Rothschild comes away star struck

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 12, 2000

ATLANTA -- Devil Rays manager Larry Rothschild said what he was looking forward to most at the All-Star Game was the chance to visit with some of the game's top players, managers and coaches.

Consider it a mission accomplished.

"It's been everything and more than I thought it would be," Rothschild said.

Rothschild threw batting practice Monday and spent time Tuesday with players on both teams.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said.

Rays trainer Jamie Reed was having a good time, too. That's because for the first time in a long while, he didn't have much to do.

"It was the first time I walked into the trainer's room and seen it empty," Rothschild said. "It was a new experience for me."

Reed, in his first major-league All-Star assignment, said he had a simple plan for the night: "I just want to be a fan." FAMILY AFFAIR: Players and coaches went onto the field for pregame introductions with their children. Rothschild had daughters Charlotte and Claire with him. Fred McGriff was accompanied by son Erick and daughter Ericka. ... Erick spent time on the field Monday shagging balls during the Home Run Derby, but he didn't catch any souvenirs. "All the big kids got them," he said.

MANNY TALKS: Outfielder Manny Ramirez broke what had been close to a season-long silence to say he'd prefer to remain with the Indians ... if they offer the right deal. "I want to stay in Cleveland; it's my favorite ballpark," he said. "But that's not up to me. So I guess I don't know." Ramirez is one of Cleveland's top players, but both sides have become disenchanted as he heads into free agency at the end of the season. The Indians also are unhappy that he has been on the disabled list for close to seven weeks becauses of a sore left hamstring. Ramirez has been rehabilitating with Triple-A Buffalo, but he went to Atlanta because "a lot of fans want to see me."

RELATIVE ADVICE: Gary Sheffield was excited to see his uncle Dwight Gooden make a comeback with the Yankees, but he had hoped it would be with the other New York team. "Personally, I told him to try and get back with the Mets and go out that way," Sheffield said. "That's where it all started, and that's the way it should be. But he said they weren't really interested."

McGRIFF ON THE MARK: McGriff is one of three players who became dual-league All-Stars. The others making their "other" league debut were Colorado's Jeff Cirillo (formerly with Milwaukee) and St. Louis' Jim Edmonds (Anaheim). There have been 91 players to play in All-Star Games for both leagues.

GROOVING: Bernie Williams plays a pretty good centerfield. He also plays a mean guitar. Williams got on stage with pop star Marc Antony and jammed during Monday night's All-Star party. "I had a great time," Williams said. Has he ever considered a post-baseball career in music? "No," Williams said. "I know my limitations."

HAPPY HOMECOMING: The game featured three former Braves (Joe Torre, Jermaine Dye and McGriff), two former Georgia Tech stars (Nomar Garciaparra and Kevin Brown), and an Atlanta area high school product (Todd Jones).

NO CHANCE FOR "HURT": Torre not only bypassed Frank Thomas when he picked the American League team, he didn't consider Thomas as a replacement when Cal Ripken and Alex Rodriguez became unavailable.

The White Sox first baseman said Sunday that he had plans and did not want to be in the game. He was never a consideration, Torre said.

"No, not because I don't respect what he's done," Torre said. "First base was very difficult. He's been DH-ing most of the time, and we don't have a DH this year. Edgar Martinez's numbers (for Seattle) are so glaring."

ALL-STAR MATTERS: This is the fifth time a stadium has been the site of a World Series one year and an All-Star Game the next. The others were the Polo Grounds, 1933-34; Detroit's Briggs Stadium, 1940-41; and Yankee Stadium, 1938-39 and 1976-77. ... Bobby Cox is the fifth manager to work an All-Star Game in his home park. The last was the Yankees' Billy Martin in 1977. ... Hall of Famer Hank Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch. ... Pop singer Brandy performed the national anthem. ... Florida pitcher Ryan Dempster is the 10th Canadian All-Star. ... Texas' Ivan Rodriguez made his eighth consecutive start behind the plate, tying Yogi Berra's AL record.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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