Sports: Hernandez fitting in with Royals

Hernandez fitting in with Royals

By JOHN ROMANO

CLEARWATER -- Roberto Hernandez never wanted to leave Tampa Bay. And, yet, he no longer is sorry to be gone.

Putting on a new uniform Friday at Jack Russell Stadium for his first spring game as a Royal, Hernandez expressed mixed emotions about the January trade that sent him to Kansas City and brought Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay.

Unhappy about leaving the area he still calls home, Hernandez said he has a renewed enthusiasm after his first few weeks with the Royals.

"This is the first time in a few years that I've been on a team -- be it San Francisco, be it Chicago or Tampa Bay -- that you don't have any (jerks) in the clubhouse. Or a guy who just likes to stir things up," Hernandez said. "The manager makes the rules and everybody abides by them. Everybody genuinely pulls for each other here and that's exciting.

"Nobody is above the team. That's (Tony Muser's) rule and that's his main rule. The team comes first so everybody is on the same page."

Hernandez, 36, always maintained he wanted to be with the Rays from the franchise's start until the team became a contender. He bought a home in Largo and said his family will continue to live in the bay area despite the trade. He plans to build a new house on the Pinellas beaches.

And he said he will pull for the Rays from afar.

"I really hope they do well," Hernandez said. "I hope they can avoid the injuries, because Larry (Rothschild) really hasn't had a chance the last three years. He hasn't had a set lineup or rotation to work with."

Muser said Hernandez not only will help solidify what was one of the worst bullpens in the American League, he also will bring a presence to the clubhouse. That, Hernandez said, means even more to him.

"They let me help. And that's very exciting. I have a lot of guys coming up to talk to me. Young and old. Just coming by to pick my brain. That's refreshing," Hernandez said. "I tried to be like that in Tampa, but I always got scrutinized or felt like I was stepping on somebody's toes.

"That's what you have veterans for, to help the younger guys. I couldn't do that before -- here I can."

Hernandez said there were days immediately after the trade when he was perturbed with the Rays. He first heard about the deal in a phone call from Times reporter Marc Topkin. Hernandez said he would have at least appreciated some notice that a potential deal was in the works.

"The sad thing is that I heard it from the press first," Hernandez said. "It didn't seem right. If you were thinking about trading me, why not call me ahead of time ... I think I deserved more respect than that."

The initial unhappiness has passed and Hernandez said he is looking forward to having a chance to contend with Kansas City.

"A door closed and another one opened," Hernandez said. "This may turn out to be the best thing for me. I wish the best for everybody in Tampa."

THE SURGICAL DIET: Dodgers third baseman Adrian Beltre has gone more than a month without eating solid food and has lost 20 pounds since emergency appendectomy surgery in the Dominican Republic. A post-operative infection has slowed his recovery. The Dodgers could open the season with Dave Hansen or Tim Bogar at third base.

NEAR THE END: It is looking more and more likely that John Wetteland will not pitch again. The Rangers closer has not picked up a ball since the end of last season while trying to rehabilitate a serious back injury. "Unless a lot of things happen, I don't think you're going to see him pitch again," said Tim Crabtree, who inherits the closer's job and has switched to Wetteland's No. 35 in honor of his teammate. "Believe me, I'd love to have John back."

A FINAL GO: Tampa's John Hudek is attempting a comeback with the Rockies. The former Plant High right-hander made the All-Star team as a rookie with the Astros in 1994 but has battled injuries since. Hudek, 34, missed all of last season after rotator cuff surgery.

BIG MONEY HURT: White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf escaped a bad contract with Albert Belle because of an escape clause and he may do the same with Frank Thomas. If Thomas does not make the All-Star team, finish in the top 10 of the MVP voting or win the Silver Slugger award, Reinsdorf can pay him a $250,000 base salary next year with $10.125-million deferred. Thomas, in turn, could terminate the contract. When Thomas showed up at White Sox camp, he said he had a gentleman's agreement with Reinsdorf that the clause would not be invoked. A day later, Reinsdorf and Thomas released a joint statement saying no oral agreements had been reached.

NOW OR NEVER: San Diego's patience with Ruben Rivera is wearing thin. The Padres let Steve Finley escape to Arizona two years ago with the idea that the multitalented Rivera was ready to take over in center. Yet Rivera has alienated teammates with a lackadaisical attitude -- not to mention a .208 batting average last year. "In my mind, Ruben should be a superstar. I guess he can't figure it out," Padres pitcher Woody Williams said. "It takes one thing for it to click with people. Maybe that one thing hasn't clicked with Ruben yet. I hope it does."

SPIN MOVE: After going from 21 wins in 1999 to 16 losses last season Houston's Jose Lima is experimenting with a windup that includes a twisting motion a la Hideo Nomo. "It's a way to trick hitters and make it hard for them to pick up the ball," Lima said. "I plan to do it all year. Unless I get lit up."

ABOUT TIME: Unlike certain other sluggers, Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel did not whine when his multiyear contract became outdated. He was finally rewarded with a two-year, $15-million extension. After the '95 season he signed a six-year, $18-million deal. "It seemed like Bob Feller was still pitching for the Indians when I signed that contract."

- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.