7:00 10 Colo. Springs 6:00 11 Colo.

Springs 2:00 12 at Albuquerque 8:11 13 at Albuquerque 8:11 14 at Albuquerque 8:11 15 at Albuquerque 1:05 16 at Colo. Springs 7:05 17 at Colo. Springs (DH) 2:35 18 at Colo. Springs 2:35 20 Albuquerque 7:00 21 Albuquerque Noon 22 Albuquerque 7:00 23 Albuquerque 7:00 24 Oklahoma 6:00 25 Oklahoma 2:00 26 Oklahoma 7:00 27 Oklahoma 10:30 29 at New Orleans 7:05 30 at New Orleans 7:05 MAY I at New Orleans 6:05 2 at New Orleans 2:35 3 Memphis 7:00 4 Memphis 7:00 5 Memphis Noon 6 Memphis 7:00 7 at Oklahoma 7:05 8 at Oklahoma 7:05 9 at Oklahoma 2:05 10 at Oklahoma 12:05 II Tacoma 7:00 12 Tacoma Noon 13 Tacoma 7:00 14 Tacoma 7:00 15 Portland 6:00 16 Portland 2:00 17 Portland 7:00 18 Portland 7:00 20 at Sacramento 9:05 21 at Sacramento 9:05 22 at Sacramento 9:05 23 at Sacramento 3:05 24 at Fresno 9:05 25 at Fresno 9:05 26 at Fresno 9:05 27 at Fresno 9:05 28 Colo. Springs 7:00 29 Colo.

Springs 6:00 30 Colo. Springs 6:00 31 Colo. Springs 2:00 JUNE I Iowa 7:00 2 Iowa Noon 3 Iowa 7:00 4 Iowa 7:00 5 at New Orleans 6:05 6 at New Orleans 5:05 7 at New Orleans 7:05 8 at New Orleans 1 2:05 10 at Albuquerque 8:11 II at Albuquerque 8:11 12 at Albuquerque 8:11 13 at Albuquerque 7:05 14 Omaha 7:00 15 Omaha 7:00 16 Omaha Noon 17 Omaha 7:00 18 Albuquerque 7:00 19 Albuquerque(DH) 6:00 20 Albuquerque 6:00 22 at Iowa 7:05 23 at Iowa 7:05 24 at Iowa 7:05 25 at Iowa 7:05 26 at Colo. Springs 8:05 27 at Colo. Springs 7:05 28 at Colo.

Springs 8:05 29 at Colo. Springs 8:05 JULY I New Orleans 7:00 2 New Orleans 7:00 3 New Orleans 6:00 4 at Memphis 6:35 5 at Memphis 7:05 6 at Memphis 7:05 7 at Memphis 1:05 8 Omaha 7:00 9 Omaha 7:00 10 Omaha 6:00 II Omaha 6:00 14 Triple-A All-Star Game (Pawtucket, R.I.) 15 at Omaha 7:05 16 at Omaha 7:05 17 at Omaha 6:05 18 at Omaha 1:35 19 Iowa 7:00 20 Iowa 7:00 21 Iowa 7:00 22 Iowa 7:00 23 at Oklahoma 7:05 24 at Oklahoma 7:05 25 at Oklahoma 2:05 26 at Oklahoma 7:05 27 Salt Lake 7:00 28 Salt Lake 7:00 29 Salt Lake 7:00 30 Salt Lake 7:00 31 Edmonton 6:00 AUGUST 1 Edmonton 6:00 2 Edmonton 7:00 3 Edmonton 7:00 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 Tucson 9:00 Tucson 9:00 Tucson 9:00 Tucson 9:00 Las Vegas 9:10 Las Vegas (DH) 8:05 Las Vegas 9:10 7:00 14 Memphis (DH) 6:00 15 Memphis 6:00 17 at Iowa 7:05 18 at Iowa 7:05 19 at Iowa 7:05 20 at Iowa 7:05 21 Oklahoma 6:00 22 Oklahoma 6:00 23 Oklahoma 7:00 24 Oklahoma 7:00 25 New Orleans 7:00 26 New Orleans 7:00 27 New Orleans 7:00 28 New Orleans 6:00 29 New Orleans 6:00 30 at Omaha 7:05 31 at Omaha 7:05 SEPTEMBER 1 at Omaha 7:05 2 at Omaha 7:05 3 at Memphis 7:05 4 at Memphis 6:05 5 at Memphis 6:35 6 at Memphis 1:05 a.m. All times Central Dates and times subject to change Sounds: Alvarez hopes for solid year "I think I'll be better because I've got one more year of experience," said Alvarez, who overcame an early hamstring injury to hit .298. "I think I'll be able to help in the leadoff position try to improve my stolen bases, get on base and get in scoring position. I think it'll be important for me to do that for those guys behind me to get the RBI." In his first year at Triple-A, Rivera had a solid start for the Sounds before he was called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates last June 22 and remained in the majors for the rest of the season.

With nine home runs here and three for the Pirates, he projects as one of the team's double-digit sluggers this time around. "We've got some guys that can hit the ball, that have been around and know what to do," he said. "I feel ready to put numbers up and play hard, play every day." Although Jewett's offensive approach tends to be an aggressive one, he concedes he'll have to alter that style for this team. "I'm not going to manage this team like last year's," he said. "We've got different personalities, different traits, different talents.

But hopefully the result will be the same or better, since we didn't win it all." Maurice Patton covers the Nashville Sounds for The Tennessean. He can be reached at 259-8018 or mopattontennessean.com. Aaron: Steroids wouldn't taint Bonds N. Greer IV Stadium I I Location Adult senior Lower Reserved (A-V) $10 $9 Upper Reserved (HH-SS) $8 $7 General Admission $6 $5 A child is an individual under 12 years old. A senior is an individual 65 years and older.

NEW YORK- Hank Aaron's admiration for Barry Bonds won't be tarnished if it's proven that the San Francisco slugger used steroids, baseball's all-time home run king told The New York Times in a story for yesterday's editions. Aaron said he would "let the public judge for themselves," whether Bonds' records should be tainted. "I'm just hoping and praying nothing comes up," Aaron said. "I admire Barry Bonds. Steroids or He went to see Pedro Martinez pitch.

Ditto for Randy Johnson. Aaron's role with the Braves senior vice president and assistant to the president is largely ceremonial, but that hasn't stopped him from speaking out on some of the game's most pressing issues. He's against putting Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame. He wants baseball to adopt a tougher drug-testing policy. He called for more blacks in upper management.

He doesn't believe the New York Yankees are assured of a championship just because they spend more. "I don't think it's good for the game, but I don't think it guarantees a winner, either," Aaron said. "All those guys they got are used to being the star on their ballclub. They're used to hitting home runs and seeing their name in lights." If someone breaks Aaron's record, he plans to be there to shake their hand. "It wouldn't matter to me one bit," he said.

"The athletes today, most of them, are much more superior collectively to when I was playing. They're bigger. They're stronger. They're healthier." Aaron never hit more than 47 homers, but he reached 20 for 20 consecutive seasons. He won a batting title and averaged just 63 strikeouts a year.

He led the National League in homers and RBI four times each. Not that Aaron wouldn't have been a success in any era. "I may not have hit 70 homers in a season," he said, "but I would have been up there." no steroids, he would have had a Hall of Fame career." Bonds is fourth on the career list with 659 home runs, one behind Willie Mays. After Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record, he went on to finish with 755 career homers. "Barry Bonds has done everything hit home runs, steal bases, hit for average.

He's practically carried his ballclub on his back," Aaron said. ASSOCIATED PRESS Mauer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 amateur draft, tore medial meniscus cartilage and will have arthroscopic surgery. "With a catcher, you're a little concerned about the wear and tear, so we're going to take a conservative approach," General Manager Terry Ryan said. "This is sad, because he's a talented kid with his head screwed on straight." The Twins are left with two catchers: veteran Henry Blanco, a career .219 hitter, and Matthew LeCroy, the team's primary designated hitter.

Mauer, a 20-year-old from St. Paul, was hurt sliding in an attempt to catch a foul ball behind the plate in the top of the third inning of Tuesday's game against Cleveland. Transactions: The Detroit Tigers placed designated hitter Dmitri Young on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right leg. Young is expected to miss up to six weeks after breaking a bone in his lower leg while dropping to the ground in a failed effort to avoid a tag. The Kansas City Royals put infielder Desi Relaford with a strained hamstring on the 15-day disabled list and called up left-hander Jaime Cerda from Triple-A Omaha.

Batting practice: Frank Thomas fouled off 13 pitches, including 12 in a row, before drawing a walk off Kansas City's Darrell May in the first inning yesterday. May threw 35 pitches in the inning. ASSOCIATED PRESS inside pitch Wedgewood Ave. Braves' Franco becomes oldest hitter in 11 years Premier seats l-R Premium seats A-V Regular seats HH-SS I General Admission Hamton Ave. KENT TRAVIS STAFF XT DAVICBON Map areaj-p -'-5 What fans need to know Gates open two hours before all games.

Giveaways are for the first 2,000 fans through the gates. Children 2 and under enter free. Kids may run the bases after the game. Parking is free. No food or beverages may be brought into the ballpark.

Smoking is prohibited in seating areas. Special giveaways Children 2 and under are free, provided they do not occupy a seat. Ticket prices include tax. First Tennessee Family Fun Pack $40 4 best-available seats 4 hot dogs 4 soft drinks 1 "25 off" coupon redeemable on one item at the souvenir stand Box Office Hours Monday-Friday 9 AM to 6 PM Saturday 1 0 AM to 2 PM Sunday Closed Phone: 242-4371 The box office will remain open until the conclusion of all home games. Daily promotions Piggly-Wiggly Mondays Fans who present a Piggly Wiggly receipt will receive a buy-one-get-one ticket offer.

GooGoo Tuesdays 2-for-1 Fans can present a UPC symbol from a Goo Goo six pack for a two-for-one deal on tickets for the Tuesday games. Guaranteed Win Wednesdays The Nashville Sounds guarantee that they will win the game on Guaranteed Win Day. If the Sounds don't win, everyone in the stadium will receive a voucher for a free ticket to any other game of the season based on availability. Peter Piper Wednesdays Receive a buy-one ticket get one ticket free offer with proof of purchase. Harris Teeter VIC Card Thursdays Fans who present their Harris Teeter VIC card will receive a buy-one-get-one ticket offer.

Thirsty Thursdays $1 soft drinks and draft beers until the end of the fifth inning of every home game. Fireworks Fridays and Saturdays Firework shows following every Saturday home game, and every Friday home game after Memorial Day (excluding 72). Kids Club Sundays Members of the Kids Club will receive free admission to all Kids Club games. The first 2,000 fans will receive a premium item on the selected dates, unless otherwise noted. Saturday, April 10 (Harris TeeterDry Con magnet schedules) 1 0,000 magnet schedules Saturday, April 24 (First Tennessee T-Shirts) Saturday, May 15 (Cracker Barrel baseballs) Friday, May 28 (Academy Sports and Outdoors baseball card team sets) Saturday, May 29 (First Tennessee Sounds Julio Franco's latest milestone caught him by surprise.

The Atlanta Braves' 45-year-old first baseman became the oldest non-pitcher to play in a major league game since Carlton Fisk in 1 993, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, when he went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's opener against the New York Mets. "I wasn't aware of that," Franco said yesterday. "You know why? Because I don't feel old." Franco is about a month older than Fisk was when he took the field for the final time for the Chicago White Sox. Fisk caught 25 games in 1993. Franco made his debut in 1982 with the Philadelphia Phillies at 23, and won the AL batting title in 1991 with the Texas Rangers.

Since signing with the Braves in 2001 he has platooned at first base and served as a pinch-hitter. "He's probably in the best shape of anybody in this clubhouse," Atlanta left fielder Chipper Jones said. "When he walks in and gets dressed, you take one look at him and you're like, 'Holy Franco is now the oldest player in the majors. Reliever Jesse Orosco had held that distinction, but he retired last winter after pitching at 46. Twins catcher injured: Minnesota Twins rookie catcher Joe Mauer went on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a sprained left knee, and will be out about a month.

commemorative prints) Friday, June 4 (Donelson Air Conditioning Moses Bible Bobbleheads) Saturday, June 19 (Advanced Auto Parts Aramis Ramirez figurines) Friday, July 2 (Piggly Wiggly Tike Redman figurines) Saturday, July 3 (First Tennessee flag baseballs) Friday, July 9 (Advanced Auto Parts Skeeter Barnes figurines) Friday, July 30 (Donelson Air Conditioning Samson Bible Bobbleheads) Saturday, July 31 (First Tennessee baseball piggy banks) Friday, August 13th (Spiritual Outdoor Adventures bibles) Saturday, Aug. 21 (First Tennessee Sulphur Dell replica stadiums) Friday, Aug. 27 (Donelson Air Conditioning Noah Bible Bobbleheads).