THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507260523
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
The heat that is wilting most of Hampton Roads is bearing down on professional baseball players, too.
Norfolk Tides pitcher Pete Walker was hospitalized late Monday for dehydration after throwing 1 2/3 innings against Columbus. He collapsed on the field and was taken by ambulance from Harbor Park to a Norfolk hospital, where he received fluids intravenously.
Temperature at game time Monday was 97 degrees and the humidity seemed just as high. It was 94 degrees Tuesday, and temperatures in the 90s are expected the rest of the week.
``He just got overheated and dehydrated,'' Tides trainer Joe Hawkins said. ``We had him stay home today as a precautionary measure and take it easy where it's nice and cool. Tomorrow we'll have him back out to throw and see how he does.
``So many guys forget how the heat can affect them. They think they're athletes and in great shape. I keep telling them you can't pound down coffee and soda before the game, things that make it difficult to hydrate.''
``There's no secret to beating the heat,'' Tides manager Toby Harrah added. ``You drink water.''
STRAWBERRY UPDATE: Darryl Strawberry insists he isn't worried because he's playing in Norfolk this week instead of New York. Strawberry was all smiles as he signed autographs for fans and conducted interviews with the media.
Tuesday, he was 0 for 4 with a run scored, after hitting two home runs Monday.
Bill Goodstein, Strawberry's agent, spent part of his day at the baseball players' union offices in Manhattan working on Strawberry's major league contract, trying to avoid some of the conditions Steinbrenner was seeking.
These included wanting Strawberry's children to be subjected to drug tests as the beneficiaries of a trust from his salary, and the right to release him if he faltered in an agreement the owner wanted him to establish with the IRS.
Goodstein said he had dropped his threat to ask the players' union to file a grievance about the Yankees' handling of Strawberry's contract.
It is evident that portions of Strawberry's $675,000 salary will be allocated to repaying his taxes and setting aside money for his children, and Goodstein will be responsible for deciding how and where the money is distributed.
Strawberry could receive a $100,000 bonus at Steinbrenner's discretion and would get a $175,000 buyout if the Yankees do not pick up a $1.8 million option for 1996.
OTERO RETURNS: Outfielder Ricky Otero has been sent back to the Tides by the New York Mets to replace Carl Everett, who was called up Monday. Otero began the season with the Mets, was sent down to Norfolk, recalled again and now is down once more.
He hit .137 in 35 games with the Mets. He's hitting .262 with 11 RBIs and nine stolen bases for Norfolk. MEMO: The New York Times contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON, Staff
Darryl Strawberry walks after his first-inning strikeout. He was 0
for 4 Tuesday with a walk.
by CNB