European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 17, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday february 17,1989 the stars and stripes Page 23 baseball launches annual five week jump on Spring by Ben Walker a baseball writer Stop crossing off the Days. The Long Winter is Over. Pitchers and catchers Are reporting. Spring training is starting and baseball is Back. For Jim Abbott and Pete Rose ii it s All new. For Tommy John and Don Bay Lor it might be Over. Most of All for the fans and those who wait for this Day this Means a time of Hope and optimism. Every team is even at least in the standings. And maybe if those rookies Are As Good As they say and if the aging slugger can have one More Good year and if the injured shortstop returns to form and if the wild Pitcher get his control Well then maybe this just could be the year. Why not it happened in its own Way to the los Angeles dodgers last season. On thursday the dodgers and half the major league teams will open Camp. Eddie Murray and Willie Randolph will be at Vero Beach As the dodgers begin the quest to do what no team has done since the new York Yankees in 1977-78, to win consecutive world series. For the first time in a Long time we go to Spring training with our starting eight pretty set los Angeles general manager Fred Claire said. In Florida and Arizona new faces in new places abound. Jack Clark Bruce Hurst and Walt Ter Rell Are playing in san Diego now. Steve sax is with the new York Yankees Mike Moore is with Oakland and Nolan Ryan Julio Franco and Rafael Sameiro Are with the Texas rangers. Six managers Are new. Dallas Green is with the Yankees Doug Rader is in Cali fornia Art Howe starts out in Houston Jeff Torborg with the Chicago White sox Nick Leyva joins Philadelphia and Jim Lefebvre takes Over in Seattle. And Bill White is apprenticing in the National league office. On april 1, hell take Over As president when a. Bartlett Giamatti moves up to commissioner. Among those reporting to Cam thursday will be Abbott the one handed wonder of the . Olympic team. A Bott 21, will Likely Start the season at California s class a team in Midland. But for now he s a big leaguer. I look Forward to it but i m a bit nervous he said. I Don t know what la be involved in starting  neither does the Young Rose son of baseball s All time hit Leader and Cincin Nati manager. Rose will be working out with Baltimore s minor leagues and will probably Start the year in class a. Baylor and John two of the older elite Aren t sure if they will end up any where. Neither has been offered a con tract yet and each is hoping to get one last look see Chance. So is Steve Carlton trying yet another comeback. He has been throwing at the Phillies Camp in Clearwater Fla., Al though the team in t too interested. In Yuma Ariz., the padres will pre pare to Challenge the dodgers in the no West. Clark one year removed from being the National league s most feared hitter was acquired from the Yankees and Pitcher Walt Terrell was obtained from Detroit. Hurst the object of an intense free agent bidding War signed with san Diego. Now Well see whether hell be come another former Boston left hander to win big in the no just like John Tudor and Bob Ojeda. Ojeda will try to recover from a Lawn Accident last fall that almost Cost him a Finger and manager Davey Johnson thinks might have Cost the new Yor Kmets a Chance to beat the dodgers in the playoffs. The mets tried to make a move during the Winter but did to failing to get Dale Murphy Mark Langston Danny Tartabull and Ellis Burks. Oakland the american league Cham Pion got Moore. That gives the athletics the Best pitching staff in the league. At least in Spring training and on paper it does. We re starting this year with a sense of some unfinished business Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson said. We wanted to win it All and the Dodg ers beat  Texas and California made moves in Hope of overtaking Oakland. The rangers begin Spring training As strangers after the most Active Winter in the majors. Ryan a Texas Folk hero was taken from Houston in the free agent frenzy and .300 hitters Franco and Palmeiro were acquired in trades. As a result reliever Mitch Williams is with the Chicago cubs and Pete o Brien and Oddie Mcdowell Are in Cleveland. The Angels who failed to sign Hurst or Ryan wound up with Claudell Washington in the Outfield and aging Bert Bly Leven on the Mound. The Yankees who finished fifth last season in the declining Al East have not won the world series since 1978. The 10-year Gap is the team s second longest since the babe Ruth Era and sax and other newcomers Andy Hawkins Jimmy Jones Lance Mccullers and Dave la Point Hope to change that. As much As anyone the orioles symbolize the Hope that Means Spring train ing. Baltimore lost 107 games last sea son most in the majors and was last in hitting and pitching. Still manager Frank Robinson wants to instill a winning attitude right away. It s never too Early. We will open the season with modest but achievable goals Robinson said. Our attitude is great and our morale  up last Hurrah veterans Tommy John top and Don Baylor May be heading South for the last time this Spring. Nei ther is Given much Chance of Mak ing a place for himself on any team this season. What the hopefuls Ore looking for this trip South by the associated press in the next few Days the simple scene of play ing catch will be common in Florida and Arizona. Spring training has arrived. In March things get a Little More serious As some careers get going and others end. Here s a look at some of the changes that have occurred since los Angeles Orel Hershiser beat Oakland in game 5 of the world series last october National league East Chicago cubs Spring site hoho Kam Park Mesa Ariz. Spring search the cubs expect Mitch Williams to become the stopper they did t have last year. Calvin Schiraldi moves to the pen with Paul Kilgus from Texas along with Williams in Rafael Palmeiro Deal taking his spot. There were some rumours Shawon Funston was going to be traded but the cubs still feel he can be the Best shortstop in the league. Dunston must Cut Down on his strikeouts 108 last year. Montreal expos Spring site municipal stadium. West Palm Beach Fla. Spring search the expos have the pitching Dennis Martinez Pascual Perez Bryn Smith and Kevin Gross to stay close to the mets. They could do even More if 6-foot-10 Rookie Randy Johnson is successful. Johnson was called up late last sea son and was 3-0 with a 3.42 Era. The expos biggest pitching problem is replacing Jeff Parrett 12-4, 2.65 in the bullpen. To contend the expos also need a solid season from newly acquired shortstop Spike Owen. New York mets Spring site St. Lucie county stadium port St. Lucie Fla. Spring search the mets Are still talking about a big Deal. Lately the names have been Seattle left hander Mark Langston and Kansas City slugger Danny Tartabull. Second baseman Wally Back Man was traded to Minnesota but there s still a log am in the infield and Len Dykstra does t want to platoon in Center Field with cookie Wilson. Ron Darling and Dwight Gooden have been signed to three year deals but Darryl Strawberry wants a contract Extension that would make him the High est paid player in baseball. Philadelphia Phillies Spring site Jack Russell stadium Clearwater Fla. Spring search the Phillies a team in need of pitching traded Shane Rawley and Kevin Gross and will rebuild. They acquired Floyd Youmans and Ken Howell. Both throw hard but inconsistently. It s still possible the Phillies will make a Trade for a Pitcher using von Hayes As bait. Pittsburgh pirates Spring site Mckechnie Field Bradenton Fla. Spring search the pirates who gave the mets a run until August Are looking for a shortstop and a Little More Bench strength. The late season additions of Gary Redus and Glenn Wilson should help there. Catching new York was t made easier when left hander Dave Lapoint signed As a free agent with the new York Yankees. The pirates Hope right hander Brian Fisher will rebound from an injury plagued season 8-10,4.61. St. Louis cardinals Spring site Al Lang stadium St. Peterburg. Fla. Spring search to contend in the no East Whitey Herzog knows he needs pitchers Danny Cox and Greg Mathews to stay healthy. Having Tom Brunansky and Pedro Guerrero from the Start of the season will help the pop gun offence but Guerrero has to prove he can still hit for Power. National league West Atlanta braves Spring site municipal stadium West Palm Beach Fla. Spring search despite lots of talking it looks like Dale Murphy will remain in the braves Outfield and that s Good news for Atlanta fans. For improvement on their miserable Start last season the braves Are counting on their Young pitchers. Cincinnati reds Spring site Plant City stadium Plant City Fla. Spring search the reds Hope they won t be searching for Center fielder Eric Davis. Davis has asked for a Trade. The reds expect to add Rookie Jack Armstrong to a solid rotation of Danny Jackson Tom Browning and Jose Rijo. Reliever John Franco 39 saves is now a million Dollar Man and Rob Dibble is expected to take Over for Rob Murphy traded to Boston As the left hander reliever. Todd Benzinger moves in at first. Houston astros Spring site Osceola stadium Kissimmee Fla. Spring search the astros need some Power in a big Way. Houston had 96 homers last season and Glenn Davis hit 30 of them. General manager Dick Wood is willing to Trade Bob Knepper or even Mike Scott for some hitting. Wade Boggs has been mentioned in some Astro deals. Nolan Ryan is pitching in Arlington and Jim Clancy will try to make up the victories not the strikeouts. Los Angeles dodgers Spring site Holman Field Vero Beach Fla. Spring search the defending champions Are looking to the Florida Sun to heal injuries left Over from last season. How s Fernando s Arm Kirk s knee when will John Tudor return Gibson the no s map last season continues to be bothered by a sore right knee but does t need surgery. The dodgers will also be eager to see How new Sec Ond baseman Willie Randolph s wrist is doing. San Diego padres Spring site desert Sun stadium Yuma Ariz. Spring search the padres will leave Yuma looking for a Pennant and they have the players to do it. San Diego added Power in Jack Clark and pitching in Bruce Hurst. A big Spring Trade is still possible. Lots of teams want Catcher Sandy Alo mar jr., including the Seattle mariners from whom the padres would want Mark Langston. San Francisco giants Spring site Scottsdale stadium. Scottsdale Ariz. Spring search manager Roger Craig just wants to leave Camp with a healthy pitching staff. Last season Kelly Downs Dave Dravecky Mike Lacoss and Atlee Hammaker had injuries and 19 game Winner Rick Reuschel in t getting younger. Craig has four left handers he is High on Terry Mulholland Trevor Wilson Mike Remlinger and Dennis Cook. American league East Baltimore orioles Spring site Miami stadium. Spring search Frank Robinson and the orioles would like to Start the season with a Victory any in april will do. Last year Baltimore dropped 21 straight at the Start of the season. Obviously this team is rebuilding and Robinson Hopes to do it with pitching Young pitching. The future orioles staff could include Jose Bautista Bob Milacki Pete Harnisch Gregg Olson and Curt Schilling. Robinson is High on outfielder Brady Anderson and was pleased when the orioles acquired Veter an Phil Bradley from the Phillies. Boston red sox Spring site Chain 0 lakes Park Winter Haven Fla. Spring search there s no Way the red sox can replace left hander Bruce Hurst. He was 18-6 with a 3.66 Era and held the club together when Roger Clemens faltered. The sox Are also facing internal problems. Wade Boggs is in the headlines for the court Battle he faces with former mistress Margo Adams. And Mike Greenwell May skip part of Spring training because of contract problems. Cleveland indians Spring site i Corbett Field Tucson Ariz. Spring search with Julio Franco traded Man Ager Doc Edwards will use Spring training to Settle his Middle infield. Jerry Browne will probably move in at second with either Paul Uvelia or Jay Bell at shortstop. To improve the tribe needs a better year from Joe Carter 27 homers 98 Bis and a fourth starter. Detroit tigers Spring site merchant stadium Lakeland Fla. Spring search the tigers Are an aging team and did Little Over the Winter to change the Situa Tion. Detroit traded reliable right hander Walt Ter Rell to san Diego for Keith Moreland and Chris Brown. Brown a third baseman could provide some punch but he is injury prone. For the tigers to contend they need 20 wins from Jack Morris. Milwaukee Brewers Spring site compadre stadium Chandler Ariz. Spring search the Brewers think Gary Shef Field is ready to step in and play shortstop. This team can match anyone in the division at the plate but need More consistent and healthy pitch ing. Right now the rotation shapes up to be Teddy Higuera recovering from Back surgery Juan Nieves Bill Wegman and Don August. New York Yankees Spring site fort Lauderdale stadium. Spring search As usual the Yankees made their share of changes on the Field and off during the Winter. Dallas Green is George Stein Brenner s new manager and Andy Hawkins Steve sax and Dave Lapoint Are the new High priced free agents. And As usual there s plenty of controversy. Steinbrenner has battled All Winter with Dave Winfield Over How the Winfield foundation is run. Back on the Field Green did t want 45 year old Tommy John and 38-year-old Ron Guidry in Camp. But Steinbrenner did so they Are. The Yankees still have holes at shortstop and Cen Ter Field and Dave Righetti is coming off a poor season As the team s Ace reliever. Toronto Blue jays Spring site Grant Field Dunedin Fla. Spring search the Blue jays have been trying to Trade outfielder Loyd Moseby for some pitching with Little Success. If they make a big Trade it s More Likely to be Jesse Barfield. There Are still bad feelings Between George Bell and manager Jimy Williams that must be settled for this team to rest and win. American league West California Angels Spring site Angels stadium Palm Springs Calif practice at Gene Autry Park Mesa Ariz Spring search Gene Autry and Mike port struck out in attempts to land Nolan Ryan and Bruce Hurt but the Angels did acquire Bert Blyle Ven. What new manager Doug Rader needs most to turn things around is healthy seasons from pitchers Mike Witt and Kirk Mccaskill. The Angels also added Catcher Lance Parrish who had his share of aches and pains in two unsuccessful years at Philadelphia. Port also signed 34-year-old outfielder Claudell Washington to a big contract. Chicago White sox Spring site Payne Park Sarasota Fla. Spring search new manager Jeff Torborg Hopes to build around pitching Jack Mcdowell Melido Perez and Shawn Hillegas. Torborg Al ready has one of the Best relievers in Bobby Thig pen. Former sox slugger Ron Kittle is Back and they need his Power Oklahoma state hit Ting Star Robin Ventura a third baseman will also get a Good look this Spring. Kansas City royals Spring site baseball City stadium Haines City Fla. Spring search the royals still have great pitching despite trading Danny Jackson David Cone and Melido Perez. Mark Gubicza won 20 games and is joined by Brent Saberhagen Charlie Leibrandt and Floyd Bannister in the rotation. Manager John Wathan s biggest Challenge in Spring training is to change the clubhouse Atmo sphere. Falling out of the race so Early last year caused tempers to flare. Minnesota twins Spring site tinker Field Orlando. Fla. Spring search the twins improved on their world series season in 1987 with a 91-71 record and still finished 13 games behind Oakland. To get closer they added left hander Shane Rawley to go with by Young Winner Frank Viola and co Era Champ Allan Anderson. Wally Backman is the new second baseman Oakland athletics Spring site Phoenix stadium. Spring search there was t much the a s lacked last season on the Way to 104 victories and the Al Pennant. But pm Sandy Alderson made a move that improved this team when he signed free agent Pitcher Mike Moore. Things Are unsettled at second base but you can t have everything. Texas rangers Spring site Charlotte county stadium port Charlotte Fla Spring search after everybody shakes hands and says hello at port Charlotte the rangers will have one of the most improved teams in baseball. Pm Tom Grieve went to the Winter meetings in Atlanta with a 70-91 team and left with a Pennant contender. The rangers 12th in runs scored in the Al last year have Sweet swinging Rafael Palmeiro at first and .300-hitter Julio Franco at second. For pitching Grieve signed strikeout King Nolan Ryan. To get Palmeiro from the cubs Grieve had to part with reliever Mitch Williams and the rangers have a Hole in the bullpen that could be costly Seattle mariners Spring site Diablo stadium Tempe Ariz. Spring search the mariners signed two free agents left wider Jeffrey Leonard and reliever Tom Niedenfuer but lost their no. 2 Pitcher Mike Moore who signed As a free agent with Oakland. The mariners nope to make up Lor the loss of Moore with the development of a Young Pitcher