Head-first slides taboo for Astros
As soon as Ben Zobrist launched himself toward the bag, he knew he was out.
Out of the game, that is.
Determined to cut down on risky headfirst slides, the Houston Astros are doing something about it. They’ve put a unique policy into effect for all of their minor leaguers: If any of them try it at first base or home plate, their manager is required to immediately pull them.
While All-Stars Roberto Alomar, Derek Jeter and Scott Rolen have gotten hurt in the past going headfirst — and Junior Spivey, Rafael Furcal and Carl Everett were banged up this year — the Astros want to teach their young players to avoid them.
“We tell our guys that it’s a low-percentage play, and that you can get injured doing it,” Astros director of player development Tim Purpura said.
Only a week into his pro career, Zobrist got an early exit recently with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A New York-Penn League. Hoping to beat out an infield grounder against Batavia, the promising prospect made a dive for it.
Zobrist was nipped in a close play, then heard manager Gregg Langbehn whistle from the dugout. One inning into the game, Zobrist was already back on the bench.
“As soon as I did it, I thought, ‘Oh, no!’ ” said Zobrist, picked in the sixth round of the June draft. “I knew I was getting taken out.
“They told me about the rule when I got here. I’d done it in college, but that’s the lesson I learned.”
Langbehn said: “He was trying to make a hustle play, and I can’t fault him for that. But how many sprinters dive across the finish line? You’re better off running through the bag.”
The Astros make exceptions for plays in which runners go headfirst trying to avoid tags. Diving into second base and third base is allowed, although not encouraged.
Purpura said the policy went into effect after Roger Cedeno broke his hand on a headfirst slide into first base in May 2000. The Houston speedster spent nearly three months on the disabled list, and the Astros looked to cut down on dislocated digits and jammed joints.
Strawberry returns to Shea
Nearly 14 years after his sweet swing sent mammoth home runs over the Shea Stadium fences for the New York Mets, Darryl Strawberry decided he had been away for too long.
“It’s nice to come back to a place where I first started,” Strawberry said Saturday before the Mets played the Philadelphia Phillies. “There’s a lot of memories for me here.”
Strawberry participated in a meet-and-greet session with fans, along with former Mets Lenny Dykstra, Keith Hernandez, Bud Harrelson, Jerry Grote and Ed Kranepool — his first appearance at a team function since signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent after the 1990 season.
He had been asked to take part in Mets alumni events in previous years, but declined.
“It just wasn’t the time,” he said.
Strawberry, now 42 and living in Tampa, Fla., appeared trim and healthy — looking as if he’s exorcised the personal demons that plagued him throughout his playing career.
“A restoration has taken place in me,” said Strawberry, who has overcome drug addiction and cancer, and has served time in prison.
He now spends most of his time as a minister with the Without Walls International Church in Tampa.
Prior has encouraging workout
Mark Prior threw for about five minutes on a flat surface Saturday before the Chicago Cubs played the Milwaukee Brewers.
“For the most part I felt pretty good,” Prior said.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild also was encouraged by the workout.
“He threw pretty much without pain,” Rothschild said.
Prior is to throw a more intense bullpen session today. The Cubs haven’t decided if he will make his scheduled start Tuesday.
Clearing the bases
Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay will make his scheduled start on Wednesday in New York against the Yankees despite concerns about his sore shoulder… . The Royals activated outfielder Aaron Guiel from the 15-day DL and assigned him to Double-A Wichita… . Cardinals pitcher Mike Lincoln will miss the rest of the season after having elbow ligament replacement surgery.