Nanner
02-01-2002, 07:10 PM
I can't help it. It seems to be the biggest Orioles news out of Baltimore, and the more I read about him, the more I like him! Seems like he can be a real leader in the clubhouse, and he's actually happy to be with the O's! YAAAAAY!
:biggrin:
http://orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bal/homepage/bal_homepage.jsp
http://orioles.mlb.com/bal/photo/2002_news/ph_news_0130_singleton29.jpg
Singleton comes to Baltimore
Familiar name will wear familiar number 29
By Becky Dubin Jenkins
MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- As Chris Singleton surveyed the view of the field from the fourth-floor room in which he officially donned an Orioles jersey and was introduced to the media Wednesday, he shook his head and let out something resembling a giggle.
"I still can't believe it. I have no idea when the fact that I'm here will actually set in," Singleton said.
That's because the trade that sent the 29-year-old White Sox center fielder to the O's in exchange for second base/outfield prospect Willie Harris took less than a day to orchestrate. White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams called Singleton Tuesday afternoon and told him he was headed to Baltimore.
By lunchtime Wednesday, Singleton had met with Vice President of Baseball Operations Syd Thrift and put on his No. 29 jersey, the same number worn by O's great Ken Singleton, who is not related to Chris -- but who Chris said he always wished was a long-lost uncle.
"When I got the call yesterday, I was really excited because I felt like, 'OK, I can really be settled and really be prepared for the season,' " said Singleton, referring to the uncertainty he felt during the offseason because of possible deals that had him going to Texas and Anaheim. "And when I found out it was the Orioles, I was real excited because I've always enjoyed playing here.
"I've always thought the guys on the other side of the field [when I played here as an opponent] had it pretty good."
Singleton had plenty of input about the perks of playing at the Yard from former Baltimore fan favorite Harold Baines, with whom he played for parts of two seasons in Chicago. Singleton, who has a cerebral approach to the game, spent significant time picking the brain of Baines, who has logged 22 Major League seasons with the White Sox, Rangers, A's, Indians and O's.
Baines apparently kept plugging Baltimore to Singleton, who wasn't an everyday player with the Sox and who reportedly was on the trading block a few times last season.
"It's funny because last year during the season there was a question of whether or not they were going to play me on a regular basis," Singleton said. "I remember I talked to Harold Baines on a number of occasions and him telling me, 'Call the guys in Baltimore and see if they need a center fielder.' "
Now, Baltimore has two of its three starting outfielders in place for 2002 -- Singleton and Marty Cordova, acquired Dec. 4 from Cleveland. Cordova is projected to start in left field, and Jeff Conine is a possibility for right.
As for his spot in the lineup and his place in the clubhouse, Singleton isn't worried. Saying he makes friends easily, Singleton is just eager to move on to what he called the next chapter in his life.
"For me to be in this situation is just another chance for Chris Singleton to grow as a ballplayer and to grow as a man, develop more character," he said.
He might be tested early and often. The O's are coming off their fourth straight losing season and will attempt to build on that with a team struggling for an identity since the retirement of Cal Ripken, the release of Brady Anderson and a roster full of 20-somethings.
Singleton said he spent part of Tuesday afternoon and evening online, looking up the names of his new teammates. He knows Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jason Johnson from playing with them during the fall league, has spent time chatting with Conine at first base, and knows Brook Fordyce from their days together with the White Sox.
Singleton provided a light moment for reporters and team employees at the news conference when he turned to Thrift and said, " Is David Segui still part of the club?"
When Thrift nodded his head and laughed, Singleton said, "Yeah, [I know] David Segui. I didn't know [if he was still here]. I don't want to say the wrong thing."
Early gaffes aside, Singleton is eager to show why his career fielding percentage is .991 and why he finished sixth in the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year balloting.
"[Fans] are going to see some real nice plays in the outfield, [and] they're going to see a guy who hustles and plays hard and looks to play the game within the aspect of the team winning," he said.
Becky Dubin Jenkins is the site reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
:biggrin:
http://orioles.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/bal/homepage/bal_homepage.jsp
http://orioles.mlb.com/bal/photo/2002_news/ph_news_0130_singleton29.jpg
Singleton comes to Baltimore
Familiar name will wear familiar number 29
By Becky Dubin Jenkins
MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- As Chris Singleton surveyed the view of the field from the fourth-floor room in which he officially donned an Orioles jersey and was introduced to the media Wednesday, he shook his head and let out something resembling a giggle.
"I still can't believe it. I have no idea when the fact that I'm here will actually set in," Singleton said.
That's because the trade that sent the 29-year-old White Sox center fielder to the O's in exchange for second base/outfield prospect Willie Harris took less than a day to orchestrate. White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams called Singleton Tuesday afternoon and told him he was headed to Baltimore.
By lunchtime Wednesday, Singleton had met with Vice President of Baseball Operations Syd Thrift and put on his No. 29 jersey, the same number worn by O's great Ken Singleton, who is not related to Chris -- but who Chris said he always wished was a long-lost uncle.
"When I got the call yesterday, I was really excited because I felt like, 'OK, I can really be settled and really be prepared for the season,' " said Singleton, referring to the uncertainty he felt during the offseason because of possible deals that had him going to Texas and Anaheim. "And when I found out it was the Orioles, I was real excited because I've always enjoyed playing here.
"I've always thought the guys on the other side of the field [when I played here as an opponent] had it pretty good."
Singleton had plenty of input about the perks of playing at the Yard from former Baltimore fan favorite Harold Baines, with whom he played for parts of two seasons in Chicago. Singleton, who has a cerebral approach to the game, spent significant time picking the brain of Baines, who has logged 22 Major League seasons with the White Sox, Rangers, A's, Indians and O's.
Baines apparently kept plugging Baltimore to Singleton, who wasn't an everyday player with the Sox and who reportedly was on the trading block a few times last season.
"It's funny because last year during the season there was a question of whether or not they were going to play me on a regular basis," Singleton said. "I remember I talked to Harold Baines on a number of occasions and him telling me, 'Call the guys in Baltimore and see if they need a center fielder.' "
Now, Baltimore has two of its three starting outfielders in place for 2002 -- Singleton and Marty Cordova, acquired Dec. 4 from Cleveland. Cordova is projected to start in left field, and Jeff Conine is a possibility for right.
As for his spot in the lineup and his place in the clubhouse, Singleton isn't worried. Saying he makes friends easily, Singleton is just eager to move on to what he called the next chapter in his life.
"For me to be in this situation is just another chance for Chris Singleton to grow as a ballplayer and to grow as a man, develop more character," he said.
He might be tested early and often. The O's are coming off their fourth straight losing season and will attempt to build on that with a team struggling for an identity since the retirement of Cal Ripken, the release of Brady Anderson and a roster full of 20-somethings.
Singleton said he spent part of Tuesday afternoon and evening online, looking up the names of his new teammates. He knows Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jason Johnson from playing with them during the fall league, has spent time chatting with Conine at first base, and knows Brook Fordyce from their days together with the White Sox.
Singleton provided a light moment for reporters and team employees at the news conference when he turned to Thrift and said, " Is David Segui still part of the club?"
When Thrift nodded his head and laughed, Singleton said, "Yeah, [I know] David Segui. I didn't know [if he was still here]. I don't want to say the wrong thing."
Early gaffes aside, Singleton is eager to show why his career fielding percentage is .991 and why he finished sixth in the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year balloting.
"[Fans] are going to see some real nice plays in the outfield, [and] they're going to see a guy who hustles and plays hard and looks to play the game within the aspect of the team winning," he said.
Becky Dubin Jenkins is the site reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.