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07-09-2002, 09:43 AM
Nice article from MLB.com.
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07/08/2002 10:07 pm ET
Batista settling in with Orioles
Third baseman hopes he plays well enough to stay
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Tony Batista is a mellow fellow, rarely expressing excitement about any of his accomplishments. At the All-Star media session Monday, the Orioles third baseman spoke in a whisper-quiet voice, partly because of fatigue from traveling through four cities in 12 hours and partly because of his personality.
But there was one topic Batista was adamant about: his future in Baltimore.
"I want to stop moving," he said. "Two years in Oakland, two years in Arizona, two in Toronto. I want to spend 10 years in Baltimore. But to do that, I've got to do good, so they give me a big contract."
Batista has become a carpetbagger of sorts in baseball terms. He has the talent to lure teams to make deals for him, but the relationship does not last long.
The A's put him on their expansion draft list, choosing fellow All-Star Miguel Tejada to be the shortstop of the future. The Diamondbacks needed a left-handed reliever and dealt him to Toronto along with John Frascatore for Dan Plesac.
The Blue Jays wanted to reduce salaries and placed Batista on waivers just one year after he hit 41 homers. The Orioles picked him up only hours after he was placed on waivers as the heir apparent to Cal Ripken at third base.
Batista hit 12 homers after coming to Baltimore in June of last season and has added 19 more in the first half of 2002. He has emerged as a team leader, a power hitter and a solid defensive player.
When asked what role he plays in the Orioles' family, Batista said he is like a 'brother.'
"Jeff Conine, David Segui and Mike Bordick are like the big brothers," he said. "I am just a brother. I help out with the younger guys."
Batista has become a mentor for the team's young pitching staff. That seems unlikely because he is a position player. But when young hurlers Jorge Julio and Willis Roberts face trying times on the mound, Batista will race over from third base for a confidence boost.
"I just tell them to throw their best pitch," he said. "I have always been like this, but I think I do it more in Baltimore."
A contract extension for Batista could be one of the Orioles' offseason issues. The organization, including manager Mike Hargrove, considers Batista one of the cornerstones. Despite five years in the big leagues and four teams, Batista is only 28 years old and already has a 40-homer season among his achievements.
Batista is on pace to hit 37 this season and leads the Orioles in runs, RBIs, doubles and walks. He is the team's most valuable offensive player this season, and he'd like to have more chances to flourish in an Orioles uniform.
"We have got a lot of good, young players," he said. "We have a good future here. Hopefully I can stay here."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com and can be reached at gwashb7519@aol.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs
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07/08/2002 10:07 pm ET
Batista settling in with Orioles
Third baseman hopes he plays well enough to stay
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Tony Batista is a mellow fellow, rarely expressing excitement about any of his accomplishments. At the All-Star media session Monday, the Orioles third baseman spoke in a whisper-quiet voice, partly because of fatigue from traveling through four cities in 12 hours and partly because of his personality.
But there was one topic Batista was adamant about: his future in Baltimore.
"I want to stop moving," he said. "Two years in Oakland, two years in Arizona, two in Toronto. I want to spend 10 years in Baltimore. But to do that, I've got to do good, so they give me a big contract."
Batista has become a carpetbagger of sorts in baseball terms. He has the talent to lure teams to make deals for him, but the relationship does not last long.
The A's put him on their expansion draft list, choosing fellow All-Star Miguel Tejada to be the shortstop of the future. The Diamondbacks needed a left-handed reliever and dealt him to Toronto along with John Frascatore for Dan Plesac.
The Blue Jays wanted to reduce salaries and placed Batista on waivers just one year after he hit 41 homers. The Orioles picked him up only hours after he was placed on waivers as the heir apparent to Cal Ripken at third base.
Batista hit 12 homers after coming to Baltimore in June of last season and has added 19 more in the first half of 2002. He has emerged as a team leader, a power hitter and a solid defensive player.
When asked what role he plays in the Orioles' family, Batista said he is like a 'brother.'
"Jeff Conine, David Segui and Mike Bordick are like the big brothers," he said. "I am just a brother. I help out with the younger guys."
Batista has become a mentor for the team's young pitching staff. That seems unlikely because he is a position player. But when young hurlers Jorge Julio and Willis Roberts face trying times on the mound, Batista will race over from third base for a confidence boost.
"I just tell them to throw their best pitch," he said. "I have always been like this, but I think I do it more in Baltimore."
A contract extension for Batista could be one of the Orioles' offseason issues. The organization, including manager Mike Hargrove, considers Batista one of the cornerstones. Despite five years in the big leagues and four teams, Batista is only 28 years old and already has a 40-homer season among his achievements.
Batista is on pace to hit 37 this season and leads the Orioles in runs, RBIs, doubles and walks. He is the team's most valuable offensive player this season, and he'd like to have more chances to flourish in an Orioles uniform.
"We have got a lot of good, young players," he said. "We have a good future here. Hopefully I can stay here."
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com and can be reached at gwashb7519@aol.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs