Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 23, 1993 TAG: 9305230035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
The Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander let his emotions flow in a news conference on April 26, 1990, the night before he faced the reconstructive shoulder surgery that jeopardized his career.
He cried publicly again 13 months later as he strode to the mound to make his first pitch in the majors following the operation performed by Dr. Frank Jobe. The enormity of the comeback had taken over his emotions, and he didn't care who saw it.
But Friday night, after earning his first shutout in four seasons with a five-hit, 8-0 triumph over the Colorado Rockies, Hershiser remained stoic.
"I'm over the ecstasy and the goose bump part of it," he said. "I'm more into putting up some numbers, progressing and being a part of this club. It's nice to have the shutout, but my next start is against San Diego and I'm already thinking about them."
Hershiser has channeled all his emotions into sheer determination. He wants to return to his form of 1988, when he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game.
"The man knows what he's doing," Dodger center fielder Brett Butler said. "He's throwing the ball as well as he ever has, and it's easy to play behind someone like that."
The injury made Hershiser's nine scoreless innings Friday almost as significant an accomplishment as the 59 consecutive scoreless innings he strung together in 1988 to lock up the Cy Young Award.
"I think it's an outstanding milestone," Hershiser said of his 24th career shutout and first in his last 82 starts. "If anybody ever does a chronological thing, I think this would make it for sure."
Hershiser went 55 starts between complete games before beating San Diego 2-1 at Dodger Stadium with a five-hitter last Aug. 2. Friday night, he finally snapped the shutout drought with his first since June 25, 1989, when he scattered 11 hits in a 7-0 triumph at Cincinnati.
"I've seen him with better stuff, but I liked the way he was aggressive and took control of the game," catcher Mike Piazza said of Hershiser's seven strikeout, no-walk performance. "When it was getting a little later in the game, I'm sure he smelled it a little bit and didn't let up at all."
Hershiser didn't let the opportunity go by without thanking Jobe and Dodger team therapist Pat Screnar for getting him this far.
"I feel like all the hard work, all the weight we have lifted and all the expertise from Pat Screnar and Dr. Jobe that went into this has really made it successful," he said.
The 1988 World Series and playoff MVP felt a sense of accomplishment last season, when he reached the 200-inning mark for the sixth time in his career and finished with 130 strikeouts and a 3.67 ERA - despite leading the majors with 15 losses.
Although he has been erratic at times this year, Hershiser also has displayed flashes of his 1988 form. He has allowed only six earned runs in his five victories - the same number he surrendered in each of his previous two defeats.
"There have been times where we've booted the ball behind him and he didn't say anything," Butler said.
by CNB