PVBL: Laurel Lynx
Hoerst Involved in Dispute with Bordick
March 8, 1998

LAUREL, MARYLAND--With the season opener just a few days away, the controversial rookie manager of the Lynx Floyd Hoerst was in the headlines again. Hoerst was involved in a heated discussion today with veteran shortstop Mike Bordick. The confrontation was the result of Hoerst's intention to start the season with youngster Chris Snopek at short. Said Hoerst "I am looking at this thing realistically, I can play Bordick and we might when a few more games over the course of the year but he isn't exactally going to lead us to a division championship. Sure we loose a lot of defense with Snopek at short, but we need to find out if he can hit with power at this level and get him ready in case we are able to move 3B Garry Gaetti in the early stages of the season."

Hoerst's comments apparently touched a nerve with Gaetti who said "I have been hoping for a trade out of this stinking rebuilding project all spring, but nothing has happened yet. They don't need to keep saying they don't want guys like me and Danny Tartabul here, just (explicative deleted) deal us if they can and lets get on with it." Tartabul, the team's RF last season was unavailable for comment.

Team GM Sean Dawson held a press conference as the team packed to head north for the start of the 1998 season. He announced that the team‰s starting position players for 1998. They are as follows:

 C Hassleman  40 57 36
1B Bagwell    67 97 54
2B Morandini  44 33 62
SS Snopek     45 72 39
3B Gaetti     50 69 43
LF Trammell   48 71 44
CF Becker     72 58 59
RF Brumfield  48 79 55
DH Dye        61 68 22


This leaves a bench that includes among others Tartabull (45, 77, 36), Seitzer (71,44,41) and Kieschnick (49,61,46). Dawson stated that "we are still looking to deal one or some of our outfielders for talent at other positions to give the team some balance, but there have been no formal discussions at this point."

The rotation will likely consist of Scott Erickson, Steve Avery, Steve Karsay, Armando Reynoso, and18 year-old rookie Todd Noel. Dawson stated that the team "wanted to get Noel a few starts early in the season to see what he can do at this level. We are not expecting him to be Cy Young, but if he is at least somewhat effective he will probably stay in the rotation." The team would probably fall back on Orel Hershiser or Frank Castillo to fill the fifth starter role should Noel be sent to the minors.

Team Notes: Manager Floyd Hoerst announced in a separate press conference that he is suing the Chicago franchise for using his name on team merchadise without his position. Hoerst said "look they are selling hats, shirts, and jackets with my name on it and I am not seeing a cent". Hoerst announced that he has hired F. Lee Bailey and Baltimore attorney Peter Angelos to head his legal team. He said "my lawyers say I have a good case, we will have to wait and see if Chicago wants to settle or go to trial."

22 year old Julio Santana has locked up the least used job on the team closer (for now at least).

--written by Sean Dawson