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Brown's hot start at plate gets La Russa's attention
By Joe Strauss
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/08/2004
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Cardinals' surprise of spring has a name: Emil Brown.
While the team's search for a left-field combination has produced little instant gratification, Brown furthered his candidacy Monday with an impressive late-inning display in a 6-4 loss to the New York Mets at Tradition Field.
Brown, last seen in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001, entered the game in the sixth inning as part of a double switch. He singled in the eighth against righthander David Weathers, then unloaded against Joselo Diaz for a three-run homer in the ninth. Brown's six hits in eight at-bats lead camp, as do his 12 total bases, two home runs and five RBIs. Brown is a career .200 hitter who has divided 404 at-bats among five seasons and two organizations. The Oakland A's selected Brown in the sixth round of the 1994 draft while Tony La Russa was their manager.
The Cardinals are hitting .226 with four home runs and 20 runs. Their opponents are enjoying a 2.83 ERA while striking out 54 in as many innings. Third baseman Scott Rolen and second baseman Bo Hart were the only holdover starters in Monday's lineup.
Brown, 29, signed as a minor-league free agent Jan. 9 and was given a long shot, at best, of sticking. However, a sluggish start by much of his competition combined by his early breakout - Brown also had three RBIs against Florida International in a non-sanctioned game - have commanded notice.
"This is their chance," La Russa said, adding that Brown "runs well. He's a young hitter and he hits strikes. He's got everybody's attention. He's one of those young hitters, when he swings at strikes, good things happen. So the better strike zone he has, you'll see him get a lot of hits. He'll get some extra at-bats. He earned them."
Brown carries the perspective of a righthanded hitter whose opportunities have been mostly at Class AAA since 1999. His .295 average at Louisville ranked 10th in the International League last season.
"What happens from the result of what I'm doing at the plate or even in the field, they're going to have to make the decision based on that," Brown said. "I can't press myself, thinking, 'If I do good, they'll look at it. And if I do bad, that's really bad for me.' Whatever happens from me playing, I'll benefit from the result whatever it may be."
La Russa noted Monday that the pending returns of right fielder Reggie Sanders and center fielder Jim Edmonds will allow fewer chances for the contenders in left. Kerry Robinson, So Taguchi, Greg Vaughn, Ray Lankford, John Mabry, Colin Porter, Mark Quinn, Kevin Witt and Steve Cox also are in the competition. Vaughn, who had two hits in his first appearance against the Mets, struck out three times, giving him six in eight at-bats. Porter, Taguchi, Mabry, Robinson and Witt are a combined six for 50 (.120) with three RBIs.
Suppan makes start
Despite a "hit and miss" fastball, Jeff Suppan worked three shutout innings Monday in his first exhibition start for his new team. Suppan allowed only a first-inning single to Mets catcher Mike Piazza while facing 10 hitters. He struck out right fielder Roger Cedeno, got two deep fly outs and a line out to second.
Suppan relies on command of four pitches but Monday showed mostly a fastball and changeup. Unimpressed with his command, Suppan got through the outing in 43 pitches.
"Right now I'm not throwing all my pitches. My No. 1 focus is my fastball. I have to locate that," said Suppan, who typically progresses to his curve, then his cutter. "I start with those and try to get my command better and better. Once I get my fastball, I move on from that."
The Cardinals' past three starters - Jason Marquis, Alan Benes and Suppan - have not allowed a run in eight total innings.
King is ready
Lefthanded reliever Ray King is expected to make his first game appearance of camp Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. King experienced an elbow "twinge" shortly after arriving in camp and was pushed back as a precaution. The sensation is not unusual for this stage of camp, said King, who has averaged more than 79 appearances the past three seasons.
"It's not a big deal. It's just (because of)80-plus games every season, that's all," said King.
Sanders returns
Reggie Sanders was due back in camp Monday night after his wife, Wyndee, delivered the couple's fourth daughter in Phoenix. Sanders is not expected to play today against the Baltimore Orioles but probably will receive more regular time beginning Wednesday. He appeared in only one game before leaving camp Friday.
Reporter Joe Strauss
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 314-340-8371
By Joe Strauss
Of the Post-Dispatch
03/08/2004
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Cardinals' surprise of spring has a name: Emil Brown.
While the team's search for a left-field combination has produced little instant gratification, Brown furthered his candidacy Monday with an impressive late-inning display in a 6-4 loss to the New York Mets at Tradition Field.
Brown, last seen in the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001, entered the game in the sixth inning as part of a double switch. He singled in the eighth against righthander David Weathers, then unloaded against Joselo Diaz for a three-run homer in the ninth. Brown's six hits in eight at-bats lead camp, as do his 12 total bases, two home runs and five RBIs. Brown is a career .200 hitter who has divided 404 at-bats among five seasons and two organizations. The Oakland A's selected Brown in the sixth round of the 1994 draft while Tony La Russa was their manager.
The Cardinals are hitting .226 with four home runs and 20 runs. Their opponents are enjoying a 2.83 ERA while striking out 54 in as many innings. Third baseman Scott Rolen and second baseman Bo Hart were the only holdover starters in Monday's lineup.
Brown, 29, signed as a minor-league free agent Jan. 9 and was given a long shot, at best, of sticking. However, a sluggish start by much of his competition combined by his early breakout - Brown also had three RBIs against Florida International in a non-sanctioned game - have commanded notice.
"This is their chance," La Russa said, adding that Brown "runs well. He's a young hitter and he hits strikes. He's got everybody's attention. He's one of those young hitters, when he swings at strikes, good things happen. So the better strike zone he has, you'll see him get a lot of hits. He'll get some extra at-bats. He earned them."
Brown carries the perspective of a righthanded hitter whose opportunities have been mostly at Class AAA since 1999. His .295 average at Louisville ranked 10th in the International League last season.
"What happens from the result of what I'm doing at the plate or even in the field, they're going to have to make the decision based on that," Brown said. "I can't press myself, thinking, 'If I do good, they'll look at it. And if I do bad, that's really bad for me.' Whatever happens from me playing, I'll benefit from the result whatever it may be."
La Russa noted Monday that the pending returns of right fielder Reggie Sanders and center fielder Jim Edmonds will allow fewer chances for the contenders in left. Kerry Robinson, So Taguchi, Greg Vaughn, Ray Lankford, John Mabry, Colin Porter, Mark Quinn, Kevin Witt and Steve Cox also are in the competition. Vaughn, who had two hits in his first appearance against the Mets, struck out three times, giving him six in eight at-bats. Porter, Taguchi, Mabry, Robinson and Witt are a combined six for 50 (.120) with three RBIs.
Suppan makes start
Despite a "hit and miss" fastball, Jeff Suppan worked three shutout innings Monday in his first exhibition start for his new team. Suppan allowed only a first-inning single to Mets catcher Mike Piazza while facing 10 hitters. He struck out right fielder Roger Cedeno, got two deep fly outs and a line out to second.
Suppan relies on command of four pitches but Monday showed mostly a fastball and changeup. Unimpressed with his command, Suppan got through the outing in 43 pitches.
"Right now I'm not throwing all my pitches. My No. 1 focus is my fastball. I have to locate that," said Suppan, who typically progresses to his curve, then his cutter. "I start with those and try to get my command better and better. Once I get my fastball, I move on from that."
The Cardinals' past three starters - Jason Marquis, Alan Benes and Suppan - have not allowed a run in eight total innings.
King is ready
Lefthanded reliever Ray King is expected to make his first game appearance of camp Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. King experienced an elbow "twinge" shortly after arriving in camp and was pushed back as a precaution. The sensation is not unusual for this stage of camp, said King, who has averaged more than 79 appearances the past three seasons.
"It's not a big deal. It's just (because of)80-plus games every season, that's all," said King.
Sanders returns
Reggie Sanders was due back in camp Monday night after his wife, Wyndee, delivered the couple's fourth daughter in Phoenix. Sanders is not expected to play today against the Baltimore Orioles but probably will receive more regular time beginning Wednesday. He appeared in only one game before leaving camp Friday.
Reporter Joe Strauss
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 314-340-8371
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