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D'backs buzzing over first Bronx visit

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 29, 2001

PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks are looking forward to going to New York, and it's not just because they have a 2-0 lead in the World Series.

Many of their players have never been to Yankee Stadium and are excited about what will be an electrifying experience.

"For me to play in Yankee Stadium, to play in a World Series game there, I feel like it's going to be an honor," veteran Mark Grace said. "I'll be like a little geek out there, checking out the monuments, thinking about how I'm standing in the same batter's box that Mickey (Mantle) and (Lou) Gehrig and the Babe (Ruth) stood in."

The D'backs who have been there, such as Randy Johnson and Matt Williams, have been more than willing to share their experiences with their teammates.

"Just buckle up," Johnson said. "You're in for a ride.

"There's a lot of excitement there. All the great players that come through there. The monuments out by the bullpen. And the fans are incredible, very knowledgeable about the game. If you get booed there, you take it as a compliment. It's just going to be incredible to play there."

The D'backs will start their day on a somber note, planning a trip this morning to the site of the demolished World Trade Center to visit with rescue workers. "Obviously, reality will set in with a trip to Ground Zero," Johnson said.

EXTREMELY HONORED: Arizona pitcher Curt Schilling was more than excited to receive the Roberto Clemente Award, which honors a player who combines on-field skill with "devoted work in the community."

Schilling, who gives time and money to help fight ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), said "this award means more than anything I have received or ever will receive as a baseball player."

Schilling said he was honored to receive an award in Clemente's name because the first major-league game he attended was Clemente's final game, and Schilling's father told him wonderful stories about what a good person the Pirates star was. Schilling also said his two most prized pieces in his large memorabilia collection are a Gehrig jersey and hat from the 1927 World Series, and a signed Clemente bat.

Plus, Schilling said he told his wife 10 years ago that he wanted to win the Clemente award more than any other. "It will have meant that I did something in the time allotted me on this pedestal that had a positive impact on other peoples' lives," he said.

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: Major League Baseball took control of deciding whether the Bank One Ballpark roof would be open or closed. Balls seem to carry better when it is open, so Arizona's pitchers naturally prefer it to be closed. That would seem to be too much of a home-field advantage, and MLB officials ordered that the roof be open.

HISTORY LESSON: Of the 47 teams that have taken 2-0 Series leads, 36, including the past three Yankees teams, have gone on to win the championship. When the home team wins the first two, the success rate is even better: 24 of 31, including the past eight.

JETER HURTING?: Yankees star Derek Jeter hasn't done much since the division series, raising questions about whether he is hurt. Manager Joe Torre didn't exactly shoot down the idea.

"I know he's beat up a little bit," Torre said. "He's bounced all over the place, falling into the stands. I'm sure he's not 100 percent. I don't know if he's been 100 percent all year, to be honest with you."

THE 60 CLUB: With his Game 1 homer, Tampa's Luis Gonzalez became the sixth player to hit 60 in a combined regular and postseason. He joined Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ruth and Roger Maris.

MISCELLANY: The last Series shutout was Game 4 of the 1998 Series. ... The Yankees sent Roger Clemens back to New York on Sunday so he'd be rested for Tuesday's Game 3 start. ... Both teams will work out today at Yankee Stadium. ... Jeter's 14-game Series hitting streak, which ended Saturday, matched the third-longest in history.

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