Thirdbaseman Gary Gaetti has seen about all there is to be seen in
baseball. He is undeniably the team leader, the wise presence, the patient
teacher. He is one of the most valued players at his position, not for his
production, but for his leadership on the field and the confidence he
instills into younger players. Reportedly the Galena Hamsters have on
numerous occasions tried to acquire him.
At 38 years of age, he is having a quiet but solid season for the Royals.
He has played 40 of the Royals' 54 games, and is batting .248 with 5 home
runs and 14 RBIs. Even players Rusty Greer and Jack McDowell look up to
Gaetti.
We asked him to analyse the Royals' season so far:
ON RICHARD GALEN
"Galen is the most amazing pitcher this league has ever seen. Tim Wakefield
has already asked for his autograph. But with the power that hitters have
these days, all he has to do is make one mistake and the ball is history.
No wonder he has given up 17 home runs in 8 starts."
ON JACK MCDOWELL
"No question, String Bean has been our best pitcher. No knock against him,
he's no ace."
ON BRADY ANDERSON
"With Rusty Greer and Brady side-by-side in the outfield, you can't lose.
Right there you have the two hardest working players in the league."
ON FRANK THOMAS
"Frank knows his numbers aren't as good as he would like. He's talked to me
about it. But I still has the sweetest swing in the league, so eventually
luck will start coming in his favour."
ON THE MONTREAL BULLPEN
"I can understand why Reynoso is having such a tough time. With Rhodes,
Simas, Mesa and Harnisch in the bullpen, he's always worried that his next
pitch will be his last."
ON THE EDMONTON SLUSH PUPPIES
"As good as they are, a lot of their players are overachieving. Alex
Rodriguez is the real deal. But if I were their GM, I would trade the
starting pitching while they're hot. I swear, Tim Belcher's back looked
like it would snap at every pitch. Later on in the season, things may start
to change in the Royals' favour."
ON THE NEW ORLEANS WHA... VAMPIRES
"I understand this rebuilding process, but it seems like a player gets
traded just as he's coming through. They're making the Expos look good."
ON THE DEADWOOD INLAWS
"That Tim Salmon kid is tearing through the fences. But they're pitching is
just so damn awful that 10 Salmons wouldn't help."
