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By MIKE READLING
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 10, 2001
ST. PETERSBURG -- All Yankees manager Joe Torre wants is for June 30, 2000, to happen again.
That was the day New York acquired David Justice from the Cleveland Indians, firming up the power in their batting order and putting the finishing touches on a team that was on the verge of winning its third consecutive World Series title.
Because it's August and Justice is wearing pinstripes, Torre is going to have to settle for the same kind of boost the designated hitter provided last year.
It appears the manager is getting exactly that.
Since returning from a groin injury that caused him to miss 45 games, Justice entered Thursday night's game against Tampa Bay on a streak in which he had hit home runs in three straight games and was four for his last eight at-bats. For the season he was hitting .247 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI.
Perhaps more important to Justice and the Yankees was the fact he earned Torre's nod to get back into the everyday lineup. Torre had been using Justice strictly against right-handers while evaluating his swing and running ability.
In fact, Torre slept on the decision to start Justice Wednesday night against the left-handed Nick Bierbrodt, a decision rewarded with a Justice home run in the fourth inning. He finished with four RBI.
"He's going to play," Torre said. "He's had some quality at-bats against left-handers, the base hit he had the other day sort of gave me the idea that he's staying in better, and then the home run he had (Wednesday). It was good. We need him."
Torre is hoping that Justice's return after missing six weeks will provide the same spark that Justice gave the Yankees last year when he came in and recorded 20 home runs and 60 RBI.
"I had mentioned that getting him back is like making a trade after the deadline," Torre said. "I hope it turns out that way."