Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Spring Training

Twins' success a blueprint for Jays

A batch of homegrown talent hopes to build on a strong second half.

By JOEL POILEY
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 27, 2003

DUNEDIN -- The Blue Jays aren't quite ready to be this year's version of Minnesota. But with a talented crop of homegrown players, their maturation could be quite interesting to observe.

Once Valrico resident Carlos Tosca took over as manager in June for Buck Martinez, general manager J.P. Ricciardi purged the team of high-priced talent such as Raul Mondesi. Precocious youngsters such as pitchers Mark Hendrickson, Justin Miller and Pete Walker, along with designated hitter Josh Phelps, were front and center as more building blocks were inserted.

Combined with rising stars such as outfielders Vernon Wells (.275, 23 home runs, 100 RBIs) and Shannon Stewart (.303, 38 doubles) and American League Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske (.279, 24 homers, 84 RBIs), plus veteran slugger Carlos Delgado (.277, 33 homers, 108 RBIs), the Jays may do more than spin their wheels as they have the past four or five seasons.

Further emulating the Twins, the Jays' projected starting lineup has seven regulars who never played for another major-league team. Five are 26 or younger and only two older than 30.

To achieve their goal of .500 or better, the Jays need a consistent effort from their starting rotation. Right-hander Roy Halladay (19-7, 2.93 ERA) established himself as the ace last season. Former Devil Rays Cory Lidle and Tanyon Sturtze should eat up innings and save the bullpen. Hendrickson, Miller and Walker will vie for the last two spots.

Also key will be how Phelps, second baseman Orlando Hudson and shortstop Chris Woodward perform in their first full season as starters.

Much was made of Tosca being the sixth manager since 1900 never to have played in the majors. But his back-to-basics approach produced a 44-32 record after the All-Star break and renewed optimism.

"We have a lot of young guys who are hungry," Wells said. "We got a good man fired in Buck because we didn't play well for him, and that opened our eyes to start playing a little differently. Carlos stepped in and started teaching fundamentals again and little things about the game, and everybody started believing and getting better."

Tosca's teachings came with an additional caveat, Stewart said.

"We played well together the second half and that can carry over," Stewart said. "A lot of that was because of Carlos. He talks to everybody, keeps you aware of what's going on in the game, situations, thinking ahead. He's a good motivator."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright