PVBL: Hartford Whalers
One for the Road
July 12, 1999

McGwire Bids Adieu to Hartford's Fans, Whalers Look to Sink or Swim

Edmonton (AP)- Mark McGwire made his last appearance, even his final at-bat for that matter, in a Hartford Whalers uniform memorable Wednesday night. Despite having been in a slump and despite having fallen behind Bob Higginson in homeruns and RBI this past week, Mark McGwire made sure that Whalers fans saw what they would be missing when he departs for Binghamton, New York this morning. In his final at-bat in the top of the 9th inning in Edmonton, Big Mac crushed a Mark Wohlers offering deep to dead-centerfield.

The blast was estimated by Whalers statisticians to have travelled an estimated 529 feet. With his fist pumping in the cheer-filled air and his ball still searching for a place to land, McGwire rounded the bases for Hartford one last time. The Big Mac show and the homerun chase would return to the DL tomorrow as McGwire joins in the race to catch Frank Thomas. McGwire and Higginson both have 31 homers at the All-Star Break while Thomas has 39. Incidentally, the Whalers won the road contest 12-8.


New lineup and rotation announced

Hartford (AP)- Hartford Whalers GM Peter Gammons released their new lineups effective following the All-Star Break...

New starting pitching rotation of: Bobby Witt (10-5, 3.95), Ken Hill (6-7, 4.42), Hideki Irabu (6-7, 4.73), Tom Gordon (7-6, 3.47) and Masato Yoshi (4-9, 3.11).
Batting Order:

1. Jason Kendall    Catcher             .305
2. Socks Byrne      Right Fielder       .289
3. Andres Galarraga First Baseman       .315
4. Adam Riggs       Second Baseman      .270
5. Jay Buhner       Third Baseman       .254
6. Reggie Sanders   Left Fielder        .314
7. Chris Stynes     Designated Hitter   .216
8. Kurt Abbott      Shortstop           .247
9. Marvin Benard    Center Fielder      .408


TRADEWINDS

Hartford appears to be calming down on the phone lines a bit but is still interested in acquiring additional pitching as well as draft picks.

--written by Jeremy Chrabascz