THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 4, 1995 TAG: 9506040158
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
The next time he goes up to the major leagues, to stay he hopes, Terry Bradshaw might appreciate a uniform number other than 55. It isn't what fleet, young centerfielders are sporting these days.
Then again, Bradshaw said, does it really matter? Make it triple digits. Big deal. It's a big-league uniform, right? How many kids from Zuni or Norfolk State University can say they've worn one of those?
At last count - one. A sixth-year pro, Bradshaw, 26, spent a few days with the St. Louis Cardinals last month before being shipped back to Triple-A Louisville.
Bradshaw, given the number that was handy, pinch-hit three times against the Houston Astros. He singled each time and stole one base as he became the first player from South Hampton Roads to reach the majors since Virginia Beach's D.J. Dozier played in 25 games for the New York Mets in 1992.
Ol' No. 55 with the 1.000 batting average - he's No. 41 in Louisville - was on a plane to Triple-A in four days, but he knew in advance his first visit would be brief. It was long enough, though, to leave him practically speechless.
``I can't really explain my feelings,'' Bradshaw, the Cardinals' 10th-round draft pick in 1990, said last week. ``Words can't explain it. I guess I was just in a daze for those four days. To get a taste of it gives you incentive to work even harder. There's no other place to be but the big leagues.''
Suitably inspired, Bradshaw returned to Louisville and was named the American Association's hitter of the week from May 21-27, going 14 for 33 (.424) with five doubles, two triples and a home run.
Through last Thursday, Bradshaw had a .266 average with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 34 games, batting from a new position in the order, third.
Usually a leadoff man, Bradshaw calls the switch a challenge to him to produce more runs.
``I'm excited about it,'' he said. ``I want to be able to look in the mirror after the season and tell myself I could hit in that spot.''
The reflection Bradshaw's friends and family in Zuni already see is a proud one.
When he's not playing winter ball, Bradshaw still spends the off-season at his mother's home and gets plenty of encouragement around town.
``Yeah, everybody's on my side, all excited,'' Bradshaw said. ``People who don't know a lot about the situation ask me, `When you gonna be a pro?,' not knowing I'm already a pro. But I know what they're saying.''
They're talking about getting on TV, getting there and staying. Bradshaw wonders that, too.
Wonder, in fact, has become a large part of Bradshaw's career, which includes an idle 1992 season because of knee surgery.
``Going up there, it's what you've been working for ever since you've put a uniform on,'' Bradshaw said. ``Being there in St. Louis and thinking about the hard times and all the bus trips you took in A ball, I was just so hyped and intense.''
He is at a special point, so close, and so eager to climb some more.
``It's all about putting in your time,'' Bradshaw said, ``and doing what you have to do when you get in there.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Terry Bradshaw, a standout from Zuni and Norfolk State, had a brief
stay in the big leagues.
by CNB