Heard somebody grumble the other day about how much they hated baseball. Too slow, too boring, too many cheaters.
Baseball is an acquired taste.
It is a romance. Football, the new king, is a one-night stand. If pace prevents interest in baseball, that’s understandable. But lawlessness should no longer curb enthusiasm.
Baseball’s best young players have grown up in a much different environment, subject to testing from the moment they signed their first pro contracts. In the wake of the Mitchell report, those stars will be leaned on to grow and cleanse the game.
Players like Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
“When you look at my draft class of 2005, there was testing in place. You hope that fans realize that,” Tulowitzki said. “If I get beat by somebody, I want to know it’s because he worked harder, not because of better science. That would really (upset) me.”
That statement is encouraging for a sport trying to change its culture. Let’s be honest, baseball did a pathetic job of policing itself from the mid-1980s to 2002. The drug rules, or lack thereof, were a joke, which helped dissolve some of the game’s greatest players — Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens — before our eyes in recent years.
Shame is a wonderful deterrent. So are penalties, with a 50-game hit for an initial steroid violation a legitimate siphon to the pocket book. After years of Bonds’ soul-sucking home runs, the awareness of drug use has moved out of the closet. Players speak openly now about wanting a clean game.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Gabe Kapler told me in spring training that he would welcome the permanent storage of blood samples. That would allow science to catch up with the garage chemists and expose a player even if it happens a few years later.
Washington pitcher Ray King, a member of the players union executive council, believes there is growing momentum to agree to a blood test for human growth hormone, echoing the statements of Dodgers veteran Jeff Kent.
Last week, the Olympics announced that HGH blood testing would be available this summer in Beijing.
“I want there to be a level playing field,” Tulowitzki said. “If that’s what it takes, fine. I am all for it.”
Baseball needs progress, not winters spent with their stars testifying in front of Congress. As its brightest young stars age with testing, there’s reason to believe the future will be defined by credibility, not whispers and tainted statistics.
The courage of Davis.
Not a lot of fans know who Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis is. But they should, not because of his numbers, but his courage. Davis was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He will make his second start of the season this week before undergoing surgery to remove a growth. He has history on his side as his mother and sister recovered from a similar diagnosis.
Davis hopes to return to the rotation in a month. Regardless of when he comes back, his strength is admirable in a time when too many athletes let hangnails and hangovers sideline them.
Footnotes.
Based on my discussion with scouts, the Los Angeles Angels’ Casey Kotchmann is the best defensive first baseman. That’s worth noting for a guy who has never won a Gold Glove. . . . Early candidate for comeback player of the year: Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson. . . . St. Louis is marketing its team around the slogan: “Play Like a Cardinal.” After years of going for the old, the Cardinals have injected youth with Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, Adam Wainwright and Chris Duncan, among others. Said manager Tony La Russa: “Our fans are never going to be embarrassed by how hard we play. But in the end, it’s about results. This league isn’t about trying hard.” . . . Starter Johan Santana needed just 33 pitches to work through Florida’s lineup the first time. He could win 22 games this season. . . . Clip and save: Oakland’s Rich Harden will be the most coveted pitcher in a trade by June. If healthy — and that’s a huge if — Harden has arguably the best stuff in baseball. . . . A scary thought for Rockies fans: Multiple executives believe that Dodgers outfielder and phenom Matt Kemp will hit 30 home runs this season, Andre Ethier will reach 25 and James Loney will contend for a batting title. Throw in catcher Russell Martin and suddenly the Dodgers have their version of Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe, Garrett Atkins and Tulowitzki. . . . Ironic twist on the Giants’ youth movement: They began the season with the oldest average age in the National League (31.33). The Diamondbacks were the youngest (26.11). The Rockies came in at 27.5.
At issue
Beyond the company line: Injuries really do hurt
What: The impact of early-season injuries. When the trainer runs onto the field, managers go old school. They insist that a team can survive any injury. One week into the season, however, it’s impossible to ignore the impact that aches and pains could have on division races.
Background: The high-profile list of those reacquainting themselves with ice packs and MRIs is staggering: Seattle all-star closer J.J. Putz, Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield, Mets starter Pedro Martinez, Braves ace John Smoltz, Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra and Detroit relievers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney. The Tigers felt the pinch as the Royals broomed them at home. Think back to opening day, when Denny Bautista spoiled Justin Verlander’s solid work. He is the Tigers’ eighth-inning setup man who was deemed unworthy of any role in the Rockies’ bullpen. Putz is the best closer you’ve never heard of, his absence creating a ninth-inning committee that might be chaired by fifth starter Miguel Batista. Closers are like quarterbacks — when you have two, you have none. Mike Hampton’s latest setback places pressure on Smoltz to return to his old form in Atlanta.
Renck’s take: Managers are paid to keep a stiff upper lip regarding the disabled list. Players aren’t so diplomatic. When Martinez limped off for four to six weeks, the Mets admitted they are going to miss him. Nelson Figueroa will likely replace the right-hander. He hasn’t appeared in a major-league game in nearly four years. That’s a Grand Canyonesque drop-off.
Eye on . . .
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
Background: The name Larry Wayne Jones doesn’t jump off the page. But Chipper Jones, now we have something. Baseball is littered with No. 1 overall draft picks who never sniffed the big leagues or made an impact. All Jones has done is become a legend since leaving The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1990.
What’s up: Jones started this season like so many others, producing a big hit. Jones blasted the first home run at the Washington Nationals’ new park. President Bush, who was in the ESPN booth at the time, provided the call on the blast. Jones has received MVP votes in 11 of the past 13 seasons. Go to a game at Turner Field and he’s treated like a rock star. He’s been around so long that Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann grew up idolizing him. What makes Jones so special? Here’s a thumbnail sketch from a rival National League executive: Left-handed power, right-handed hitting and power have grown with age; has plus ability in the clutch and unbelievable strike zone awareness; athletic defensively with a strong, accurate arm; a Hall of Famer. Any questions?
What’s next: There’s a four- game stop in Coors Field this week. In the future, there are milestones to reach. Jones is 13 home runs shy of 400. A 3,000-hit career isn’t impossible, with a little more than 800 to go at age 35.
Renck’s take: The only thing that consistently stops Chipper is Chipper. His body hasn’t always cooperated, particularly his balky hamstrings. But it’s worth the price of admission to see Jones’ left-handed swing. In many ways, he’s this generation’s Mickey Mantle. As one NL scout said: “Chipper might have lost a step, but I would take him in my lineup any day.”
Up and down
THREE UP
1. Royals: Second time in 40 years they opened with road sweep.2. Nationals: First Washington team to start 3-0 since 1951.
3. Angels: Acrobatic shortstop Erick Aybar drawing raves.
THREE DOWN
1. Tigers: Just five runs while being swept in opening series; Cabrera hurt.
2. Mets: Pedro Martinez stars in “Moon Over My Hammy.” Out 4-6 weeks.
3. Giants: No Barry, no posse, no drama — and no runs, either.
