GaryMrMets
06-27-2005, 02:30 PM
Yankees Call Up Triple-A Outfielder
By RONALD BLUM
.c The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Kevin Reese didn't know what to say first when he called his friends.
``I'm getting married. By the way, I just got called up to the big leagues,'' he told some.
For others, he reversed the order.
With Bernie Williams struggling defensively, the New York Yankees purchased the contract of the 27-year-old outfielder from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and immediately put him in the lineup against the Mets. Reese played left field and batted ninth, with Tony Womack shifted to center.
``It's very unusual,'' manager Joe Torre said. ``What's been going on here is a little unusual, too.''
Reese was batting .272 at Columbus with 22 doubles, eight homers and 37 RBIs in 305 at-bats. Acquired from San Diego in 2001, he split last season between Columbus and Double-A Trenton, and made the Eastern League All-Star team.
On Friday, he proposed to Laura Le Gallo after the Clippers' game. They plan to get married in December. They had been talking about marriage for a while but hadn't set any plans.
``I kind of surprised her,'' Reese said.
He went 0-for-3 Saturday in Columbus' game against the Mets' Norfolk farm team, then found out the Yankees were bringing him up. Reese traveled to New York on Sunday, and when he arrived at the ballpark the only other player in the clubhouse was Carl Pavano.
``I've been waiting for this day since I started playing baseball when I was 6 or 7 years old,'' Reese said.
His parents, Bob and Samantha, took an early flight from San Diego and were to be at Yankee Stadium in time for his debut.
To clear space on the 25-man roster, New York optioned pitcher Sean Henn to Columbus. Henn lost twice in the past week, dropping to 0-3 in three starts with the Yankees this season.
``I'm sure he was disappointed. He's not ready yet,'' Torre said. ``I still feel very strongly he's a big league pitcher down the road.''
Womack began the season as the Yankees' regular second baseman, then was shifted to left field when Robinson Cano came up in May. It was just his 19th appearance in center, his first since Aug. 3, 2003, for Colorado at Pittsburgh, and his first start there since July 18, 1999, for Arizona at Seattle, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Torre isn't sure whether Womack will remain in center when Hideki Matsui's ankle is healthy enough for him to play the outfield.
``If we're comfortable watching Tony out there, that may be the best way to go,'' Torre said.
Williams' defensive play has hurt the Yankees, and Torre decided he needed time off, even if it was a blow to Williams' pride.
``How's he doing? He's not too good,'' Torre said.
Notes:@ RHP Jaret Wright (shoulder pain) was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list to open a spot for Reese on the 40-man roster. Wright went on the DL on April 24. ``We're not counting on him,'' Torre said. ``If he all of a sudden starts getting to that level where he's throwing off the mound and gets into the thoughts of pitching a rehab, then I think we can start maybe a little bit.'' ... The Yankees couldn't recall OF Bubba Crosby from Columbus because he was optioned there Tuesday and cannot be recalled for 10 days unless a Yankees outfielder is put on the DL. ... RHP Kevin Brown (back spasms) is likely to report to the Yankees' spring training complex Monday or Tuesday for rehabilitation, Torre said.
06/26/05 20:38 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By RONALD BLUM
.c The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Kevin Reese didn't know what to say first when he called his friends.
``I'm getting married. By the way, I just got called up to the big leagues,'' he told some.
For others, he reversed the order.
With Bernie Williams struggling defensively, the New York Yankees purchased the contract of the 27-year-old outfielder from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and immediately put him in the lineup against the Mets. Reese played left field and batted ninth, with Tony Womack shifted to center.
``It's very unusual,'' manager Joe Torre said. ``What's been going on here is a little unusual, too.''
Reese was batting .272 at Columbus with 22 doubles, eight homers and 37 RBIs in 305 at-bats. Acquired from San Diego in 2001, he split last season between Columbus and Double-A Trenton, and made the Eastern League All-Star team.
On Friday, he proposed to Laura Le Gallo after the Clippers' game. They plan to get married in December. They had been talking about marriage for a while but hadn't set any plans.
``I kind of surprised her,'' Reese said.
He went 0-for-3 Saturday in Columbus' game against the Mets' Norfolk farm team, then found out the Yankees were bringing him up. Reese traveled to New York on Sunday, and when he arrived at the ballpark the only other player in the clubhouse was Carl Pavano.
``I've been waiting for this day since I started playing baseball when I was 6 or 7 years old,'' Reese said.
His parents, Bob and Samantha, took an early flight from San Diego and were to be at Yankee Stadium in time for his debut.
To clear space on the 25-man roster, New York optioned pitcher Sean Henn to Columbus. Henn lost twice in the past week, dropping to 0-3 in three starts with the Yankees this season.
``I'm sure he was disappointed. He's not ready yet,'' Torre said. ``I still feel very strongly he's a big league pitcher down the road.''
Womack began the season as the Yankees' regular second baseman, then was shifted to left field when Robinson Cano came up in May. It was just his 19th appearance in center, his first since Aug. 3, 2003, for Colorado at Pittsburgh, and his first start there since July 18, 1999, for Arizona at Seattle, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Torre isn't sure whether Womack will remain in center when Hideki Matsui's ankle is healthy enough for him to play the outfield.
``If we're comfortable watching Tony out there, that may be the best way to go,'' Torre said.
Williams' defensive play has hurt the Yankees, and Torre decided he needed time off, even if it was a blow to Williams' pride.
``How's he doing? He's not too good,'' Torre said.
Notes:@ RHP Jaret Wright (shoulder pain) was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list to open a spot for Reese on the 40-man roster. Wright went on the DL on April 24. ``We're not counting on him,'' Torre said. ``If he all of a sudden starts getting to that level where he's throwing off the mound and gets into the thoughts of pitching a rehab, then I think we can start maybe a little bit.'' ... The Yankees couldn't recall OF Bubba Crosby from Columbus because he was optioned there Tuesday and cannot be recalled for 10 days unless a Yankees outfielder is put on the DL. ... RHP Kevin Brown (back spasms) is likely to report to the Yankees' spring training complex Monday or Tuesday for rehabilitation, Torre said.
06/26/05 20:38 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.