Lucky Break Helps Phils’ Rolen Become N.L. Rookie Of The Year
Scott Rolen owes his National League Rookie of the Year award to Steve Trachsel.
On Sept. 7, 1996, the Chicago pitcher broke Rolen’s right forearm with a pitch in the third inning of the Cubs’ game against the Phillies. At the time, Rolen had 130 at-bats - the maximum a player is allowed before losing his rookie status.
One more at-bat and Rolen would have been ineligible for this year’s award.
“This would be a good time to thank Steve Trachsel, who was a big part of this,” Rolen said Tuesday after he won the N.L. rookie award in a unanimous vote. “At the time, I wasn’t really happy with him. Now I might give him a call and thank him.”
Philadelphia’s 22-year-old third baseman broke the Los Angeles Dodgers’ five-year hold on the award after becoming the youngest N.L. player to reach 90 RBIs since Darryl Strawberry in 1984. Rolen led N.L. rookies in batting average (.283), runs (93), hits (159), doubles (35), homers (21) and RBIs (92).
The Cleveland Indians declined a $4.8 million option on pitcher Jack McDowell and the New York Yankees decided not to exercise their $1.4 million option on second baseman Pat Kelly.
The New York Mets, meanwhile, declined a $4.5 million 1999 option on second baseman Carlos Baerga.
Two more players filed for free agency - Atlanta second baseman Mark Lemke and Kansas City right-hander Ricky Bones - raising the total to 128. Thirteen more players remain eligible to file by Monday’s deadline.
A Houston jury took 4 minutes to clear baseball star Wade Boggs of civil assault in a profanity-laced verbal encounter with an airline attendant on a New York Yankees team flight in 1996.
Continental Airlines attendant Karen M. Plympton said an alcohol-affected Boggs subjected her to sexist slurs, vulgar terms and threats that terrified her.
However, defense testimony showed that Plympton partook in escalating verbal potshots as a put-down to the words from the 39-year-old ballplayer.
Rick Rizzs and Ron Fairly will return to the Seattle Mariners’ broadcast team to be with No. 1 announcer Dave Niehaus next season, the team announced.