THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140485
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The botched pickoff play might have helped bring the offseason to Norfolk Tides pitcher Eric Ludwick one day sooner. But Ludwick, who launched the bad throw past second that centerfielder Jay Payton overran for a critical run-scoring error in the Game 3 loss, has been successful enough this season to leave that momentary failure in his dust.
Ludwick, considered the Mets minor league pitcher who progressed the most this year, will head to New York for the first time this weekend. At Shea Stadium, he'll pick up the Doubleday Award given to the top performer at Double-A Binghamton.
Then, basking in his 12-5 mark and 2.95 ERA at Binghamton, he'll return home to Las Vegas and have a formal wedding performed with his new Australian bride, Monica. The couple met last winter when Ludwick played in Melbourne and Monica worked in public relations for the club. They were married at Binghamton city hall in July.
Ludwick, 23, wouldn't be a competitive athlete, though, if the memory of that ball rolling under Payton's glove doesn't pop up occasionally over his vacation.
``Trust me, I thought about it 1,000 times last night,'' Ludwick said Wednesday before Game 4 of the International League playoffs. ``Normally, I'm pretty good at that play. And 99 times out of 100, Jay goes to one knee and stops the ball. It was a bad break. It's tough to accept.''
The real galling part is that, when shortstop Rey Ordonez called for the pickoff, there were two outs, pitcher Barry Manuel was the baserunner and Ludwick had a 2-2 count on Chris Martin, who had meekly grounded out twice.
``I think I broke his bat twice, too,'' Ludwick said. ``Next time I'd be more aware of who the hitter is. I would probably just step off. I just reacted.''
Ludwick, a No. 2 pick out of Nevada-Las Vegas two years ago and a probable addition to the Mets' 40-man roster this winter, responded to a 7-13 record and 4.55 ERA in Class-A in '94 by returning to his roots. That is, he ditched the mechanical tinkerings the Mets had made supposedly to exploit his 6-foot-5 frame and went back to what was comfortable. His fastball soared back into the 90-plus-mph range and his confidence followed.
A likely Tide in '96, Ludwick said, ``I think I'm capable of having the same year next year.'' Minus one ill-timed pickoff toss, preferrably.
WINTER WORK: The Mets are sending a gaggle of players, including many current and ex-Tides, all over the globe for winter ball. Alex Ochoa and Jay Payton, expected to compete for jobs in the Mets outfield in spring training, will play in the Dominican Republic, where the Mets also are sending pitchers Paul Byrd and Pete Walker and possibly Butch Huskey, the IL's MVP.
Carl Everett is slated to play in Venezuela and Kevin Morgan will play in Australia. Arizona will feature six Mets prospects: Aaron Ledesma, Charlie Greene, Robert Person, Jason Hardtke, Derek Wallace and Double-A pitcher Brian Edmondson.
SERIES NOTABLES: Aaron Ledesma, who had been out with a strained quadriceps, made it back into the Tides lineup at first base Wednesday. And while infielder Edwin Alicea remained sidelined with an ankle problem, rightfielder Alex Ochoa also couldn't start because of his vain dive into the plate Tuesday on which he cut his left hand and sprained his wrist. Dives into home and first used to draw $100 fines in the Mets chain when Gerry Hunsicker, now a club vice president, was farm director. ... The Governors' Cup trophy arrived on the Tides' flight Tuesday, but in two pieces. The ballplayer perched on the trophy's top had broken off and needed a quick welding job. ... Much has been made in the Ottawa media about the Lynx having the chance to win this city's first pro sports championship since 1976 when the Ottawa Rough Riders took the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup. ... Lynx catcher Bert Heffernan began the season as an Expos replacement player, then became the Lynx first base coach before being activated as an emergency reserve in June. He batted .216 in the regular season but won the final game of the first-round series against Rochester with a ninth-inning hit and took a .400 postseason average into Game 4. by CNB