Be patient, Royal fans. The world champs are historically slow starters. Said manager Dick Howser as the team opened camp: ”We were a very mediocre team in spring training and for the first half of last season. We always are.”
Although several teams tried over the winter to pry a pitcher away from Kansas City in exchange for some hitting, Howser said he isn`t anxious to let any pitchers go. ”Pitching was our strength. I don`t think we`re willing to do that right now.”
CALIFORNIA ANGELS
DATELINE: MESA, ARIZ.
Utility man Darrell Miller`s progress as a catcher remained a focal point of interest Monday. Miller, a catcher in college and early in his pro career before being switched to the outfield, is back behind the plate as the Angels search for a back-up catcher. Besides 38-year-old Bob Boone, pressed into catching 150 games last season, the only other catcher on California`s roster is Jerry Narron, valued more as a left-handed pinch-hitter.
Miller spent part of the off-season in the Venezuelan League getting a refresher course in catching.
”I haven`t heard anything unfavorable,” said manager Gene Mauch. ”But he`s going through the Bob Boone catching school this spring.”
OAKLAND A`S
DATELINE: PHOENIX
Despite having an inexperienced pitching staff, manager Jackie Moore said Monday he likes what he sees. ”We really are in a better situation this year,” Moore said. ”Last year, we really had a lot of open spots. I feel we`ve come a long way on our mound, and we`ve really put ourselves in position to do some good things.”
Moore said he already has four starters in mind: Joaquin Andujar, Chris Codiroli, Tim Birtsas and Jose Rijo. Fighting for the fifth spot will be Bill Krueger, Curt Young, Rick Langford, Eric Plunk, Don Cooper and Derrell Akerfelds.
MINNESOTA TWINS
DATELINE: ORLANDO
Shortstop Roy Smalley and outfielder Mark Funderburk worked overtime Monday, staying on the field following the team`s regular practice. The 34-year-old Smalley, who hit .258 in 129 games last season, is trying to convince manager Ray Miller this spring that he should start at shortstop. Funderburk hit 34 home runs at Double A Orlando last season and batted .314 with two homers for Minnesota in 23 games. He is trying to gain a spot on the team as a right-handed designated hitter.
SEATTLE MARINERS
DATELINE: TEMPE, ARIZ.
Former White Sox pitcher Salome Barojas was invited and then uninvited to Seattle`s spring training. Originally on the list of players to be invited, Barojas was mysteriously scratched. He remains in Mexico. Said a member of the Mariners` media relations office: ”They didn`t go into the reasons, but he sort of received a noninvitation.”
Perhaps that`s what happens when you`re 0-5 with a 5.27 earned run average, as Barojas was last year.
TEXAS RANGERS
DATELINE: POMPANO BEACH, FLA.
Catcher Don Slaught, who recently signed a three-year contract for $1.3 million, could have interpreted the signing of free-agent catcher Darrell Porter as a threat. Instead, he views it positively. Said Slaught: ”I`m happy they signed him. He can help me. He`s been around. Bobby (Valentine, Texas manager) told me the maximum I would catch was 135 games. There should be plenty of room for Darrell.” Slaught hit .280 last year.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
DATELINE: MIAMI
Second baseman Alan Wiggins reported to training camp three days early Monday, saying he felt he would benefit from the extra work. Wiggins, who hit .285 and stole 30 bases in 76 games last year, was the third regular to report early. He joined shortstop Cal Ripken and left-fielder Mike Young.
”Spring training will give me a chance to get used to everybody and the way the Orioles do things,” said Wiggins, who came to the team from San Diego last July after the Padres refused to take him back after drug treatment.
BOSTON RED SOX
DATELINE: WINTER HAVEN, FLA.
Right-hander Bruce Kison, 36, called an impromptu news conference Monday to announce his retirement, citing shoulder problems that might have originated with a brawl. Kison suffered neck and collarbone injuries after a fight with Toronto`s George Bell last June. Those injuries may have contributed to the strain on his pitching shoulder.
”Perhaps the best thing to do is bow out gracefully and retire at this time,” said Kison, who will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a small tear in his rotator cuff. The 13-year veteran, who was 5-3 last year, felt pain in his shoulder when he started throwing in California in January. His retirement leaves the Red Sox with 17 pitchers in camp.
CLEVELAND INDIANS DATELINE: TUCSON
The Indians may sign 37-year-old Jim Kern, who pitched only 11 innings for the Brewers last season. ”We have talked to him,” said Indians` general manager Joe Klein. ”I just finished a scouting trip from Florida to Arlington, Tex. I saw Kern pitch twice in Arlington and he`s throwing the ball very well.”
Kern pitched for the Indians from 1974-1978. He also has played for Texas, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and the White Sox.
”Kern is throwing the ball 90 miles an hour again,” said Alan Hendricks, Kern`s agent. ”We`ve just got to get together with the Indians.” The signing of Kern would give the Indians 24 pitchers in camp.
DETROIT TIGERS
DATELINE: LAKELAND, FLA.
All is forgiven, said reliever Willie Hernandez as the Tigers` pitchers and catchers arrived in camp. Detroit fans got down on Hernandez last year, particularly during a stretch when he blew six leads in 10 games in August.
”I wanted them to remember I`m only human. The fans got down on me so I got down on them,” said Hernandez, the American League Cy Young winner in 1984. ”I want to try to make up to our fans for last year.”
Now that Aurelio Lopez is gone, Hernandez will be joined in the bullpen by Bill Campbell, Chuck Cary and Randy O`Neal.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS DATELINE: CHANDLER, ARIZ.
In June, 1983, Juan Nieves was featured in Sports Illustrated as the pitcher everybody wanted. The Brewers got him, and the 21-year-old compiled a 33-9 record in his fast climb through the minors.
Nieves doesn`t have to win a job in the starting rotation. Manager George Bamberger already has named Nieves his third starter. ”He`s won everywhere he`s been. You could say he`s another Dwight Gooden, but that wouldn`t be fair,” said Bamberger, who can`t be blamed for dreaming.
NEW YORK YANKEES
DATELINE: FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.
Left-handed relievers Rod Scurry and Al Holland, who may be fighting for the same spot on the pitching staff, will have to shed some weight, said Yankee manager Lou Piniella. ”But I`m not concerned. There`s plenty of time,” said Piniella, who has ordered extra running and stationary bicycle exercise for them. Piniella wants Holland, who weighs 227 pounds, to be 210 to 215. Scurry, who said he pitched at 196 last year, weighs 205.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
DATELINE: DUNEDIN, FLA.
With the retirement of Al Oliver, the Jays are left with veteran Cliff Johnson and youngster Cecil Fielder as possible designated hitters. The moody Johnson, who changed his mind about demanding a trade, didn`t exactly receive a ringing vote of confidence from Blue Jay vice president Pat Gillick, who said, ”At this point, like it or not, we`ve got him.”
