Whalers Optimistic, Despite Being in the Basement June 18, 1999
Hartford, CT (AP)- Most teams would be down and depressed being below
.500 and having lost 7 of their last 10 while falling 9 1/2 games out of
first place and into the basement of their division...but not the Hartford
Whalers. Fending off temptation to conduct a Fire Sale or look ahead to
the future and "next year," the Whalers went out and traded for the most
prolific homerun hitter in all of baseball, Mark McGwire. Big Mac hits for
contact and power and with a career BA over .300 and over 140 career homers
(the current active leader), he is sure to add a much needed spark to what
has been a very disappointing, anemic offensive display by the Whalers thus
far this season. Everyone is excite and, dare we say, giddy to have the
incredible monster otherwise known as Big Mac sharing the same locker room
with them. Hitting Coach Jim Rice said the following of his new pupil, "I
don't think there is a whole lot to help Mark with. I'd like him to
shorten-up his swing a tad but, other than that, he has a great eye and how
can you argue with what he's done?" You can't and no one will. He's a
fierce competitor and, according to yesterday's press conference when he
arrived at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, he's "looking
forward to joining one hell of a lineup. I've heard great things about
Hartford and its fans and I hope to help bring Ring #2 here." When asked
what the odds were on McGwire signing a long term deal with Hartford beyond
the season, Mark simply said, "Moving from coast to coast is quite a change
but at least I'm not in the Midwest or North of the border, right? They
still have great boating, fishing and even some whales out here, ya know."
Meanwhile, while McGwire was discussing his hobbies his new teammates were
discussing their chances. Veteran pitcher Ken Hill said, "When I heard of
the trade I was quite disappointed to see Troy (Percival) go. I know
that's going to hurt our staff. But I don't think anyone would pass up the
opportunity to play alongside Mark McGwire. We have the top homerun hitter
in PVBL and the #3 homerun hitter in PVBL hitting back-to-back. Somehow I
think we can all look forward to a little more run support. Hopefully
Yoshi will get some. He's really been let down by our offense." Manager
Dwight Evans responded to the trade nothing but anticipation, "I cannot
wait to utilize such a powerful talent in our lineup. He gives us a great
deal more latitude as coaches." No one is quite certain just exactly what
kind of chance Hartford really has since it fell from first to last this
past month. But if talk around New England is any indication, there is
greater hope now than there was a week ago.
Mark McGwire will play 1B and will hit in the #3 spot tomorrow afternoon in
his debut on the road against the first-place Deadwood Outlaws. Andres
Galarraga will hit in front of him and Jay Buhner will hit behind him.
While McGwire was dominating the media's attention in New England, Hartford
made another trade. The Whalers sent young lefty hurler Jack Broskie and
their 3rd Round Amateur Draft pick, LF Hank Warner, to Medina in return for
young righty closer George Connolly and CF Marvin Benard. Neither Connolly
nor Benard have reported to Hartford yet but Connolly is expected to
immediately become a closer alongside Kevin Millwood and Benard will become
Hartford's primary bat off the bench, especially as a pinch runner with 70
SP.
"Most organizations would have panicked, folded and dealt away all of their
top talent for draft picks by now if they were in our situation. We refuse
to lay down and die without a fight." -Hartford Whalers GM Peter Gammons
"McGwire is coming HERE? Ha! I see a few more pitches coming my way."
-Whalers RF Jay Buhner
"Let's just hope they don't trade him. We've seen the likes of Greg
Maddux, Kevin Brown, Ken Griffey Jr and Gary Sheffield already ride on
through here without looking back. We're not the damn Expos or Marlins for
Christ's sake." -Anonymous cynical Whaler fan on the street
"Wow. A good move for both teams. Spokane fills many holes, Hartford gains
some legitimacy as a competitive team. We'll see what McGwire can do..."
-Peter Carbonetto, Montreal Royals
