THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607260629
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 54 lines
Pop quiz: Which Norfolk Tide played in the Olympics?
Clue No. 1: He didn't play for the United States.
Clue No. 2: He'll be pitching for the Tides tonight when they take on the Columbus Clippers, hoping he does as well as he did some 12 years ago against Japan.
Mike Gardiner was a 19-year-old rising sophomore at Indiana State when he was given the ball against the Japanese squad in the Los Angeles Olympics.
``I remember it vividly,'' the Ontario-born Gardiner said recently while watching NBC's telecast of the Atlanta Olympics in the Tides' clubhouse. ``I went 7 2/3 innings, threw 111 pitches, 100 of them fastballs, and gave up seven hits.''
Canada had been mathematically eliminated from medal contention by then, losing to Nicaragua, 4-3, and Korea, 3-1, before playing Japan.
Their 7-4 victory that day gave the Canadians a measure of respect. The Japanese went on to win gold that year, beating a heavily favored Team USA - featuring Mark McGwire, Will Clark and Barry Larkin - in the final 6-3 when baseball was still an Olympic demonstration sport.
Gardiner was oblivious to the magnitude of his accomplishment.
``At the time, I didn't know how big it was, I didn't know Japan was that good,'' Gardiner said.
Gardiner won't be the only member of that Canadian National team taking the field at Harbor Park tonight. Clippers third base coach Rob Thomson caught Gardiner that day.
ACQUISITION: The Tides on Thursday called up relief pitcher Hector Ramirez from Double-A Binghamton. The 24-year-old righthander has been used as a middle reliever and has a 1-5 record with two saves and a 5.57 ERA.
The Tides will likely carry 12 pitchers on their 23-player roster, one more than usual, through next week's series at Ottawa, which has back-to-back doubleheaders scheduled.
TIDAL WAVES: Baseball America has released the results of its annual ``Tools of the Trade'' polls for each of pro baseball's levels and former Tides rightfielder Alex Ochoa was the big winer. Ochoa, promoted to the New York Mets since the poll was conducted, was named the International League's best batting prospect, best outfield arm and most exciting player. Other Tides earning nods were Gardiner (best control), Derek Wallace (best relief pitcher), Alberto Castillo (best defensive catcher) and Roberto Petagine (best defensive first baseman).
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL: On Friday, the Tides will give away $1,000 worth of Be-Lo gift certificates to 20 drawing winners. . . . Saturday's game will be preceded by a 4 p.m. concert by Beatlemania, with gates opening at 3:30. . . . On Sunday, the Tides will give away baseballs with printed Tides signatures to the first 3,500 fans under age 18. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Mike Gardiner didn't win a medal in '84, but beat the Japanese. by CNB