THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 11, 1995 TAG: 9508110047
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Any more promotions from the Tides to the Mets during the minor league season should not involve the Tides' big hitter Butch Huskey, according to Mets minor league director Steve Phillips.
Huskey, with 28 home runs before Thursday's game, is one home run away from Randy Milligan's club record and his 86 RBIs are closing in on Clint Hurdle's record of 105 set in 1983. But Phillips, while praising Huskey's re-entry into the prospect mode after last year's 10-home-run, 57-RBI disappointment, said it will be better for everybody if Huskey remains with the Tides through the playoffs.
``If we sent Butch to the major leagues we'd want him to play every day,'' and that isn't available at the moment, Phillips said. ``We've told Butch this. He's having a lot of success and we want him to continue to build on that, finish the season on a positive note and become part of the mix next year.''
Huskey said he is at ease with that decision, though lately he has found himself repeatedly addressing the issue from inquisitive fans.
``I really don't know what to tell them,'' he said. ``I guess they just have to understand the system, understand baseball, the way things happen sometimes. It bothers other people more than it bothers me. . . . Sooner or later I'm gonna be in a (big league) uniform.''
ANY MORE MOVES?: Phillips said two of the four Mets on the disabled list are close to being activated. So the Tides can expect to get catcher Alberto Castillo back when Todd Hundley comes off and a position player, perhaps Aaron Ledesma, when Ryan Thompson returns.
Pitchers Pete Harnisch (shoulder) and Blas Minor (rib) are facing longer stays on the DL.
As far as receiving help from below, Phillips said some arrivals from Double-A are possible. The Tides have 23 players, two below the maximum. Likely candidates for promotion, Phillips said, are pitcher Eric Ludwick, who is 11-5, second baseman Jason Hardtke and outfielder Jeff Barry, both of whom began the season with the Tides, and shortstop Kevin Morgan.
THE SHORT LIST: It has been reported in New York that Dave Telgheder, Double-A outfielder Jay Davis and Tides Ricky Otero and Jimmy Williams are included on a list from which the Baltimore Orioles will select a player to complete the trade for Bobby Bonilla.
Otero, for one, said he doesn't know that he's on any list, but he wouldn't care if he was.
``I play hard, in New York, wherever,'' Otero said. ``Make some money, have some fun, win the game. No matter.''
FOODBANK SUPPORT: The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank received checks for $5,000 before Thursday's game from the Tides and Mr. Goodwrench dealers in Hampton Roads.
The Tides-Goodwrench partnership has put $25,000 into local foodbanks the last three years. by CNB