Nanner
06-03-2003, 10:17 AM
Seems he doesn't like it. Well, since he spends all his time in the Junior Circuit.... :D..... I can see why. Pitchers in the lineup. That's my idea of real baseball. :D Hate the DH thing.
06/02/2003 5:14 PM ET
Hargrove challenged by Interleague
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- While Mike Hargrove gets an opportunity to return to his native state, eat at some of the country's best steakhouses and enjoy the Texas heat, he does not relish the Orioles' next three games in Houston.
Hargrove said Major League Baseball hasn't asked his opinion on Interleague Play -- or at least he hasn't gotten the message -- so his thoughts don't really make a difference. But since you asked...
"Interleague is not fair to the American League team in National League parks because it robs them of the designated hitter," he said. "That's usually one of your best hitters. I have said a number of times that the American League teams are at a disadvantage. But nobody wants to listen to me."
Hargrove said he has never been thrilled with Interleague, but he is intrigued by the challenge of shuffling his lineup for games at Houston and St. Louis. Interleague games at National League parks go by National League rules, so Orioles pitchers will bat, replacing the DH.
After spending the past week watching his pitchers attempt to swing the bat, Hargrove became even more pessimistic about Interleague.
"I called Pat Hentgen abysmal the other day and he came into the office the next day and showed me his stats," Hargrove said. "He was something like 9 for 78, so I take that abysmal back. I'll say awful."
But in all seriousness, Hargrove has some quandaries for the next six games. The Orioles do not want to lose DH David Segui's bat, but unless they want the injury-prone Segui at first base, they will have to.
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/photo/ph_play_mugshot_206551.jpg
Melvin Mora / LF
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hargrove could put Segui at first base, Jeff Conine in left field and move Melvin Mora to center, but that means Luis Matos would have to sit. That would rob the club of its hottest hitter. Matos is 18-for-36 since being recalled from Triple-A Ottawa, a reason the offense has flourished the past two weeks.
"It's hard to take a .500 hitter out of the lineup," Hargrove said.
When B.J. Surhoff was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, he did not play because Hargrove did not want to tinker with the offensive chemistry. So the club is hoping that a pitcher in the lineup does not short circuit the offensive momentum.
The Orioles hit .289 in May, their best month since .308 in June 1999. After rough Aprils, Mora hit .379 in May while Deivi Cruz batted .280. So the offense appears ready for games at homer-friendly Minute Maid Park.
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/photo/ph_play_mugshot_122989.jpg
B.J. Surhoff / OF
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200
Bats/Throws: L/R
"It's always fun playing new parks," right fielder Jay Gibbons said. "I think that's the fun part of Interleague. Most of us have never played in Houston and St. Louis and you see these parks on TV and wonder what they are like."
The Orioles are in the midst of a division race entering a stretch of 12 games against National League Central teams. And they did not get any breaks. The Orioles do not play Pittsburgh or Cincinnati, which are both below .500. After the O's play the Astros and Cardinals, the first-place Chicago Cubs come to Camden Yards.
Later this month, the Orioles also play three at Atlanta, which sports the NL's best record, and host Philadelphia, which is competing for a wild-card spot.
"You have to get past the novelty of playing against new teams and realize they want to beat you," Gibbons said. "We have some tough games ahead."
Baltimore hitters should enjoy the short left-field dimensions at Minute Maid Park, but its outfielders probably haven't played in a center field with a hill and flagpole. That won't be easy to maneuver, just ask Lance Berkman.
But there remains an excitement for Interleague Play, according to Hargrove.
"I would say it's probably here to stay," he said. "I think a little bit of the novelty has worn off, but that's not a bad thing."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
06/02/2003 5:14 PM ET
Hargrove challenged by Interleague
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- While Mike Hargrove gets an opportunity to return to his native state, eat at some of the country's best steakhouses and enjoy the Texas heat, he does not relish the Orioles' next three games in Houston.
Hargrove said Major League Baseball hasn't asked his opinion on Interleague Play -- or at least he hasn't gotten the message -- so his thoughts don't really make a difference. But since you asked...
"Interleague is not fair to the American League team in National League parks because it robs them of the designated hitter," he said. "That's usually one of your best hitters. I have said a number of times that the American League teams are at a disadvantage. But nobody wants to listen to me."
Hargrove said he has never been thrilled with Interleague, but he is intrigued by the challenge of shuffling his lineup for games at Houston and St. Louis. Interleague games at National League parks go by National League rules, so Orioles pitchers will bat, replacing the DH.
After spending the past week watching his pitchers attempt to swing the bat, Hargrove became even more pessimistic about Interleague.
"I called Pat Hentgen abysmal the other day and he came into the office the next day and showed me his stats," Hargrove said. "He was something like 9 for 78, so I take that abysmal back. I'll say awful."
But in all seriousness, Hargrove has some quandaries for the next six games. The Orioles do not want to lose DH David Segui's bat, but unless they want the injury-prone Segui at first base, they will have to.
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/photo/ph_play_mugshot_206551.jpg
Melvin Mora / LF
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hargrove could put Segui at first base, Jeff Conine in left field and move Melvin Mora to center, but that means Luis Matos would have to sit. That would rob the club of its hottest hitter. Matos is 18-for-36 since being recalled from Triple-A Ottawa, a reason the offense has flourished the past two weeks.
"It's hard to take a .500 hitter out of the lineup," Hargrove said.
When B.J. Surhoff was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, he did not play because Hargrove did not want to tinker with the offensive chemistry. So the club is hoping that a pitcher in the lineup does not short circuit the offensive momentum.
The Orioles hit .289 in May, their best month since .308 in June 1999. After rough Aprils, Mora hit .379 in May while Deivi Cruz batted .280. So the offense appears ready for games at homer-friendly Minute Maid Park.
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/photo/ph_play_mugshot_122989.jpg
B.J. Surhoff / OF
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200
Bats/Throws: L/R
"It's always fun playing new parks," right fielder Jay Gibbons said. "I think that's the fun part of Interleague. Most of us have never played in Houston and St. Louis and you see these parks on TV and wonder what they are like."
The Orioles are in the midst of a division race entering a stretch of 12 games against National League Central teams. And they did not get any breaks. The Orioles do not play Pittsburgh or Cincinnati, which are both below .500. After the O's play the Astros and Cardinals, the first-place Chicago Cubs come to Camden Yards.
Later this month, the Orioles also play three at Atlanta, which sports the NL's best record, and host Philadelphia, which is competing for a wild-card spot.
"You have to get past the novelty of playing against new teams and realize they want to beat you," Gibbons said. "We have some tough games ahead."
Baltimore hitters should enjoy the short left-field dimensions at Minute Maid Park, but its outfielders probably haven't played in a center field with a hill and flagpole. That won't be easy to maneuver, just ask Lance Berkman.
But there remains an excitement for Interleague Play, according to Hargrove.
"I would say it's probably here to stay," he said. "I think a little bit of the novelty has worn off, but that's not a bad thing."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.