The book on … Russ Ortiz

Sporting News, The, May 24, 1999

Giants, RHP 6-1 /210

Having just been matched against veteran John Smoltz in the 20th starting assignment of his big-league career, Giants pitcher Russ Ortiz summed up the experience this way: "He's one of the best pitchers in the league, obviously. It was fun to go head-to-head against him. I'm trying to get to his level."

Ortiz, who turns 25 in early June, knows that measuring up to Smoltz will take some doing. But after pitching eight innings of four-hit, one-run ball and beating Smoltz and the Braves on May 10 at 3Com Park, Ortiz took another notable step toward becoming a force on the Giants' staff and one of the premising pitchers in the National League.

"Ortiz never gave us a chance to score," Smoltz said of the 1995 fourth-round draft choice out of the University of Oklahoma." ... He wouldn't give in."

Encouraged by the remarks--Smoltz also said Ortiz might have the potential to emulate him ("Did he really say that?" Ortiz said)--Ortiz, in his second season, was basking in heady praise for the fourth time in 2 1/2 weeks. Over that span, he was 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

Ortiz, who started the season 1-2, got into a groove in his fourth start when he pitched the Giants' first complete game since last August, beating the Rockies on a six-hitter.

Ortiz, who walked only two batters against Colorado and Atlanta, said he had good control in spring training, but "when the season started, I was just missing (13 walks in his first 19 innings). It was a concern. But I've been able to get out of my jams. That gives me a boost."

Ortiz's performance also has given a boost to the Giants, helping them stay in the N.L. West race. Not a bad contribution from a guy who had a tough rookie year in '98--he went from the Giants to Class AAA three times.

Now it seems Ortiz is in San Francisco to stay.

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Diamondbacks starting pitcher Andy Benes could become available when lefthander Brian Anderson returns from the minor leagues. Benes has a no-trade clause and a player option for the 2000 season at $6 million, but probably would allow himself to be traded to a contending team under the right circumstances--particularly if that team is St. Louis.... A's sale update: The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority has thrown its support to the prospective ownership group that includes Northern California supermarket magnate Robert Piccinini and former Ns executive Andy Dolich, but don't be surprised if commissioner Bud Selig pushes hard for the competing group, headed by Arizona banker Lyle P. Campbell and Bay Area attorney Michael Lazarus.... The Reds still haven't recalled second baseman Carlos Baerga, even though he has been on a tear at Class AAA Indianapolis. The reason? G.M. Jim Bowden and the Reds want Baerga to lose more weight before committing to pay him a major league salary.... How long can the Orioles afford to wait to replace manager Ray Miller? Not much longer. Tom Trebelhorn or Sam Perlozzo could be the interim manager within the week.... The Rockies approached the Twins about reliever Rick Aguilera but balked when the Twins asked for pitching prospect Jamey Wright in return.... The Marlins are pondering a shakeup that could push several young players back to the minor leagues. It will be interesting to see if they promote hot-hitting Class AAA third baseman Kevin Millar, who ruffled some feathers recently when he jokingly proposed a best-of-seven series between Class AAA Calgary and the major league club for the right to represent the organization at the major league level. Millar apologized and insists the published comments were taken out of context .... Dodgers ace Kevin Brown is pitching well, but his 4-2 record and 2.75 ERA seem less impressive in relation to the huge contract. "I feel for him because I think a lot of the time he feels the weight of the world is on his shoulders," Dodgers manager Davey Johnson says. "Kevin thinks he has to do it all. He doesn't."

TSN'S
Power Poll

Rk.   Team             W-L     Comment (The Phantom Menace edition)
 1.   Cleveland        26-9    Racking up more hits than a Star Wars
                               internet site.
 2.   Houston          23-12   Team defense wound tighter than
                               Princess Leia's hair.
 3    Atlanta          21-14   Starting rotation's subtitle: The
                               Phantom Maddux.
 4.   N.Y. Yankees     20-15   Suddenly, the A.L. East is as close
                               as Anakin's Podrace.
 5    N.Y. Mets        21-15   Team considers more youthful
                               alternative to Hershiser--Yoda.
 6.   Texas            21-15   Offense has more firepower than the
                               Gungan warriors.
 7.   Arizona          21-16   Team looking as good as Amidala the
                               Naboo queen.
 8    San Francisco    21-16   Giants hope Mueller's return will
                               have some special effects.
 9.   Los Angeles      20-16   Mondesi has been Tatooine the ball.
10.   Boston           20-15   Return of the Jeff Frye has been a
                               hit at Fenway.
11.   Philadelphia     19-16   Giants couldn't hit if he corked his
                               bat with a light sabre.
12    Chi. White Sox   18-15   Three team members were 1 year old
                               when Star Wars debuted.
13    Chi. Cubs        17-16   Rod Chew-Beck-a explains his recent
                               struggles: "Aawwwwrrrhhh!"
14.   Oakland          20-17   A's need droid C-3PO to tell them
                               the proper protocol of a contender.
15.   Pittsburgh       18-17   E-5 is not a new PM character--it
                               means Sprague is in the game.
16.   St. Louis        18-17   Disabled list looking like a Phantom
                               Menace ticket line.
17.   Kansas City      18-17   They were good a long, long time
                               ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
18.   Tampa Bay        18-19   One-hit wonders: Saunders' career
                               looking like Mark Hamill's.
19.   Anaheim          17-20   Pitch around No. 3 hitter Vaughn,
                               and may the four be with you.
20.   Milwaukee        16-18   Jedis wipe out federation like
                               injuries wipe out Brewers infielders.
21.   Toronto          18-20   Former Ewok Craig Grebeck rejoins
                               team.
22.   Seattle          15-21   Jar Jar Binks provides comic relief,
                               just like the M's bullpen.
23.   Detroit          15-21   Club should hire Luke to destroy
                               stadium in Death Star-like style,
24.   Cincinnati       15-18   If Lucas spent millions to digitally
                               recreate this team' they'd still be
                               awful.
25.   Colorado         14-18   Watching these pitchers is like
                               watching Jabba the Hutt eat Yuck.
26.   San Diego        15-20   Team wishes it could do a prequel
                               too, because this sequel stinks.
27.   Minnesota        13-23   Todd "Sky" Walker hitting more like
                               R2-D2.
28.   Baltimore        12-24   Team costs Star Wars money but looks
                               like Space Balls.
29.   Montreal         10-24   Team is as popular as Darth Maul on
                               Naboo.
30.   Florida          10-26   Young team begs Boles, "Please, can
                               we go buy action figures?"