yagsy
02-26-2005, 11:44 AM
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sd/news/sd_news.jsp?ymd=20050224&content_id=950256&vkey=spt2005news&fext=.jsp
Notes: Loretta's offseason was 'on'
Meets President Bush at White House, has a baby girl
By John Schlegel / MLB.com
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2004/07/16/sNpT66n7.jpg
Mark Loretta got a golf ball and a White House dinner menu signed by the president. (Pat Sullivan/AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mark Loretta laced up his shoes and put on his Padres workout uniform for the first time this Spring Training on Thursday, officially ending his offseason.
A standard offseason, it wasn't.
Unless you count a dinner with President Bush at the White House and the birth of a daughter to be your normal, run-of-the-mill winter.
Loretta, the Padres' second baseman and two-time team Most Valuable Player, moved into his locker cubicle in the Padres' clubhouse, situated right next door to that of new leadoff hitter Dave Roberts. The two figure to spend a lot of time together this season as the 1-2 punch at the top of the Padres' lineup, and will be sitting next to each other all spring.
No offense to Roberts, but it was probably a little more of a thrill for Loretta to be seated next to President Bush at dinner.
"Basically, it was kind of a night off for him," Loretta said of his presidential meal. "He's such a big baseball fan."
Loretta joined a small group that included Braves right-hander John Smoltz, Mets GM Omar Minaya and Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson at the dinner on Jan. 10. The group was treated to a tour of the White House, including the Oval Office.
As the team's player representative, Loretta was supportive of the pending changes in baseball's steroids policy, changes that were supported by President Bush. The proposed changes were announced the day after the dinner Loretta attended.
"He was happy about that," Loretta said. "He already knew about it. Being president, he probably gets some good inside information."
Loretta came away from his White House adventure with a golf ball signed by President Bush and an autographed copy of the menu served that evening, as well as a photo with himself and his wife, Hillary, with the president.
The Lorettas also had a new addition to the family this winter with the birth of daughter Lucy, so it was a big offseason all the way around for the team's second baseman.
Klesko crushes: Ryan Klesko came into camp looking and feeling stronger, putting his shoulder woes more than a year behind him and declaring himself ready to build on the momentum he carried through the second half of the season last year.
The proof was evident Thursday, when he deposited several balls well over the fence and off the porch outside the team's new weight room during batting practice, displaying the type of power he had before those shoulder problems hampered his swing the early part of last year.
"I think you can see a big difference compared to last year at this time," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He was swinging a little more gingerly last year. Now, he's letting it go."
Ashby in camp: Veteran right-hander Andy Asbhy, who received a standing ovation at PETCO Park upon his return to action last September following reconstructive elbow surgery, is back in camp as a minor league invitee. This spring, he is working through a throwing program on the heels of a cleanup procedure over the offseason.
"I think we're looking at May with him," Bochy said. "Hopefully, down the road he's going to be one of our pitchers."
Short hops: Pitchers took to the mounds and the fields for drills for the fifth day Thursday, and they did so under sunny skies -- a rarity so far this Spring Training in Arizona. Meanwhile, position players underwent physicals and some took batting practice. With all 57 invited players now in camp, the first official full-squad workout will take place Friday. ... Bochy said he and his coaching staff are working on some different approaches to infield defensive plays, such as bunt plays and pickoffs, that they'll implement during the course of camp. "We've probably been on the chalkboard a little more than normal," Bochy said. "We're not reinventing the wheel here." ... Reliever Akinori Otsuka, who was experiencing some tightness in his shoulder after his first throwing session of the spring, threw without problems Thursday. Also, lefty Dennys Reyes threw off the mound for the first time after experiencing a hamstring strain and felt fine, Bochy said.
John Schlegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Notes: Loretta's offseason was 'on'
Meets President Bush at White House, has a baby girl
By John Schlegel / MLB.com
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2004/07/16/sNpT66n7.jpg
Mark Loretta got a golf ball and a White House dinner menu signed by the president. (Pat Sullivan/AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mark Loretta laced up his shoes and put on his Padres workout uniform for the first time this Spring Training on Thursday, officially ending his offseason.
A standard offseason, it wasn't.
Unless you count a dinner with President Bush at the White House and the birth of a daughter to be your normal, run-of-the-mill winter.
Loretta, the Padres' second baseman and two-time team Most Valuable Player, moved into his locker cubicle in the Padres' clubhouse, situated right next door to that of new leadoff hitter Dave Roberts. The two figure to spend a lot of time together this season as the 1-2 punch at the top of the Padres' lineup, and will be sitting next to each other all spring.
No offense to Roberts, but it was probably a little more of a thrill for Loretta to be seated next to President Bush at dinner.
"Basically, it was kind of a night off for him," Loretta said of his presidential meal. "He's such a big baseball fan."
Loretta joined a small group that included Braves right-hander John Smoltz, Mets GM Omar Minaya and Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson at the dinner on Jan. 10. The group was treated to a tour of the White House, including the Oval Office.
As the team's player representative, Loretta was supportive of the pending changes in baseball's steroids policy, changes that were supported by President Bush. The proposed changes were announced the day after the dinner Loretta attended.
"He was happy about that," Loretta said. "He already knew about it. Being president, he probably gets some good inside information."
Loretta came away from his White House adventure with a golf ball signed by President Bush and an autographed copy of the menu served that evening, as well as a photo with himself and his wife, Hillary, with the president.
The Lorettas also had a new addition to the family this winter with the birth of daughter Lucy, so it was a big offseason all the way around for the team's second baseman.
Klesko crushes: Ryan Klesko came into camp looking and feeling stronger, putting his shoulder woes more than a year behind him and declaring himself ready to build on the momentum he carried through the second half of the season last year.
The proof was evident Thursday, when he deposited several balls well over the fence and off the porch outside the team's new weight room during batting practice, displaying the type of power he had before those shoulder problems hampered his swing the early part of last year.
"I think you can see a big difference compared to last year at this time," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He was swinging a little more gingerly last year. Now, he's letting it go."
Ashby in camp: Veteran right-hander Andy Asbhy, who received a standing ovation at PETCO Park upon his return to action last September following reconstructive elbow surgery, is back in camp as a minor league invitee. This spring, he is working through a throwing program on the heels of a cleanup procedure over the offseason.
"I think we're looking at May with him," Bochy said. "Hopefully, down the road he's going to be one of our pitchers."
Short hops: Pitchers took to the mounds and the fields for drills for the fifth day Thursday, and they did so under sunny skies -- a rarity so far this Spring Training in Arizona. Meanwhile, position players underwent physicals and some took batting practice. With all 57 invited players now in camp, the first official full-squad workout will take place Friday. ... Bochy said he and his coaching staff are working on some different approaches to infield defensive plays, such as bunt plays and pickoffs, that they'll implement during the course of camp. "We've probably been on the chalkboard a little more than normal," Bochy said. "We're not reinventing the wheel here." ... Reliever Akinori Otsuka, who was experiencing some tightness in his shoulder after his first throwing session of the spring, threw without problems Thursday. Also, lefty Dennys Reyes threw off the mound for the first time after experiencing a hamstring strain and felt fine, Bochy said.
John Schlegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.