THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 18, 1994 TAG: 9408180685
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Tides Report
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
The major league players' strike might help many of the Norfolk Tides in the long run, but the cancellation of possible September call-ups makes the short term less thrilling for some.
Reliever Pete Walker, for instance. After a trial-filled journey back to full strength after his March elbow injury, Walker faces merely a trip back home to Connecticut in early September rather than his first 30-or-so days in the majors.
``My concern was getting my feet wet this year, getting some experience because I really feel like I can be in contention for a job next year,'' Walker said. ``My main objective was to get some time in, but it's not working out that way so far. It's been very disappointing.''
As Walker watched the pre-strike clouds form, though, his performance began to shine. After an inconsistent start following his arrival with the Tides on May 16, Walker has turned in some impressive outings in the past month. Overall, Walker is 2-2 with a 3.62 ERA. In 37 1/3 innings, he has walked 21, but struck out 32.
``In my mind I felt I had a real good chance of being up there,'' Walker said. ``There's not much you can say really, it's just a disappointing feeling.
``I'm happy with the way it's ending right now. It could've been a lot worse. I'm happy with how I'm feeling and throwing the ball, more than anything else.''
Another young player on the 40-man roster, second baseman Quilvio Veras, is in similar danger of having his first major league look denied.
But Veras says he hasn't thought much about it.
``You never know what's going on,'' Veras said. ``If they call me up fine, if they don't, fine. I've got plenty of time to play. I want to finish hard here, hit .270, try to make it a good season.''
PLUNKED AGAIN: Infielder Fernando Vina, who leads the National League by being hit with a pitch 12 times, was nailed for the first time as a Tide his first time up Wednesday.
It's one of the quirks of a season that has had its share of satisfaction and disappointment for Vina, who had just 124 official at-bats in 78 games, in which he batted .250.
It was his first full season in the majors - he spent a few months with the Seattle Mariners last year - which came after he made the Mets as a non-roster player in spring training.
It is to be determined how much this latest plunking will affect him and the Tides.
Columbus' Mark Carper drilled Vina in the right ankle in the first inning and Vina was replaced at shortstop in the top of the third by Greg Graham.
MEDICAL REPORT: Catcher Brook Fordyce had plastic surgery Monday to correct the hole in his left knee created by the staph infection he picked up in June. Fordyce was on the disabled list from June 19 to July 2, then was sidelined for the season July 19.
Also, shortstop Aaron Ledesma was in New York on Wednesday having his right shoulder checked by Mets team doctor David Altchek. Ledesma, who had shoulder surgery last season, has not played the field since Aug. 8, though he was the designated hitter Aug. 12 in Toledo. by CNB