AT ISSUE
Personal trainers, plethora of problems
What: The invasion of personal trainers in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Background: Outside of gambling, nothing was discouraged more in baseball than weightlifting until the early 1980s. But starting with California’s Brian Downing, it became more acceptable. That led to a dangerous marriage between players and personal trainers, who were permitted in major-league clubhouses until two years ago, when they were banned. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said,”When we let players go that route, we weren’t sure who they were hiring and what the personal trainers’ motives were. We could have educated the players a little more. But the players are grown men and should be mature and smart enough to get a quality person.”
Renck’s take: The drug policy is working, but getting caught at this point is tantamount to failing an IQ test, so those stupid enough to fail should receive a minimum of 40 games. As it stands, a hurt player is punished longer (15-day DL) than a drug-user (10 days).
EYE ON DERRICK LEE, 1B, CHICAGO CUBS
Background: San Diego Padres’ first-round draft choice in 1993, 14th pick overall. Recruited by Division I basketball teams. Traded to Marlins, among others, for pitcher Kevin Brown in December 1997. Shipped out by Marlins, for cost purposes, to Cubs for Hee-Seop Choi and Mike Nannini. Apparently Marlins felt guilty for stealing Dontrelle Willis from Cubs.
What’s up: Lee arrives in Denver this weekend with Cubs-partisan crowds ready to roar “M-V-P” during his plate appearances. He’s a threat to win baseball’s first Triple Crown – average, home runs, RBIs – since Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. No National Leaguer has accomplished the feat since St. Louis’ Joe “Ducky” Medwick in 1937.
Stat line: With a $7.6 million salary – $18.1 million less than Alex Rodriguez – Lee has provided improbable bang for the buck. He entered Saturday batting a league-best .350 with 35 home runs – two shy of Atlanta’s Andruw Jones – and 89 RBIs, trailing only Albert Pujols’ 91. Against Colorado in May, Lee went 9-for-14 with four home runs. Said Nationals outfielder Preston Wilson on his friend after witnessing that bludgeoning: “He’s on a different planet. I’d like to visit that place for a day, and he’s been there all season.”
What’s next: Fans voted Lee the NL starter in the All-Star Game ahead of Pujols. The question now is whether Lee can win the MVP vote from the reporters as the star of an underachieving team while Pujols’ Cardinals glide toward the postseason. The Triple Crown seems unlikely since Lee has surpassed his career high in home runs and has never hit better than .282. But his MVP candidacy has legs. Or more accurately, arms and hands. Lee is smoother than day-old butter at first base. If the Cubs wiggle into the wild-card race in September, Lee’s numbers will be hard to ignore.
WHAT TO WATCH
Torre courting trouble
What: The New York Yankees began the weekend out of the playoffs. Out- fielder Gary Sheffield questioned the team’s leadership, the starting rotation is a mess, and fingers are pointing in manager Joe Torre’s direction.
When: Tuesday owner George Steinbrenner criticized Torre for leaving in left-handed reliever Alan Embree to face White Sox slugger Paul Konerko in a loss. Torre, who has always become calmer the bigger the crisis, bristled Thursday when asked about his bullpen’s wobbly performance. He said he would discuss “The Boss” after the season.
Why: Steinbrenner understandably is disappointed in the return on his $204 million investment. Failing to win a World Series since 2000 left him angry. Missing the playoffs by all accounts would turn him volcanic. I’ll never forget when Aaron Boone homered in the 2003 ALCS, a Yankees official saying, “You don’t realize how many jobs that one swing just saved.”
TOYS OF SUMMER
Sounds of music
What: The intertwining of music and baseball.
When: Long before Paul Simon sang about Joe DiMaggio, music has been connected to baseball. That bond has grown stronger both on and off the field. Think on it for a minute. What clings to the brain more, an Eric Gagne save or the Guns N’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” riff that preceded it? Everyone seems to know Mariano River enters to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” – he puts opponents to sleep – and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” turned Larry Walker’s at-bats into mini-concerts.
Why: Players rely on music for two primary reasons: motivation and relaxation. “I love hearing the (entry) song; it gets me going,” Rockies closer Brian Fuentes said. Away from the field, iPods are as common as in-room dining on road trips. “The season is such a grind; it’s nice to put on tunes and get away from everything for a little while,” Rockies catcher JD Closser said.
