THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 4, 1994 TAG: 9407040144
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Jim Duquette acknowledges that his name helped open baseball's doors to him. But if he's to rise to the height of his cousin Dan Duquette, general manager of the Boston Red Sox, his job performance will be what takes him there.
``In baseball, certainly any kind of name dropping helps, any kind of contacts you have,'' said Duquette, the Mets' assistant director of minor leagues. ``I think that had something to do with it, in terms of getting my foot in the door. That's really what you want to do is get your initial job in baseball.''
Dan Duquette, 36, is one of the game's younger star executives who was lured away from the Montreal Expos last winter by his dream job. Raised in Dalton, Mass., a couple blocks from Jim, Dan jumped at the chance to run New England's team.
Likewise, Jim, a former Puma sales representative, was eager for a chance to get into baseball after his conversations with his cousin, who put in a good word for him with the Mets two years ago.
From here, going back home and working for Jim and the Red Sox would be a kick, Duquette said.
``I think down the road it would be fun to work for him,'' Duquette said. ``You can't get any more loyal than family, but for my own personal goal of becoming a general manager, I certainly wouldn't want to see the boss fail.''
JACOME LOOKS READY: It was all the Tides' field staff could do to get lefthander Jason Jacome to start the season in Triple-A rather than Double-A, pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. But less than three months later, the 23-year-old debuted in the majors Saturday night by giving up two runs and striking out six in six innings against the San Diego Padres.
Though he allowed 151 baserunners in 102 innings and the league batted .294 against him, Jacome was 7-4 with a 2.63 ERA when he got the unexpected call following Dwight Gooden's suspension.
If he is in over his head, though, he didn't show it Saturday.
``He looked like the same kid, very composed, not afraid to throw his changeup,'' Apodaca said.
A RARITY: A couple games ago, speedy outfielder Doug Dascenzo was removed in the ninth inning for, of all things, a pinch-runner, Pat Howell. Dascenzo said he couldn't remember that happening to him before, but that he commended manager Bobby Valentine for an astute move.
``(Howell's) faster than I am, he's the tying run,'' Dascenzo said. ``We may need that one or two steps at home plate. We're trying to tie the game up, so I have no problem with that at all.''
SEE YOU LATER: The Tides begin a road trip today in Pawtucket at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on WTKR. The Tides do not return to Harbor Park until July 16 against Richmond. by CNB