Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Implosion of Veterans ends an era

FORT MYERS - Veterans Stadium, the Phillies' regular-season home from 1971-2003, is scheduled for destruction at 7 this morning. The 58-second implosion is scheduled to be shown live on Bay News 9 and on the videoboard at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater.

After playing for 33 years in the cookie-cutter stadium and not making the playoffs since 1993, the players can't wait for Citizens Bank Park to open next month.

Manager Larry Bowa, who played for, coached and managed the Phillies for 23 seasons during the Vet era, plans to watch the implosion, which will be shown later in the day to fans attending the Twins-Phillies game.

"It was good times," Bowa said, referring to his playing days, which included four NL East titles and the 1980 World Series championship. "We had a lot of good things happen there. Obviously, some of (the current) guys didn't have too many good things happen, so it doesn't mean as much to them."

PHILLERS: Jason Michaels homered for the second day in a row and Eric Milton held his former team to one run over five innings as the Phillies beat the Twins 6-1 to stretch their winning streak to three games. ... Third baseman David Bell, who is recovering from right shoulder tendinitis, took batting practice at the minor-league complex in Clearwater, his first swings since March 11. ... First baseman Jim Thome is scheduled to fly to Philadelphia tonight for Monday's follow-up exam on his fractured right middle finger. If he is cleared to resume hitting, he will do so off a tee. NEXT UP: The Phillies get another look at Minnesota at 1:05 today, this time in Clearwater. Kevin Millwood faces Tampa's Brad Radke.

- RANDY MILLER

FORT MYERS - Justin Miller, making his first start and third appearance after shoulder surgery, gave up no runs and one hit in three innings against the Red Sox.

"It's my best performance in about a year and a half," Miller said. "I still have a long way to go on my slider. ... I just need to throw it more, get a feel for it."

Manager Carlos Tosca figures Miller to be on the major-league scene at some point this season.

"I think he'll make a contribution this year," Tosca said. "His stuff is too good. It depends on the next couple of weeks."

TROUBLES BEHIND: Last year at this time Frank Catalanotto was sitting gingerly on the sideline with back problems stemming from a stress fracture. He is confident his back problems are a thing of the past.

"This offseason I did a lot of rehab on the back," he said. "Every day before I go out and stretch I do 15-20 minutes of my back program, the same as I did every day last season and for the most part my back was fine last year. I think I'm out of the woods with that as long as I stay on a strict program. I ice it after the games, before the games I'll heat it up. Last year at this time I felt like this could be it for me."

REGULAR LINEUP: With two weeks of spring training left, Tosca said he'll be leaving in his regulars longer.

"If the game doesn't get out of hand the regulars should go seven innings (today)," he said. "As the week progresses and through the final week, I'll kick them up to nine innings if the other teams have major-league pitching in there."

- MIKE RUTSEY

BRADENTON - Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had nothing new to report regarding a contract extension for closer Mariano Rivera. Cashman and Fernando Cuza, Rivera's agent, met on Friday. Cuza was believed to have made a $33-million, three-year proposal. The Yankees are thought to be looking for a two-year deal with a team or automatic option for the third season.

BROWN OUT: Starter Kevin Brown, who made his next-to-last start before pitching the second of the two regular-season games against Tampa Bay in Tokyo this month, threw 50 of 73 pitches for strikes against the Pirates, but committed a balk after former Yankees outfielder Raul Mondesi doubled in the second.

"He was like a high-wire act. He was all over the place," manager Joe Torre said. "He was throwing the ball good, but couldn't locate. At this point, all I care about is his health and he's fine."

MUSSINA NAMED: Mike Mussina was formally named the opening-day starter vs. the Rays.

INJURIES: Two infielders went down with minor injuries, utilityman and ex-Ray Miguel Cairo (hamstring) and second baseman Enrique Wilson (ankle). Torre said both could be sidelined for a few days.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS