645
06-13-2005, 04:05 AM
<b><font size=4>Introductory phase</font>
Middle men Hardy, Weeks learn to work together</b>
Philadelphia - The only way the Brewers' rookie double-play combination of shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Rickie Weeks can get comfortable with each other is to play as a tandem, and manager Ned Yost said Sunday he plans to provide plenty of opportunities.
"It's important that they play together and get a feel for each other," Yost said. "I want to keep them in the lineup. I'm excited about it."
Weeks, called up Friday after second baseman Junior Spivey was traded to Washington, played in a major-league game with Hardy for the first time Saturday night. Previously, they had played together only in spring training exhibition games.
For several weeks, Yost alternated Bill Hall between second base and shortstop, trying to keep his bat in the lineup. Yost said Hall now will see most of his playing time at third base, a move made easier with Russell Branyan on the disabled list with a broken finger and Jeff Cirillo sidelined with a sprained left wrist.
"We'll see how that works out," Yost said. "Billy's a good athlete. We'll worry about (what to do with Branyan and Cirillo) when the time comes."
In the meantime, Weeks and Hardy will work together as much as possible in pre-game drills as well as early workouts. Both expect the transition to be a smooth one.
"The main thing is knowing (Hardy's) personality and what he does best," Weeks said. "The chemistry comes from playing with a person over time. It makes you better working with a player like J.J. because he's such a good shortstop."
Hardy, who hit his first major-league homer Saturday in his initial pairing with Weeks, said he had anticipated playing at some point with the Brewers' top prospect.
"I've been looking forward to it for a while," Hardy said. "After playing with Rickie in spring training, I don't think there's that much to get used to. I think I understand how he plays. And I don't do too much tricky stuff. I think it'll be fine."
Yost said he expected the process to go smoothly because Weeks and Hardy both are "good kids" who work hard and do more observing than talking.
"That's worth a lot to me," Yost said. "You know they will do what it takes. They both listen a lot and speak a little. They're both kids you can like a lot personally, kids you can root for.
"I saw that they came to the park together today. I liked that."
Hall, who played well while being asked to shuffle between shortstop and second base, said the toughest thing about moving to third was making the different throw across the infield.
"You have to put more on your throws," he said. "All I'm trying to do is stay in the lineup. It doesn't matter to me where."
Middle men Hardy, Weeks learn to work together</b>
Philadelphia - The only way the Brewers' rookie double-play combination of shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Rickie Weeks can get comfortable with each other is to play as a tandem, and manager Ned Yost said Sunday he plans to provide plenty of opportunities.
"It's important that they play together and get a feel for each other," Yost said. "I want to keep them in the lineup. I'm excited about it."
Weeks, called up Friday after second baseman Junior Spivey was traded to Washington, played in a major-league game with Hardy for the first time Saturday night. Previously, they had played together only in spring training exhibition games.
For several weeks, Yost alternated Bill Hall between second base and shortstop, trying to keep his bat in the lineup. Yost said Hall now will see most of his playing time at third base, a move made easier with Russell Branyan on the disabled list with a broken finger and Jeff Cirillo sidelined with a sprained left wrist.
"We'll see how that works out," Yost said. "Billy's a good athlete. We'll worry about (what to do with Branyan and Cirillo) when the time comes."
In the meantime, Weeks and Hardy will work together as much as possible in pre-game drills as well as early workouts. Both expect the transition to be a smooth one.
"The main thing is knowing (Hardy's) personality and what he does best," Weeks said. "The chemistry comes from playing with a person over time. It makes you better working with a player like J.J. because he's such a good shortstop."
Hardy, who hit his first major-league homer Saturday in his initial pairing with Weeks, said he had anticipated playing at some point with the Brewers' top prospect.
"I've been looking forward to it for a while," Hardy said. "After playing with Rickie in spring training, I don't think there's that much to get used to. I think I understand how he plays. And I don't do too much tricky stuff. I think it'll be fine."
Yost said he expected the process to go smoothly because Weeks and Hardy both are "good kids" who work hard and do more observing than talking.
"That's worth a lot to me," Yost said. "You know they will do what it takes. They both listen a lot and speak a little. They're both kids you can like a lot personally, kids you can root for.
"I saw that they came to the park together today. I liked that."
Hall, who played well while being asked to shuffle between shortstop and second base, said the toughest thing about moving to third was making the different throw across the infield.
"You have to put more on your throws," he said. "All I'm trying to do is stay in the lineup. It doesn't matter to me where."