Baseball

Ballpark finale elicits memories

CLEARWATER -- Phillies Hall of Fame right-hander Robin Roberts threw the first pitch at Jack Russell Stadium in 1955.

Today, he will throw out the first pitch before the Phillies' final spring game at the old yellow ballpark in the North Greenwood section.

It will be an emotional day for many Phillies employees, who have called the place home for years.

Larry Shenk, Phillies public relations director since 1964, said he vividly remembers one thing about his first spring.

"Don Hoak was the veteran third baseman in camp," Shenk said. "Richie Allen was the rookie and I just remember Hoak standing behind him with his arms crossed and staring him down. Some of the shots Richie Allen hit that spring were unbelievable."

Allen went on to become NL rookie of the year.

Next season, the Phillies will play their Grapefruit League games at a yet-to-be-named ballpark adjacent to their Carpenter Complex facility.

Everyone acknowledges it will be a nice place, but it won't be Jack Russell Stadium.

"For me, it was like being at Cheers every day," Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen said. "It's just a quaint place. That's what is so neat about it. ... To me, this is going to be like losing your favorite 20-year-old La-Z-Boy recliner."

INJURY REPORT: Reserve infielder Tyler Houston could join four others on the disabled list to start the season. Houston is bothered by sore ribs after being hit by a pitch Saturday in Fort Myers and was awaiting the results of several tests. Brandon Duckworth, Turk Wendell and David Coggin and outfielder Jason Michaels will open on the DL. Jim Thome is expected to return today after being hit in the right arm by a pitch Wednesday.

Widger helps bid for catching job

TAMPA -- It's getting down to the nitty-gritty end of Yankees spring training, and decisions will come down soon enough on who goes and who stays.

For those battling for roster spots, such as catcher Chris Widger, every little contribution counts. In Thursday's game against Toronto, he hit a two-run homer in the sixth to put New York ahead.

The Yankees won 12-6 after trailing 5-4 in the top of the sixth. The rally was started by Widger and Jason Giambi, who also homered in the sixth.

Widger is competing with former Devil Ray John Flaherty, a nonroster invitee who did not play Thursday, for the backup catcher position.

General manager Brian Cashman said there's a definite possibility one will get traded, and Flaherty said he's comfortable waiting.

NOTES: Tampa's Monsignor Laurence Higgins led a pregame prayer for those serving in the military and fighting in Iraq. ... The Yankees optioned outfielder Juan Rivera to Triple-A Columbus.

Top rookie moved into RBI spot

TAMPA -- Eric Hinske, last season's AL rookie of the year, will have a new home in the Blue Jays batting order.

Manager Carlos Tosca said the third baseman will bat sixth after batting second for most of 2002. Frank Catalanotto will step into the second spot.

"The thing that I like most about it is that (Shannon Stewart) and Cat are almost identical, one guy from the right and one from the left," Tosca said. "They foul off a lot of pitches, they see a lot of pitches, and I think from the get-go, it puts the pitcher in that kind of setting."

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