Cincinnati – Preston Wilson arrived at spring training with an expiration date. He knew he wasn’t going to finish the season with the Rockies. He never raised “a stink” as he put it, but privately desired to play for a contender.
When the Rockies see him today in Washington, Wilson will look the same – with designer sunglasses, taped wrists and cleats featuring his daughter’s name embroidered across the back. But there is a noticeable difference in his work environment.
“You can definitely see it. The little things get done a lot more here,” Wilson told Washington reporters Sunday. “It’s more business-like. It’s about baseball. Guys enjoy themselves, but there’s nothing else besides baseball being talked about.”
Wilson spent the past 1 1/2 years with the Rockies in a swirling minidrama involving injuries, surgeries and trade rumors. It was a more difficult situation, pitcher Shawn Chacon admitted, than Wilson let on.
“For any of us what is going on here is hard, but he really knew he was gone,” Chacon said. “I am happy he got to go to a team in first place. You can tell from watching on TV there’s a little more bounce in his step.”
Wilson called Chacon when he was traded, knowing he would face him Tuesday.
“He left a message saying, ‘Don’t hit me,”‘ Chacon said. “I am going to tell him that if he hits a home run, he better not pimp me.”
Mercker, Helton clash
A simmering three-year-old feud between Reds pitcher Kent Mercker and Todd Helton surfaced Sunday when the left-hander plunked the first baseman in the back of the left knee.
Helton was convinced Mercker hit him on purpose, mad about their falling out in 2002 when Mercker, who was pitching for the Rockies, missed drilling Mets outfielder Timo Perez a day after he showboated on a home run.
“I figured it was coming,” Helton said. “I have played long enough to know why.”
Mercker refuted Helton’s claim of intent. “I didn’t do it on purpose. … I would take Helton on my team at first base any day of the week.”
Day back at RFK
Rockies pitcher Zach Day drew national attention, if only briefly, for irritating Nationals manager Frank Robinson during a game in Los Angeles this season. Robinson removed Day, who didn’t look at his boss as he left the field. Facing his former team, Day considers the matter closed.
“It really wasn’t that big of a deal,” Day said. “I am happy to have a fresh start.”
Hair affair
About that hair. Eric Byrnes’ wig drips So-Cal, looking as if he just walked off the set of “Point Break.” How did a kid who wore a crew cut at UCLA reach this length?
“I went to the Dominican a couple of winters ago and didn’t cut it,” Byrnes said. “Now it’s a mess. I just try to trim it when it gets to the point of embarrassment.”
Byrnes admits he was a problem child and credits sports, particularly karate, for providing discipline. His father is a fourth-degree black belt.
