Lee Not Yet A Familiar Face At Diamondbacks’ Camp
Rookie first baseman Travis Lee was such a surprise arrival at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ spring training complex Monday that a security guard wouldn’t let him in.
Lee came to his first major league training camp three days before the position players’ first scheduled workout. He was admitted only after a fan outside the parking lot asked for an autograph.
“I’m a little nervous. I didn’t think I was going to get this way. But looking at the names above the lockers - Matt Williams, Jay Bell, Andy Benes - just looking at those names, my gosh, it’s crazy,” Lee said. “It’s hard to realize I’m here.”
Lee, 22, is considered the favorite to win the expansion Diamondbacks’ first base job after hitting 32 homers and driving in 109 runs with two minor league teams last season.
“It is not his job to lose,” manager Buck Showalter said. “We don’t have a first baseman. We’ve never had a first baseman. With his work habits, I know Travis is going to be as good as he is capable of being. It’s very comforting. We’ll find out how good he is capable of being. Our job is to help make the transition easier.”
Martinez unfazed
Pedro Martinez simply strolled out of the clubhouse and found himself in the middle of a media crush. He better get used to it.
A Cy Young Award, a rich contract and a new role as star of the Boston Red Sox staff should keep the spotlight on him in baseball-crazy Boston. He’s not in Montreal anymore, where hockey got more hype than his brilliant pitching.
What’s the biggest difference between the Red Sox and Expos?
“Not so many cameras and reporters,” he said of his old surroundings, “but I’m doing the same thing.”
He hadn’t even thrown his first pitch of spring training when reporters and cameras surrounded him on the first day of workouts for Boston pitchers and catchers. He made three things clear: The money won’t spoil him, the media won’t faze him and the switch of leagues won’t change his approach.
“I only know one way to pitch,” he said, “and until somebody teaches me something different, I’m going to have to do it the way I know.”
Williams talk of Yankees camp
Even though he’s not in camp yet, Bernie Williams’ future already is dominating spring training for the New York Yankees.
The 29-year-old center fielder is scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing Wednesday in Phoenix, and his agent says Williams will file for free agency after the season.
“Bernie doesn’t want to cause a distraction anymore than we want to have one, but we know it’s going to be one for a time,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said.
Williams is asking for a raise from $5.3 million to $9 million, which would be a record for a one-year contract. The Yankees are offering $7.5 million, and agent Scott Boras has said Williams isn’t interested in negotiating a settlement.
Williams is expected to report either Thursday or Friday.
Indians sign Dunston
Shawon Dunston and the Cleveland Indians agreed Monday to a $400,000, one-year contract, and the infielder will report to spring training today.
Dunston, 34, would have his salary raised to $1 million if he makes the Indians’ opening day roster.
xxxx Still at odds NEW YORK Figures for the 10 players remaining in salary arbitration, as obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources: American League Player, team 1997 Asked Offered Jeffrey Hammonds, Baltimore 490,000 1,850,000 1,300,000 Tony Tarasco, Baltimore 270,000 485,000 340,000 Ray Durham, Chicago 310,000 2,450,000 1,500,000 Bernie Williams, New York 5,300,000 9,000,000 7,500,000 National League Javy Lopez, Atlanta 2,050,000 4,300,000 3,500,000 Charles Johnson, Florida 290,000 3,300,000 2,250,000 Carl Everett, Houston 205,000 1,450,000 700,000 Todd Hollandsworth, L.A. 550,000 1,150,000 700,000 Jose Mercedes, Milwuakee 153,000 1,050,000 615,000 Joey Hamilton, San Diego 675,000 3,250,000 2,375,000