Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 13, 1993 TAG: 9310130123
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium
"It's still on TV all of the time, on TBS before Braves' games and on CBS now before the playoffs," Bream said, "but I don't need that to see it."
A year ago tomorrow, the most memorable run in Atlanta Braves' history was scored by a man who couldn't run. Bream raced - er, chugged - home from second on Francisco Cabrera's pinch single - ahead of Barry Bonds throw and Mike LaValliere's tag - in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against Pittsburgh, finishing a three-run Atlanta rally and clinching the National League pennant.
Before Game 4 of this year's NLCS, about 10 yards from where he slid into baseball lore, Bream stopped during batting practice to sign several photo-posters of the play.
Barring another miracle on the diamond as the Braves and Philadelphia play Game 6 of the NLCS today at Veterans Stadium, Bream will finish this championship series on the seat of his pants, too. That's where the similarities end.
It's hard to be a hero when you're in the dugout.
Just as crucial as Oct. 14, 1992 in Bream's career was July 20, 1993. That's the date the Braves made a steal of a deal and acquired first baseman Fred McGriff from San Diego.
Suddenly, Atlanta was charging for the NL West title. Suddenly, Bream was forgotten, but not gone.
"Imagine if someone came up to you where you work and said, `We're replacing you, and you're going to sit and watch this guy do your job,' " Bream said. "How would you feel?"
Bream already knew the answer to that Crime Dog-bites-man question. Lousy. He doesn't know whether to feel bitter or betrayed.
A religious man, Bream sits at his locker and reads the Bible. He likes the verses about humility and pride. His autographs are underlined by "Romans 10:9." That's the verse from St. Paul's epistle that promises faith will bring salvation.
"The Lord decided that this would happen," said Bream, the former Liberty University star. "That doesn't mean it isn't tough to accept. It's not easy to sit, especially at this time of the year, especially when you've been so much a part of it, as I have.
"What's even more difficult is hearing the comments by people that have been made since the trade. That's the human part of it, and I'm human like anyone else."
While McGriff has scorched opposing pitchers and taken the heat off other run producers in the Braves' lineup, the chorus grew that Atlanta couldn't have overtaken San Francisco in the NL West without McGriff.
They're probably right. However, the franchise won two pennants with Bream as the primary first baseman. When he singled in Game 2 after the Atlanta rout already was won, he became the first player to perform in four consecutive NL Championship Series.
That hit, however, is his only at-bat as the Phillies have taken a 3-2 lead. In the last 11 weeks of the season, Bream batted only 34 times, but he had 14 hits (.412) and eight RBI. As a pinch hitter, he was a superb 10-for-29.
"That's the toughest job there is in baseball," said the mustaschioed Pennsylvania native.
His nine-year career with Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Atlanta has survived four surgeries on his right knee. He's 33. His contract is up. Is that all there is?
"Are my days with the Braves over? In my own mind, most likely, yes," he said. "Will I play somewhere else? I hope so, but that's not up to me. The Lord has allowed me to achieve this much in the game. He'll decide what's next."
Bream heard the McGriff rumors like everyone else. When he asked manager Bobby Cox about his situation, the Braves' skipper told him that if no deal was done by the All-Star break, it wouldn't happen.
One week after that, it did.
"Things like this have always been a part of the game," Bream said. "The owners and the clubs always complain about players' lack of loyalty, but it's a two-way street. We're nothing but numbers to them.
"Pride-wise, everything that happened was tough to get over. You get up in the morning and you come to the ballpark and you go out and give your best.
"I asked myself who I was really playing for. It wasn't for the Braves. It wasn't for the fans. It was for the Lord, for my family, for myself."
The worst part is that Bream had to take this sitting down. His position is gone, his career is rounding third, heading for home . . . but, thankfully, his memories are safe.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB