European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 25, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 a the stars and stripes wednesday March 25, 1992 cardinals Low Balling next to baseball 92 take him out to the Ball game George Steinbrenner principal owner of the new York Yankees sits in the Public Seal behind Home place Sun Day in Clearwater Fla., while attending his first Yan by Tom Verducci new Day West Palm Beach Fla. A while the thought of expansion next year has moved most baseball people to worry about the further dilution of pitching it has prompted san Francisco giants general manager Al Rosen to fret about another trouble spot. A where Are All the shortstops Quot he asked. Well a new shipment May be arriving this year. At least five and As Many As 10 teams could be turning Over the position to Young unproven players. The los Angeles dodgers Jose Offerman Philadelphia Phillies Kim Batiste Houston astros Andujar cede no California Angels Gary Dis Ardna and Kansas City royals David Howard have already decided to make a change. At first glance it would seem those clubs Are taking a huge risk. It would appear difficult to contend when breaking in an inexperienced player at such a vital position like a National football league team trying a Rookie quarterback. But that May not be the Case. A a it a the easiest position in which to break in a said Phillie manager Jim Fregosi a former shortstop. A basically it s because they Are in a situation where they done to have to hit. Just Field the position and if you hit a Little bit it s a Bonus a when you re a Young shortstop you Are at your Peak defensively. Your Speed your Range and your throwing strength Are the Best  be. The toughest part of it is handling the Job mentally. If you can do that you la stick. But you done to know the answer to that unless you run the kid out  the average age of major league shortstops last year was 28 years 3 months according to the 1992 Elias baseball analyst. It was the 11th consecutive season that it ranked As the youngest position in the majors. The 110 players who appeared at that position hit Only 211 Home runs the lowest total among any position other than Pitcher. And two of those players Cal Ripken and Barry Larkin accounted for More than one Quarter of those Home runs 54. Kee game in two years. Steinbrenner is barred from an Active role with the Yankees at his request by baseball commissioner Fay Vincent. Can a team win with a Rookie shortstop yes but rarely. Since divisional play began in 1969, Only 14 of the 92 divisional winners 15 percent employed a Rookie As their primary shortstop. Three of those cases occurred in 1988 the Boston red sox Jody Reed the Oakland athletics Walt Weiss and the new York mets Kevin Elster. A the twins won it All last year with Chuck Knoblauch at second base a a Toronto Blue jays Rookie Eddie Zosky said. A they won with a Rookie in the Middle infield. I look at shortstop the same Way. It can be done. I feel like in a  Zosky is one of several other Young shortstops who might earn their first regular big league Job this Spring. He is challenging Manny Lee who set a record Las year for most strikeouts 107 without hitting a Home run. Likewise Boston would like to see Tim Naehring recover from Back surgery to take away the Job from the error prone Luis Rivera Mark Lewis could supplant Felix Fermin in Cleveland either Mike Benjamin or Royce Clayton a whom Rosen likens to Larkin a might Start Over Jose Uribe in san Francisco and Wilf redo Cordero is challenging Spike Owen in Montreal. Cordero who played a full season at triple a last year at age 19, May have to return to the minors especially because the expos need a Veteran to work with inconsistent second baseman Delino Deshields. A the position is right where we left it last year a Montreal manager Tom Runnells said. A Spike gives us consistency. Cordero is going to have to have a great Spring to win the Job. The Job is spikes  Cordero a time will come perhaps late in the season. He and Clayton who also May be forced to wait Are generally considered to be the most talented players of what could be a new Era of shortstops. A a a exclamation Point mets Pitcher Dwight Gooden when asked about the Pittsburgh pirates trading John Smiley to the Minnesota twins for two prospects a a it a a great Trade for  by . Fallstrom St. Petersburg Fla. A the St. Louis cardinals could have the next to Jackson on their hands. However Brian Jordan full time Atlanta Falcons Strong safety and part time outfielder Isnit so sure the team wants him. The problem is Money Jordan figures to Start the season at triple a Louisville but he does no to want to go for minor Teague scale. A i Haven to signed because in a so disappointed with what they re offering a Jordan said. A they want to pay me first year roster Money which is $1,800 a month. I said no Way possible in a going to risk injury in triple a for $1,800 a  part of the problem is he a already financially stable. He a entering his fourth season with the Falcons and is negotiating a new contract after making about $300,000, including bonuses last season. He was third on the team in tackles in 1991. Head like to make a lot More playing baseball because he says he a a one of a kind player. Or at least the latest one of a kind player after Jackson and Falcons teammate Deion Sanders. A most of these Guys need baseball a Jordan said in a crowded locker room at Al Lang stadium. A i have another career. In a a different Type of athlete. You be got to pay for what you  another problem is As a baseball player he does no to have much of a track record. In four seasons he a been held Back by injuries a baseball injuries a and his football responsibilities. While climbing the organizational ladder he has Only 406 at bats in stops at Hamilton St. Petersburg Arkansas and Louisville. Last season he hit .264 for Louisville with four Home runs and 24 Bis before leaving for the Falcons mini Camp july 3. He a got Good tools a cardinals general manager dal maxvill said. A on the other hand. We Haven to seen enough of him against Good Competition to say. There a no doubt he a going to make  a a Jordan has been playing All sports All his life and said he never had a problem adjusting. He a not dazzled by the major leagues either. They seem surprised at How Well in a adjusting and playing Well this Spring a Jordan said a a that a the Type of athlete i  Jordan is doing his Best to make a lasting impression. He s hitting .308 with a Home run two doubles and six Bis tied for the team Lead. Brian Jordan knows he a ready for the big leagues a Jordan said. A a in a showing them i deserve the  Jordan a agent Jim Turner of St. Louis has asked maxvill to restructure Jordan a contract. Maxvill said he would think about it and probably wont make a decision for the next week to 10 Days. Jordan is getting tired of waiting. A a maxvill sees my ability he knows How Well i adjust Jordan said. A you know you can to pass up on an athlete like that and if you do Trade me l know there s a lot of teams who want an outfielder who can hit with Power is fast and has a great  All things being equal if Jordan had to pick one sport it would be baseball. I love football i love Contact i love the excitement but i would be stupid to pick football Over baseball a Ordan said. When dal maxvill makes the decision he wants to pay Brian Jordan to play baseball then ill consider it. Major leagues anticipating Shower of Young shortstops Brian Jordan