The Home Plate Press

Opening Remarks

First of all, I can speak for everyone in wishing our best to John Meyer. Thanks for your volunteer work as league trade reporter over the last several seasons and for being a considerate participant in the league. You will be missed and we hope to see you again once the kids are off in college! Goodbye also to Steve Martin, a truly wild-and-crazy guy, and Glenn Foreman.

The three newcomers are Larry Langellier (Seattle), David Squires (Kansas City), and Shan Wu (Minnesota). Their email and snail mail addresses and phone numbers are all available online. Welcome to the MBL!

The Commissioner's Statement of Purpose

Be certain you are aware of the deadlines to send automanagers to your opponents in the correct format (DH/non-DH). Being late on occasion is not a problem IF YOU HAVE NOTIFED YOUR OPPONENT BEFOREHAND (see "No Suprises," above). If you are late and fail to provide advance warning, the home manager is authorized to play the series using an automanager supplied by the league. I will fine owners that are repeatedly late with automanagers, especially if no attempt was made to notify the home manager in advance.

The league is currently plagued by computer problems, some of which will likely be repetitive. If you, at any time, are suffering through communications problems that inhibit your ability to live up to your duties as an owner, call another member of the league as soon as possible so that he can broadcast your status to everyone. Computer problems are certainly an excuse for tardiness, but we can more efficiently work around them when we know you are not answering your mail because you cannot access it! USE THE PHONE!

The New Home Plate Press --- What to Expect

Important Rules Changes for 1996

• Hitters with over 450 at bats will be limited by the number of games in which they appeared; others will be limited by their actual at bats. The definition of an unlimited player remains unchanged.
• Pitchers with an ERA over 5.90 are unlimited in their use subject to the restrictions noted in the League Guide.
• Timely submission of statistics (STS files) to Bob earns you $3.25 Million, a total earning potential of $39 Million over the course of the season. Each article you write will earn you $750,000. If you write the maximum six articles and submit your statistics on time, you will earn $43.5 Million.
• The 35-Man Roster: This roster limit is in effect AT ALL TIMES except during the draft. In other words, if your franchise has a hot rookie you want to see on your team, protect him. If a major league player is traded away, he immediately becomes the property of the recipient ML franchise and associated MBL team regardless of with which team his Diamond Dreams rookie card is issued.
• Waiver Claims: Claims will now be done twice a month. When submitting claims, be certain you rank your choices or the league trade reporter will do so for you. Salaries of players claimed off waivers will be prorated by the half-month, i.e. statistics reporting period.
• There will be no minimum usage requirement to retain rights to a player (the Use 'Em Or Lose 'Em rule).

The 1995 Playoffs

John Meyer's Mets and Craig Christmann's Expos will square off in the Connie Mack League Championship Series soon. The MBL will pay half the cost of the phone call between them during the series, as it did for Jack and Bob. The winner will then play Bob's Dodgers, again with the league paying half of the associated expenses.

The Baltimore Orioles are looking forward with glee to the offseason. As Paul Quantrill said, "Hey, we're shit but we've been paid, why not spend it and enjoy it". This pretty much sums up the spirit of the team, coming off a twelve game home stand in which they could only manage three wins. The despicable Royals cheated their way to yet another series success against the hapless Orioles, and Marge was reportedly out of control in her suite. Cito Gaston is reportedly relishing the chance to view some of the minor league scrubs in September, as a number of Oriole fan favorites (okay, a number of Orioles who aren't booed very loudly) may not be back next year. With a team ERA approaching 5.00 and a team batting average hovering around .250, there doesn't seem to be much hope for September. Marge Schott has decided to offer free admission for the Orioles' September home games, as the ballpark was becoming rather eerie with "all those damned homeless people and poor scum" sleeping under the seats. One was reported in serious condition after being hit by one of the many long balls given up by Orioles pitching.

The team closed out its disappointing season on a high note, recovering from a 13-9 deficit in the bottom of the ninth to beat Oakland in extra innings, 14-13 in the final home game of the season. Five hundred loyal fans were able to see Danny Bautista knock in the winning run for the scrubs, a fitting finish to a pitiful season. At 64-95 the Orioles are in contention for a good draft pick, though there are serious doubts that the front office is capable of taking advantage of it. Apart from Paul Quantrill, the picks from last year's draft were mostly missing in action, and those still with the team are likely to find themselves unemployed in the coming weeks. Castilla was the offensive player of the year, and Quantrill the pitcher of the year, but there was really nothing much to crow about with the team batting average at about .250, and the team ERA near 5.00. Marge Schott is threatening to cut the payroll even further, and Gaston's job may be in jeopardy. The few remaining Orioles fans can only pray that the '97 season has little in common with this one.
---Nathaniel Bailey

As I am about to leave England and as the Houston Astros' performance at home this month is scarcely worth mentioning amd we are too far removed from last season to continue to shamelessly gloat as we have been in this column since the end of the season, I thought I'd make a few reflections on that very English cousin of baseball; that is to say cricket.

Now the first thing to mention about cricket, in terms of its total insuitability for America is the lack of opportunity for commercials provided by it. Unless you are willing to simply ignore 2 minutes of the "action" the only breaks are at lunchtime and teatime. The game is currently played seriously only in England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Austrailia, New Zealand, and South Africa. There are two different brands, one days and tests. Tests are lugubrious events. All 11 players on a side will get a chance to bat in each of two innings which take place over 4 days. The goal is to hit the ball and not let it hit the stumps behind you called a wicket. If the ball hits the wicket or is cought in the air by a fielder you are out. Also, if you block a ball with your body which the umpire declares would have hit a stump you are also out. When the ball is hit, the batter and his partner who is positioned at the opposite stump decide if they can run from one stump to the other before the fielders can get the ball back to the stump to hit it. This is called being run out, but happens infrequently because the fielders throw like girls and the runners are very conservative.

Each time the batter crosses the opposing stump line a run is scored. If the batted ball goes beyond the boundary of the field on the roll it counts for 4 runs. If the ball goes over on the fly it is worth six. In test cricket, there is no limit to the number of balls a batter can face, so he often just blocks many aside before choosing one to strike. The goal is preserving one's wicket (not making out). There are obviously some on the team who are batting specialists and counted on to make the majority of the runs. Most of the pitching specialists are poor batters, but there are some players called all arounders who are good at both.

One-day cricket I actually find quite interesting and potentially exciting. Each team has 50 "overs" consisting of 6 balls each in which to bat. The players therefore have an urgency to score runs and seem to take more chances than in test cricket. The individual batting scores tend to be lower but the scores per ball are much higher.

Finally the bowlers- there are basically two types, seamers and spinners. The former take a long run up to their line and fire the ball, aiming to land on the ground in front of the batter, getting a bounce and necessitating a half-volley in reply. The spinners also need a bounce to induce the ball spinning in various directions to confound the batter. They look like they would be far easier to hit. Only one fielder, the wicket-keeper, gets to wear a glove. He usually stands right behind the batter and functions like a catcher. Fractured fingers are the norm in this game.

Currently the world 1 day champions are Sri Lanka who beat Austrailia for the title. In test cricket, Austrailia is regarded as the best team with South Africa and the West Indies the next best. England, which invented the game, has a distinct lack of superstars at present. The best batsmen around are Brian Lara from the West Indes and Tendulkar of India. Lara is the only batsman I've seen who looks like he has the smooth, natural swing of a baseball player. The best bowlers are a trio of South African fast bowlers and an Austailian spinner named Shane Warne.

Back in the MBL, as of August the Astros continued to hover around .500, staying in the division race but not really threatening the Padres or Giants. It has been somewhat of a humbling year following the excitement of last season's world series title. Injuries to Jeff Bagwell and especially Kenny Lofton who has been in and out of the lineup as well as inconsistent pitching have made any hopes of repeating slim. As the year winds down, assessment of progress centers on the changes at third base and in right field. Neither Brian Jordan nor Ken Caminiti have put together the kinds of seasons Mike Hargrove imagined for them. Defensively they've been solid; however, as run producers they've failed to match the stats of last year's equivalents.

One encouraging note has been the performance as emergency starters of Darryl Kile, Jeff Juden, and Dave Burba. After injuries to Paul Wagner, Ben MacDonald, and Butch Henry all three have outperformed their counterparts. Henry's injury is serious enough hat he will be sidelined all of next season.

As September rolls around, call-ups are due which means we'll be seeing several new Astros. Relievers Armondo Benitez and Matt Mantei will get recalled as will swingman Tim Davis and starters Clint Sodowsky and possibly Ryan Bowen. John Hudek will be back from a rehab assignment. Offensively, the only additions will be Roberto Petagine, who has seen roster time when Jeff Bagwell went down, and former overall #1 pick Phil Nevin.

Moving to the major leagues- does anybody els think the fate of the Pirates is sad. It's one thing to dump downsiders like Hayes, Darwin, Zeile, Incaviglia, etc., but Neagle is young enough to have led a Pirate renaissance. Maybe I'm wrong, but I sthink it would be a disaster for a team like the Pirates who have been in that town since Honus Wagner to have to bolt. What about revenue sharing?

Over the offseason, the Astros will be looking for a left fielder, some bullpen help, and (possibly) a DH. As always, all offers will be considered. Only Lofton, Bagwell, and Billy Wagner should be considered untouchable.
---Rich Polin

I grew up in New York. Real New York. Not upstate. Not Queens. Not Jersey. Midtown Manhattan, a block south of Central Park. All you Jersey guys are rolling your eyes, but in your hearts you know I am barred by the unwritten laws of my hallowed home city from espousing any other view. Like I would have any other view...ya, right! Anyway, as I was saying, I grew up right next to Central Park. I practically took up summer residence. I was what we regulars to the ballfields would call a "park bum". We all had homes, somewhere, but who would know.

My friend Pete Glaze and I took our softball very seriously. We were, of course, going to be in the Majors one day so we would come to Heckshire Fields at eight in the morning during summer vacation. Every day we'd warm up for the nine o'clock game, talk about the Yankees (Pete's team) and the Mets (mine) as we prepared for a full day of softball.

Around eight that evening the Italian Ice guy would leave as the last games would end. We park bums weren't through. A coupla older guys (you know, twenty-five, 30 years old. Really old!) would hit fungos into the outfield and we would happily chase down fly after fly while working on our styles. A long run was good. A diving catch was far better. I would actually go to sleep-a deep, full sleep-covered in dirt after a full day of tossing my lanky body at towering shots and liners in the gap. I don't like dirt, but I love Baseball Field Dirt (almost as much as Baseball Glove Leather). You know, I never got hurt in those days. Sigh.

Every summer we bought a permit from the city for field five. Sunday at 11am. My old friends still do. I was one of the better players so I often got to be a manager and choose up sides. I always tried to pick my best friends and my brother. Theron didn't play often or particularly well, but I usually took him. Of course. I knew he would play hard and we'd laugh a lot. I tried to make Baseball one of our bonding things, you know how brothers are.

Theron was like John Candy or John Beluchi. At 6'5" and 250 he was a big lovable bear. Because we were brilliant, or obnoxious, we would always try to top each other with jokes or outrageous behavior. Theron did not share with Pete and I our respectful attitude tward The Game Of Baseball. Therefore, we clashed. Actually, he had a healthy disrespect for pretty much any institution. As do I. But, Baseball is sacred to me and thus target number one for Theron. I would like to tell you my favorite Baseball/over-the-top brother story. Hey, you've come this far, why turn back now.

This story takes place around 1980. That summer I turned twenty-one and my brother, later 20. Theron was playing first base which is my position. I then played third even though I'm left-handed (hey, I was the manager, I could do what ever I wanted). I had Pete at shortstop and another old friend, Dore Sheppard, was pitching. Best friends all our lives, we knew how each other played and what to expect. We were, of course, all experts at ragging each other (and the other team- if we had time). We thus represented a ready made audience. He who could be funny would get laughs.

Now, honestly, how many lefties can you think of who play third professionally? Exactly. There is a reason. Throwing.Ya, I know, covering the hole is important too. But I got the line covered and this is my story, so deal with it. I have a good arm. A strong accurate arm. From first. From the outfield. From third, a lefty has to shift his whole body before throwing across the diamond. It's easy to throw wild or wimpy. YOU know that and Theron knew it. He also knew I was out of position-to accomodate him! That doesn't mean he was going to give me any kind of break. Nooooooo!

This day, while warming up, I tossed my brother a lot of Steve Garvy's and Jose Offerman's (if you know what I mean). He was really giving it to me: "Oh, man. Nice arm. Have you finished throwing to the little league bases, yet? O.K. now breathe, relax. Be the ball. Let's chant, shall we? Remember, Zen it. Ooooooooommmmmmmmmanyousuck! Oooooooooommmmmmmmanyousuck! See the glove. Concentrate. Now, Todd, are you feeling at one with the pall. Good! Now perhaps you could FIND THE FUCKING GLOVE! WHAT IN THE NAME OF SWEET BABY JESUS ARE YOU DOING? Christ, I don't have all day! Iiii'd like to get in some practice too. Perhaps you could see it in your heart to throw a goddamn ball TOO me so I could play some catch."

Nervous now, I threw a ball in the dirt, but closer. "You greedy bastard. Are your imaginary friends all warmed up, now? Good, maybe you could toss a coupla balls at ME!" Then drawing arrows in the dirt with his cleats: "I got a good idea, let's pretend you're an airplane and I'm the Air Traffic Controller. O.K. you have clearance to land on runway #1 as in, you know, FIRST FUCKING BASE!"

Now, I normally give it right back to him, but what was I gonna do? He WAS right, I was throwing like a President at a World Series game. What could I say, something feeble like: "Shut up dickhead, like you'd do any better!" Man, he'd ream me for something like that on a normal day and, today, he was on a major roll.

The game started and we were basically kicking dirt on their graves. I got a chance early and tossed a beautiful, if careful, pill at Theron. Which he caught and stared at as if it were an angel or a meteorite. He looked dumbfounded. "Did YOU lob this Todd? Nah, it couldn'ta come from third base. That guy's got no arm." Then, turning to face the other fielders: "Hey, who threw this at me? Is this ball from someone else's game? Who owns this ball? Probably some poor moon faced kid who saved all winter. Ya, it would be wrong to keep it. We'd better return it. Hey, kid, here's your ball!" He then blithly heaved the ball to the next field. I was less than amused and dutifully brought out a new ball I'd been saving. Needless to say, most of the guys were having a good laugh at this. Chutzpah!

Near the end of the game I handled an easy one-hopper. With tons of time to aim I proceeded to fire a rocked at first. Boy, if I'd been playing the outfield that would have been a memorable toss. As it was, Theron was a good ten feet too short to catch the throw. As the ball sailed past my brother and bounced off the bleachers, it was live and the runner could advance as far as he dared. Theron knew that. The runner knew that, but he had stopped near the batters box, he was THAT out. He did start to hustle when he saw the sub-orbital arc of my little Apollo III.

Anticipating the coming fireball, Theron had assumed the classic (right-handed) first-baseman's stance. Right foot on the bag, left foot pointing at me. Left arm extended, shoulder-height, tward third base. It is the first baseman's job to track down bad throws as fast as possible. This time, Theron didn't. I braced for the coming tirade. But, as the ball lifted to the heavens, his eyes never lost contack with mine. He was focused. And he was gonna wait for the throw to get from me to him, even if it had to circle the globe a few times. The rest of us just stopped in our tracks, waiting for Theron to make a move to the ball. He didn't. Didn't move at all for long enought that people in the bleachers started laughing as the runner pulled up to Theron. Oblivious to the atmospheric bouncing the ball was doing, Theron went on: "I'm ready Todd, let 'er rip! Come on, give it some pepper." I couldn't believe it. Sure we were winning, but a game ain't over 'til you-know-when. What on earth was he doing? Go get the ball. Don't just stand there, brother, this is Baseball.

"Hey, Todd, what are you waiting for? Throw the ball already." Then looking at the batter who now stood next to him:"Hurry, Todd, here comes the runner." The look on his face was one of disgust, agitation. "Come on Todd, I'm serious now. Stop dicking around and get rid of the ball already. Oh, man! Don't make me come over there."

The runner took off for second. I took off for the ball which was nearing reentry. Theron stared at an empty third base, frozen in position. Laughing, nobody else moved. As I passed him I gurmbled, "Asshole." The statue looked up to the heavens, stunned look on his face and noted: "My word, the wind is blowing hard today. And I swear I just heard foul language from a gust of hot air."

I had to run around the bleachers to get the ball. By the time I picked it up, the runner was motoring around third. The monolith still pointed at third. Just like a good bird dog. "Hey Pete," I yelled at the shortstop-the only guy not laughing too hard to help, "Get him!"

I was tempted to bounce one off the back of Theron's head, but I was on a mission and wasn't about to let this guy score if I could help it. That's not good Baseball-not respectful. So I fired a pea at Pete. Right on the money. He turned to throw at Dore who was covering home. As the runner lunged at the plate, the ball coming in hard and low, Dore caught it and tagged the runner on the knee right as his foor slid onto the plate.

Now, to this day we think the runner was out, of course. And I'd like to say the umpire felt the same way. Hell, maybe he did. But that day on that play, laughing real hard, blue called the lucky runner safe. Normally, as the manager, I'd be jumping up and down screaming at this point. And I did run to home with that intention. But I knew that, on this day at least, I could not yell at the ump.

Resigned, I looked over to Dore and he shrugged. He seemed truly jurt he hadn't been able to get an out on the play. Like it was his fault. Then I turned to Pete who was cursing and glowering at first. Finally of course, my gaze settled on the Michaelangelo.

Clearly agitated, the rock came back to life. With his broadest "Well?" look on his incredulous face, Theron said: "BALL PLEASE!"

I just lost it. Last straw. Now you're messing with Baseball. "Oh, I'll give you the fucking ball! You want the fucking Baseball, fuckface?" And reaching into Dore's glove: "Here's the fucking ball, asshole! You want it, you got it! SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR MISTER FUCKHEAD!" I said as I heaved that puppy just as hard as I could at the ice sculpture, blood in my narrow little eyes.

I missed.

Shaking his head slowly, and witl all the droll sarcasm he could muster, Theron slowly said: "OH, MAN"
---Todd Montgomery. Mr Montgomery left Kansas City in January 1997 to take over the New York Mets.

"I'm glad this fucking season is over," muttered manager Buck Showalter. "The season started bad and just got more shitty as it wore on. I was totally embarrassed by the teams lack of effort. They should be proud to wear the pinstripes! If the veterans dont change their attitude their ass will be gone! We have plenty of youngsters that want a chance to show what they have. People like Jeter, Rivera and Benes just want the chance. If I'm still managing next year they definetly will get the chance."Owner Sotolar wasn't happy with the season either. " Maybe some teams in our division are use to finishing 40 games behind the leaders, but not my Yankees. The Twins and the Cards are the doormats and I will not tolerate another season like this. As far as I'm concerned Showalter will be my manager next year and we will be active in trying to acquire one or two key players that will once again have the Yankees playing in October." No players names where mentioned but the team is looking for a left and center fielder and possibly a starting pitcher. The Yanks were burned last year in picking up lefty David Wells from the Senators. The scouting staff better do a better job this time or they may be heading to the unemployment line.

Highlights of the season: Buhner hitting 40 homers..... Mark Dewey's 0.68 ERA out of the pen.....Morris another .300 season....Andy Pettitte winning 15 games.....Owner Sotolar's wedding... the scouting trip to East St.Louis and the private audition of a young athlete( with not much clothing on)
---Chip Sotolar

The Phillies fortunes continued to decline in August. By month's end, the ghastly collection of rehab projects, head cases and genetic misfits remained in the cellar of the Hornsby. Led by the biggest genetic misfit of them all, Dante Bichette, the team consistently underperformed against divisional opponents. Al "Mr Philadephia" Newman, along with the rest of the Gambino management structure, remains perplexed with the team's dismal performance. In a press conference at the end of the month, he noted that the team obviously didn't have what it took to be a contender in the Harris, and noted that some structural changes to the squad would be in order before next season's transition to that division of "murderers, hustlers, pimps and whores." As for the competition in the Hornsby, Newman remarked that it was subpar: "nothing compared to the the Harris; you know, I sort of miss those motherf***in' bastards in the Harris."

The month commenced with a 1-2 series loss against the Cubs at Wrigley. Decent performances were turned in by SS Tony Fernandez (.357, 2 2B) and RP Eric Plunk (3 G, 7 K), who recorded the only win for the team. 1B Kevin Seitzer's fine fielding was not enough, however, to stop the Cub juggernaut led by Charles Johnson. The series loss was followed by a series sweep at the hands of the Mets at Shea. The Brewers couldn't get out of Flushing quickly enough, as "Hitting" Coach Don Baylor remarked: "This place ain't noting but a piece of shit on a map." Returning home, the Phillies took two of three from the visiting Orioles.

The highlight of the month was facing the Brewers at home. After taking two of three from the Brewers in a July series in the hostile confines of County Stadium, Al Newman and the Gambino management were looking forward to showing the Brewer lineup what Phillies pitching can do. That they certainly did, as the pitching staff proceeded to give up three home runs to the Brewers, all of them hit by 1B Mark McGwire. The Phillies were once again swept under the rug, despite valiant hitting and fielding performances by CF Chuck Carr (.500, 5 RBI, 1 HR, 2 SB). Plunk (3 G, 10 K) once again demonstrated his remarkable firefighting skills. After the series, it was back to Wrigley again to face the Cubs. This time the Phillies took the series, 2-1.

The Astros got their first taste of the Newman's Phillies when the latter visited the Dome in the middle of the month. Newman took no prisoners as his team took the series, 2-1. SS Kevin Stocker (.500, 4 RBI, 1 2B) provided timely hitting, RF Orlando Merced roamed the outfield with impugnity, and SP Willie Blair pitched reasonably well after having finally cracked the formidable Phillies rotation. Following that series, it was home to face the dreaded Mets, light years ahead of everyone else in the division standings. In front of riotous Phillies mobs on three consecutive nights, Mets players had to endure the abuse of dog fecies and used syringes being thrown at them. Gambino management denied that promotional events sponsored by a subsidiary, Carlo Medical Waste Management, Inc., had anything to do with the proceedings. The Mets demonstrated considerable composure, taking two of three from Gambino's Bambinos. The Mariners followed the Mets into the Vet. The big surprise for this series was that they actually showed up for the series, and their flight wasn't even late. Led by Ryan Klesko, the M's took two of three from the Phils, despite good perfomances by C Benito Santiago (.500, 1 HR, 1 SB) and SP Kevin Foster (5.2 IP, 7 K). The team ended the month with a 56-76 record, worst in the division.

HIT LIST: Don Baylor followed Newman's example by signing a three-year contract extension with the Gambino Group...Phillie of the Month is SP Kevin Foster, who has notched 25 Ks in his last three starts...Trade rumors are shooting around Philadelphia like stray bullets in a gangland confrontation - latest to be mentioned is OF Dante "Dipshit" Bichette...Speaking of Bichette, GM Ray Luca marvelled aloud at the "infinite, all-knowing wisdom" of the team's previous management that prevailed when SP Shane Reynolds was traded for Bichette.
---Todd Clark

Toronto - Summer Swoon! The Blue Jays were just starting to get their hopes up. They looked like they were about to put some distance between themselves and the others in their divison rivals for the (distant) second place honors. Well... that was before the late July - early August interdivision series against Milwaukee, Montreal, San Diego, and Kansas City. The Jays managed just four victories in the eighteen games against said teams. The misery frosting on this cake of frustration was the seven game loosing streak from 25 July - 1 August. In that period the Jays were outscored 63 -27. "While we expected San Diego to score big [17 runs on 26 July] at least once, we never expected to see Kansas City do it [15 runs on 31 July]," said manager Buddy Bell. While scoring is viewed as audience attracting, the level of scoring is starting make the games as exciting as a typical Cricket match.

August has continued the wrath of the injury bug: Greg Myers went onto the DL yet again; Derek Bell's injury will place him on the DL in the last month; utiliy man Chris Gomez pulls his hamstring on 01 August and has been day-to-day since; and, David Hulse pulled his back (again) on 10 August and will miss most of the last month's games. Manager Buddy Bell was overheard saying that at this rate September's expanded roster will be needed just to field a team.

Duty for the Future Now (apologies to Devo): the Blue Jays are now really looking towards next year. Rumor has it that the Jays will be conducting a fire sale on vetrans like Chili Davis in order to free up salary for new (preferably young) talent to be infused into the team. According to owner Samocha, "whether we move them now or move them during the off season -- a purge is coming."

Jays Chatter: Tom Candiotti, after giving up 3 home runs to Kansas City on 31 July, has placed himself on a one day off, next day soft toss, next day hard throw, next day simulated game schedule. "The only problem is no one else seems to know when I've gone from soft to hard throwing," said Tom ... A telling statement about how things have been going for the Blue Jays this year: Travis Fryman is the leading home run hitter on the team and utility infielder Jose Hernandez is making a serious run at being #2 ... Starters Tom Candiotti and Al Leiter actually cracked the "top" ERA list just in time to have double digit earned runs allowed games ... Releiver Tom Henke announced that he, without a question, is retiring at the end of the season; the ideal send-off would be a Fireman award but that is not feasible -- the Jays are creating enough chances. The Jays, therefore, are warning the league that Tom will be appearing quite often over the last month of the season, sometimes in spite of the situation.
---Joe Samocha