Sandberg Sets Hr Mark Second-Inning Shot Lifts Spokane Product Into All-Time Top Spot For Second Basemen
Ryne Sandberg has never forgotten the advice from one of his first big-league managers, Jim Frey.
“It’s fun to hit home runs,” said Sandberg, relaying what Frey told him back in 1984, his N.L. MVP season with the Chicago Cubs. “Being able to hit home runs and jog around the bases, it’s pretty exciting.”
Sandberg, who grew up in Spokane, broke into a record-breaking trot Saturday after hitting the 267th home run of his career as a second baseman to break Hall of Famer Joe Morgan’s record for most home runs at that position.
His homer in the second inning pulled the Cubs within 3-1 but they had to rally to win 7-6 over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sammy Sosa’s tie-breaking RBI single in the eighth.
“(Winning) makes it all worthwhile,” Sandberg said.
Brian McRae opened the eighth with a single off Ricardo Rincon (2-2) and reached second on Doug Glanville’s sacrifice. Glanville was safe on a throwing error by first baseman Mark Johnson. Mark Grace then sacrificed, advancing both runners, and Sosa singled to center.
Bob Patterson (1-1) picked up the win in one inning of one-hit relief. Mel Rojas picked up his first save with one inning of relief.
Sandberg admitted he thought about the record more last season, his first back after he had voluntarily retired in June 1994. He finished with 25 home runs, two shy of Morgan’s mark, and had no doubt he’d break the record this season.
“Coming into this year, I hadn’t given it (the record) much thought,” he said. “I’ve taken it one year at a time. There was a point when I didn’t know if I was good enough to be a major league player. I’ve been through it all.”
Sandberg, who tied Morgan in his last at-bat in the eighth inning Friday with his first home run of the season, connected on a 2-2 pitch off starter Steve Cooke with one out in the second inning for the 272nd homer of his career.
The crowd of 29,323 gave Sandberg a standing ovation and he responded by tipping his cap at the top of the dugout steps.
Pirates manager Gene Lamont watched Sandberg’s homer but didn’t stay around much longer. He was ejected in the third after arguing with home-plate umpire Charlie Williams about whether Cooke hit Glanville with a pitch.
“I couldn’t tell if it hit him, I just thought it was a late call,” Lamont said. “He (Williams) should have pointed to first base right away. I swore at him (Williams). He warned me not to swear again. I did. He threw me out. It didn’t have a big bearing on the game.”
Cubs starter Frank Castillo failed to retire a batter. In the first, he walked Tony Womack and gave up a single to Jermaine Allensworth. Al Martin singled, scoring Womack, and Johnson walked to load the bases. Kevin Elster doubled, for two runs, chasing Castillo.