Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 21, 1995 TAG: 9504210129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
General manager Doug Melvin said third-base coach Jerry Narron has been named acting manager.
``I spoke with Johnny today, and he indicated that, after consulting with the doctors, he feels he needs up to two more weeks to deal with Gloria's illness,'' Melvin said. ``I have granted Johnny's request for the leave of absence, and join with the entire organization and all Rangers fans in sending our thoughts and prayers to Gloria, Johnny and their family.''
Oates left the club Friday night because of his wife's illness and has missed the last six preseason games. He was appointed Rangers manager on Oct.19 after four seasons guiding the Baltimore Orioles.
Gloria Oates' illness has not been detailed. Oates, in a statement from his home in Colonial Heights, Va., said he must put his wife's health ahead of baseball, and that doctors have diagnosed her to be ``exhausted, emotionally and physically.''
``She is under hospital care at this time and the doctors have recommended I continue to be with her for 10 to 14 days to assure complete recovery in the future.''
Narron joined the Rangers as third-base coach a week after Oates was hired. He coached for Oates in Baltimore in 1993 and 1994 and was a manager in the Orioles' farm system in 1989-92.
Dugout coach Bucky Dent will coach third base during this period.
In other baseball news, a 17-year-old from the Dominican Republic showed best how baseball can sell itself on the day baseball owners announced their new advertising campaign.
Eddy Martinez ran through a stop sign from third-base coach Steve Boros and slid in head first for an inside-the-park grand slam as the Baltimore Orioles routed the Boston Red Sox 15-5 at Fort Myers, Fla.
``I saw the sign but kept going. I wanted a home run,'' he said through an interpreter - third baseman Leo Gomez.
Martinez, 2-for-6 with five RBI this spring, is headed to the minor leagues. He's a shortstop, and the Orioles don't need to rush him, not as long as Cal Ripken is still around.
``The kid's going to be an outstanding player with a little experience,'' Orioles manager Phil Regan said. ``It's amazing that a 17-year-old kid can come in and do what he's done.''
With the season set to start Tuesday, baseball owners announced their new slogan: ``Welcome to the Show.'' The campaign was developed by the ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners of San Francisco.
``We wanted people to refocus on what they liked about baseball and on what makes this game unique and different from other kinds of sports,'' said Jeff Goodby, co-creative director for the ad agency.
The campaign probably won't mention the lockout of umpires, which began Jan. 1. No progress was made Thursday, only five days before Opening Day.
``I remain pessimistic, but hopeful,'' management negotiator Robert Kheel said.
Back on the field, Andy Van Slyke went 1-for-3 with a two-run single in the Orioles' victory. The 34-year-old outfielder, in camp as a non-roster player, probably will sign with Baltimore, perhaps as soon as today.
``I said I wanted to see if he's healthy,'' Regan said. ``Well, he looks healthy to me.''
On the injury front, Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens will stay in Florida for extended spring training and probably rejoin the team for Boston's second homestand, which begins May 9. He's been bothered by tendinitis in his right shoulder.
``If it's some time before that, that would be a bonus,'' manager Kevin Kennedy said.
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, Pittsburgh's postseason hero as a rookie in 1992, a former Salem Buccaneer, was released by the Pirates. He has struggled since his rookie year and spent all of last season in the minor leagues.
``The city of Pittsburgh means a lot to me and I wanted to finish my career there,'' Wakefield said, his eyes reddening. ``The Pirates gave me every opportunity to prove myself these last years and I didn't produce.''
Cleveland was hit with an injury, losing pitcher Willie Smith for the season with a ruptured ligament in his right elbow. In his only appearance this spring, Smith pitched three hitless innings. Smith will have a tendon transplanted from his left wrist into the elbow.
``He complained of stiffness. We sent him for an MRI [Wednesday], and that's the report we got,'' general manager John Hart said.
Pittsburgh placed left-hander Steve Cooke and right-hander Rick White on the 15-day disabled list. Cooke has bursitis in his left shoulder, and White has a sprained ligament in his right elbow.
At Plant City, Fla., Cincinnati put pitcher Mike Jackson on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder.
Texas placed pitcher Hector Fajardo on the restricted list after the Mexican failed to pick up an entry visa.
Fajardo told club officials earlier in the week he would delay coming to Florida because of his father's health problems. He was expected to report to camp today.
``The visa is ready in Mexico City,'' general manager Doug Melvin said. ``He has not attempted to pick it up.''
At Fort Myers, Fla., some former replacement players made news. Shortstop Randy Brown and center fielder Ron Mahay, minor leaguers whose careers were stagnating before they agreed to play in replacement exhibition games, were flown in by Boston from Triple-A Pawtucket.
``I feel for the [replacement] guys. They're in a bad situation - again,'' Red Sox outfielder Mike Greenwell said. ``Time heals all wounds and there really hasn't been much time yet. If this had happened next spring, I don't think it would be a problem.''
Among free agents, catcher Brian Harper agreed to a minor-league deal with Oakland Athletiscs. If he makes the team, he would get a $225,000 contract and the chance to make $75,000 in bonuses.
Pitcher Pat Hengen and Toronto agreed to a $6.75 million, three-year contract.
American League Rookie of the Year Bob Hamelin and Kansas City agreed to a $435,000, one year deal, a raise of $325,000.
by CNB