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Championship!!!!
D-Backs notebook: Johnson offers up some advice
By Ed Price,
Tribune
BALTIMORE - In 1992, Randy Johnson got some advice from Nolan Ryan that helped turn his career around. Johnson tries to repay the favor by doing the same for other pitchers.
So on Thursday, Johnson had a heart-to-heart — perhaps more of a lecture — with underachieving Baltimore Orioles right-hander Sidney Ponson.
Longtime Orioles coach Elrod Hendricks was talking to Johnson about Ponson, who is in the first season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract and has an ERA (6.47) as inflated as his waistline.
Hendricks decided to bring over Ponson, and Johnson “kind of got in his face a little bit.”
Johnson, 40, told Ponson, 27, the importance of dedication and a work ethic between starts.
“You throw harder than me,” Johnson told Ponson. “You're younger than me. But it's got to come (from) within. Something's got to click for you.
“You're making a lot of money. You owe it to yourself, the fans, your organization. You won 17 games last year. Why not shoot for 20?”
Ponson told The (Baltimore) Sun: “I appreciate that, it's the first time I met him.”
Johnson gave Ponson advice on how to improve his workout routine and then said from now on he would be sure to keep track of how Ponson is pitching.
“Don't waste my time here,” Johnson told Ponson in closing. “I'll be checking on you.”
BAERGA OUT
Carlos Baerga, placed on the disabled list because of a left calf strain suffered Wednesday, and catcher Brent Mayne (lower back strain) underwent MRIs on Thursday in Phoenix.
In order to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder Andy Green, called up to take Baerga's spot, Arizona transferred reliever Matt Mantei to the 60-day DL, meaning he cannot be activated until July 8.
In 54 games for Class AAA Tucson, Green hit .330 with 25 doubles, eight homers and 34 RBIs. Green, a teammate of Brandon Webb's at the University of Kentucky, played 19 games at second base for Tucson, 27 at third, three at shortstop and five in left field.
The first player in D-Backs history to wear jersey No. 1, Green was a 24th-round pick of the D-Backs in 2000.
SHORT HOPS
Matt Kata is scheduled for a second MRI on Monday on his dislocated left shoulder. . . .
With Baerga out, Alan Zinter was the designated hitter Thursday. Manager Bob Brenly said he would like to use his regular outfielders (Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley and Danny Bautista) once each as the DH in the three-game series at Toronto. In that case, Doug DeVore or Tim Olson would likely play the outfield. . . .
Juan Brito, called up Wednesday, got the start at catcher and got praise from Brenly for his work behind the plate. Robby Hammock, in a 3-for-18 slide, got the night off. “That was a rough night (Wednesday for Hammock),” Brenly said. “He must have blocked 60 balls in the dirt, chased another 10 to the backstop, in 97 degrees and high humidity. He was whipped at the end of that game.” . . .
Utilityman Donnie Sadler, designated for assignment last Saturday, cleared waivers but has apparently opted for free agency rather than an outright assignment to Tucson. . . .
If Kevin Brown is OK, the pitching matchups for next week's series against the New York Yankees are Brown vs. Brandon Webb, Jose Contreras vs. Casey Fossum and Mike Mussina vs. Steve Sparks. The three Arizona starters make a combined $1.18 million; each New York starter makes at least $9 million.
http://www.aztrib.com/index.php?sty=22917
By Ed Price,
Tribune
BALTIMORE - In 1992, Randy Johnson got some advice from Nolan Ryan that helped turn his career around. Johnson tries to repay the favor by doing the same for other pitchers.
So on Thursday, Johnson had a heart-to-heart — perhaps more of a lecture — with underachieving Baltimore Orioles right-hander Sidney Ponson.
Longtime Orioles coach Elrod Hendricks was talking to Johnson about Ponson, who is in the first season of a three-year, $22.5 million contract and has an ERA (6.47) as inflated as his waistline.
Hendricks decided to bring over Ponson, and Johnson “kind of got in his face a little bit.”
Johnson, 40, told Ponson, 27, the importance of dedication and a work ethic between starts.
“You throw harder than me,” Johnson told Ponson. “You're younger than me. But it's got to come (from) within. Something's got to click for you.
“You're making a lot of money. You owe it to yourself, the fans, your organization. You won 17 games last year. Why not shoot for 20?”
Ponson told The (Baltimore) Sun: “I appreciate that, it's the first time I met him.”
Johnson gave Ponson advice on how to improve his workout routine and then said from now on he would be sure to keep track of how Ponson is pitching.
“Don't waste my time here,” Johnson told Ponson in closing. “I'll be checking on you.”
BAERGA OUT
Carlos Baerga, placed on the disabled list because of a left calf strain suffered Wednesday, and catcher Brent Mayne (lower back strain) underwent MRIs on Thursday in Phoenix.
In order to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder Andy Green, called up to take Baerga's spot, Arizona transferred reliever Matt Mantei to the 60-day DL, meaning he cannot be activated until July 8.
In 54 games for Class AAA Tucson, Green hit .330 with 25 doubles, eight homers and 34 RBIs. Green, a teammate of Brandon Webb's at the University of Kentucky, played 19 games at second base for Tucson, 27 at third, three at shortstop and five in left field.
The first player in D-Backs history to wear jersey No. 1, Green was a 24th-round pick of the D-Backs in 2000.
SHORT HOPS
Matt Kata is scheduled for a second MRI on Monday on his dislocated left shoulder. . . .
With Baerga out, Alan Zinter was the designated hitter Thursday. Manager Bob Brenly said he would like to use his regular outfielders (Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley and Danny Bautista) once each as the DH in the three-game series at Toronto. In that case, Doug DeVore or Tim Olson would likely play the outfield. . . .
Juan Brito, called up Wednesday, got the start at catcher and got praise from Brenly for his work behind the plate. Robby Hammock, in a 3-for-18 slide, got the night off. “That was a rough night (Wednesday for Hammock),” Brenly said. “He must have blocked 60 balls in the dirt, chased another 10 to the backstop, in 97 degrees and high humidity. He was whipped at the end of that game.” . . .
Utilityman Donnie Sadler, designated for assignment last Saturday, cleared waivers but has apparently opted for free agency rather than an outright assignment to Tucson. . . .
If Kevin Brown is OK, the pitching matchups for next week's series against the New York Yankees are Brown vs. Brandon Webb, Jose Contreras vs. Casey Fossum and Mike Mussina vs. Steve Sparks. The three Arizona starters make a combined $1.18 million; each New York starter makes at least $9 million.
http://www.aztrib.com/index.php?sty=22917
