More Info
KTVU Giants Special, March, 1999
Narrator: Joe Fonzi
Joe: Ever since he was called up in 1995 and Royce Clayton was the Giants' starting shortstop, Rich Aurilia has been sharing playing time. Clayton was traded before the `96 season, but the Giants brought in Shawon Dunston. In `97, Aurilia battled Jose Viscano. And last year, the Giants signed Rey Sanchez to compete with Aurilia for the job.
Rich: You always get that label of "you're the shortstop of the future" and you kind of start wondering when the future is.
Joe: For Aurilia, the future is finally now. There are utility players at camp, but for the first spring since he's been with the Giants, he's the only full time shortstop on the roster. In 122 games last year, Aurilia proved he's a full time major leaguer. "Proved" is the key word.
Baker: It's a hard sale to a young man, to see daily competition for a job, but that's how life is, you know. You have to compete every day to either get your job or keep you job. And I think he's ready to play, he's ready to play every day.
Joe: Some players do better when they're pushed. Aurilia knows there's no room for complacency, even though he's now the starter.
Rich: I come here, do my work, work hard. I think the only difference is that's there's a little bit more off my mind, out there. I'm a little bit more relaxed, in the sense that I know I don't have to go out there from day 1 and win a position on the team.
Baker: In the world today we end up in the giveaway business more than the earning business. And going back to the old school, Richie has earned it.
Joe: In just his second full time big league season, Aurilia is already in the baseball Hall of Fame. His bat is, anyway. This homerun against the Angels in 1997 was the first grand slam in interlague history. The bat now resides in Cooperstown.
Rich: You know, thet's something they can't take away from me-- I can always say I have something in the Hall of Fame.
Joe: That puts Aurilia ahead of most players, but for now, he's just happy being the Giants starting shortstop.