There's no replacement for a real spring training

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 1996 by Bob Nightengale

Wow, can you believe it? What a refreshing, wonderful feeling. We are actually having a genuine, honest-to-goodness spring training.

Come on, you remember that unique concept.

This will be a spring training where fans can actually see baseball players and not watch a fantasy camp for truck drivers and bartenders trying to become replacement players.

There is no strike, no lockout, no threat of a work stoppage. Oh, sure, we still have no labor agreement, no commissioner and no revenue sharing among clubs, but baseball is back ready to play a 162-game season.

We know the small-revenue teams still will stink, the rich clubs still will contend, but in the spring, everyone again will be euphoric about his chances.

We'll watch and listen to Albert Belle snapping at reporters, Drayton McLane threatening to move the Astros, George Steinbrenner firing a secretary or PR man, the Brewers moaning about the inequities of the system, the Cardinals and Orioles wearing name tags that say, "My name is," Barry Bonds griping that he's underappreciated, Mark McGwire wondering where everybody Went, Ozzie Smith insisting he deserves to continue being the Cardinals' shortstop, Tommy Lasorda carrying on about Dodger Blue, Dusty Baker and Don Baylor saying Lasorda's antics are nauseating, Ray Knight trying to back track from his remarks that managing is so easy, Reggie Sanders explaining his miserable postseason, the Mariners boasting that their town knows the difference between runs and points, Greg Maddux shrugging his shoulders at his phenomenal success, Mo Vaughn ridiculing the Red Sox for failing to sign him to a multiyear contract, Rickey Henderson taking potshots at Tony La Russa, La Russa taking shots at Henderson, and everyone in the world asking the Indians whether they will lose a game all season.

While we sit back and watch this glorious game return to our fives, let's reflect upon the offseason moves that guarantee the Indians will be back in the World Series and the A's will make the Brewers look like a powerhouse:

We Are Now A Contender Award: Cardinals. Walt Jocketty filled his shopping cart with two top starters in Andy Benes and Todd Stottlemyre, power-hitter Ron Gant, shortstop Royce Clayton, La Russa and just about everything else not bolted to the ground in Oakland.

Why Will Anybody Want To Watch Us Award: Athletics. Their entire starting rotation and entire starting outfield from Opening Day 1995 are gone. Dennis Eckersley is the next to go. Do you want to shell out $10 to watch McGwire being walked all year round?

The Back To Reality Award: Cecil Fielder, Tigers. Fielder suggested all winter he might be happier playing elsewhere. Guess what, so would the Tigers. The trouble is the Tigers couldn't give Fielder and his $7.2-million contract away.

Can You Spare A Snickers Award: Albert Belle. Belle may have a candy bar named after him, but he refused to give out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters, got his house egged and now is being sued for hitting a kid Belle was chasing in his truck.

Best Contract Award: Buck Showalter, Arizona Diamondbacks. You're out of work, you've just been rejected by the Tigers, but turn around and the Diamond-backs give you $7 million over seven years without having to manage a game for two years. Sure, happens to all of us.

Best Free Agent Sight Award: Roberto Alomar, Orioles. Alomar will add three years to Cal Ripken's career. Thank you.

Worst Free Agent Signing Award: Osvaldo Fernandez, Giants. The Giants shelled out $3.6 million over three years to a guy they believe is the next Hideo Nomo. Scouts will tell you he is no better than a fifth statter.

Most Improved Starting Rotation Award: Marlins. General Manager Dave Dombrowski got married over the winter and spent $26.3 million on presents: pitchers Kevin Brown, Al Leiter and Evan Hernandez.

Best Advice Award: Darren Daulton, Phillies. Daulton limped into General Manager Lee Thomas' office one day and was told that his team was negotiating with catcher Benito Santiago. "You better sign him," Daulton said, "because with the way my knees feel, I ain't catching no more."

The Rich Get Richer Award: Indians. just in case anyone had any notion that the Indians might slip this year, they signed ace Jack McDoweu. See ya in the World Series.

The Poor Get Poorer Award: Brewers. The Brewers not only lost B.J. Surhoff and failed to sign Paul Molitor, but also couldn't find anyone to take any of their money until Ben McDonald was left unescorted.

The Sieve Defensive Award: Royals. The Royals have assembled an infield that could have Keith Miller at third base, Jose Offerman at shortstop, Bip Roberts at second base and Bob Hamelin at first. Work on those strikeouts, boys.

The Gold Glove Team: Padres. They have five players on the team who have won Gold Gloves, including their entire starting outfield.

Best Concession Speech: Bill Buckner, White Sox. Buckner, rebutting criticism after being hired as hitting coach of the White Sox: "Hey, I'm the hitting coach, not the fielding coach."