Hartford (AP)- Although only .500 in their last ten games, the Hartford Whalers
find themselves only 5 games out of first in the McCoy, tied with Montreal
(Deadwood is 4 games back of first-place Edmonton). The Whalers limped into
the break, adding a few more injuries to their MASH unit and dropping their
last two games. Both games were 11th inning heartbreak losses to Deadwood on
the road. Hartford is 0-7 in extra innings this season. The Whalers do,
however, still have the most wins against McCoy Division opponents-32. Of his
team at the break, Owner Jeremy Chrabascz had this to say, "I'm very pleased
and very proud of our boys. While we've begun rebuilding from the bottom up
we've still managed to stay competitive. Heck, we're in the race! Who
would've thought? We don't feel too bad about losing Maddux, Brown, Griffey,
Palmiero and Sheffield at the moment. Their replacements have each outplayed
them for us and none of the guys we lost will be in the All-Star Game. So, I
can live with that and our 4 first round picks." When asked what the Whalers
plan to do during the break, Chrabascz replied, "Heal. We don't even have a
game scheduled the first day or two after break so we'll get some much needed
extra rest. Hopefully everyone can get healthy and come out of the blocks
charged. I think we have an excellent shot at winning the division." When
asked what changes he planned to make, he said, "Well, Socks (Byrne) will go
back to his natural position in right field full-time. Sanders (Reggie) will
go to left field full-time, Mark (Whiten) will be our first baseman, Kendall
and Girardi will start platooning behind the plate and Franco and Carter will
switch off as DH's."
Notes:
-Hartford has called off ALL trade talks with everyone, apparently content to
play with what they've got
-LHP Mike Mimbs was activated from AAA to PVBL as a middle reliever
-RHP Brian Boehringer was activated from AAA to PVBL as a long reliever
-SS Jay Bell was placed on the DL and is expected out 4-6 weeks
-RHP and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, despite a strained rotator cuff (10%) is
2-0 with a 0.60 ERA and 29 strikeouts after his first two #1 starts for AAA
affiliate, the Glastonbury (CT) Tomahawks
