Bums in chaos, cellar; finally hire LaRussa August 20, 2000
Vero Beach, FL (AP) -- As was widely expected, the Vero Beach Bums have hired Montreal Royals 3B coach Tony LaRussa as manager, effective immediately.Ê LaRussa joins a former DL champion team currently mired in last place in the Picard Division.
"I look forward to working with the great young pitchers in this organization," said LaRussa, "and being a part of the ongoing rebuilding process currently in effect in Vero Beach."
LaRussa becomes the third manager in Bums history, succeeding Phil Garner.Ê Jason Gohlke, Bums owner, served as the first manager of the club.
Disoriented Bums Fall into Cellar
Vero Beach, FL (AP) -- The Vero Beach Bums have never been here before -- and they don't like it.Ê
"It's lonely in last place," lamented 2B Rex Hudler, veteran leader of the 54-68 club.Ê The Bums seem destined to miss the playoffs for the second straight year, with 40 games remaining and a 16-game deficit to the Sacramento River Otters.
"What's wrong?" asked new skipper Tony LaRussa. "There are too many guys with not enough experience here, and not enough offensive sparks.Ê Brian Jordan and Willie Adams can't carry the team by themselves."Ê
Indeed, the Bums' leadoff hitter and ace pitcher are two of the few highlights of the Bums' worst start ever.Ê Jordan, who until recently was flirting with the .300 mark for most of the season, and Willie Adams, who has won 14 of the Bums' 54 victories and sports a 2.36 ERA, have led a mostly nondescript cast of characters.
"This team is clearly in transition," said pitching coach Pete Vukovich, retained by LaRussa along with the rest of the coaching staff.Ê "Some of the truly bright spots are the young pitchers we've brought into the organization, most notably Kelvim Escobar.Ê He will dominate someday."
Escobar seems to be well on his way -- in just his first season, he is the Bums' best starter other than Adams, with a 2.97 ERA and a 10-6 record in 23 starts.
"I'm impressed with Harry Hoch, our young first baseman," said LaRussa.Ê "He's a real gamer and has dealt with our tough times with poise."Ê Hoch has hit 8 home runs and stolen 14 bases in 112 games.
The Bums have made no secret of their disappointment with most of the rest of the team.Ê Mike Kinkade has been a disappointment at the plate; he was expected to hit for better than a .231 average.Ê Dante Bichette and Phil Nevin have put up average numbers, but both have missed significant time with injuries, and Bichette is nowhere near the power threat he was promised to be.Ê Dave Hollins and Gregg Jefferies have produced less than they are accustomed to, and Jim Collins has largely been a bust at the plate in his first year of significant playing time.Ê
Veterans Tom Pagnozzi and Rex Hudler have picked up some late-season slack, but it may be too little, too late.
On the other side of the ball, both Ismael Valdes and Chad Ogea have had subpar years.Ê After starting so promisingly at 6-0, making the Lopez trade look really good, Ogea lost 12 straight decisions and was pulled from the rotation.Ê Valdes, who seems to be the victim of a lack of run support with a 3.31 ERA but an 8-11 record, has an unusually high opponent batting average (.271) and has given up 19 home runs.Ê "My control has been there, most of the time," said Valdes, who has struck out 114 and walked just 29, "but people have been guessing right on my changeup more than they did before."
The solution for now is to wait and continue rebuilding, says team owner and GM Jason Gohlke.Ê "I'm confident that many of these young players will start hitting their stride within the next few years, and you'll see a lot more new faces around here as well," stated Gohlke.
