|
|
|
|
|
|
Vina Aiming High With New Team
R.B. Fallstrom
March 5, 2000
In the spring opener, Fernando Vina gave the St. Louis Cardinals a sneak peak of what their new leadoff hitter can do.
In the first inning of Friday's game against the New York Mets, Vina legged out an infield hit and scored on Fernando Tatis' two-out single. In the second, with one out and a man on first, Vina lined a single to center and scored on Ray Lankford's double.
For a player coming off a lost season, it was the perfect start.
"This doesn't mean anything," Vina said. "But I wanted to show them what I can bring to this table."
His teammates already knew.
"I played against him for quite a few years," first baseman Mark McGwire said. "He's annoying. Now he's annoying for them."
Vina, who'll be 31 next month, was an All-Star in 1998 for the Milwaukee Brewers. That year he batted .311, had an on-base percentage of .386 and stole 22 bases. He used his speed to get on base, and kept the pressure on.
"He causes havoc," McGwire said.
Vina wants to be known as the best second baseman in baseball, and that's the kind of thing manager Tony La Russa likes to hear. La Russa has been impressed with Vina's work ethic.
"He wants it all and he's got the ability," La Russa said. "I love it. Shoot for the stars."
Last year, though, he was damaged goods after a May 9 collision with teammate Jeromy Burnitz. Bothered by a deep thigh bruise that eventually caused tendinitis in his right knee, Vina played in only 37 games. His market value decreased to the point where it cost the Cardinals only right-hander Juan Acevedo and two minor leaguers to be named to get him in December.
Vina also had become expendable in Milwaukee with the emergence of rookie Ron Belliard, who hit .295 with eight homers and 58 RBIs.
The trade is expected to fill two huge voids. Last year, the Cardinals had no bonafide leadoff hitter, and tried several players at second base. The Vina deal shifts Joe McEwing, who wore down after a strong first half and has no speed, back to super sub.
"I'm in really good shape," Vina said. "I worked hard all winter and I'm as ready as I've ever been."
Aside from his health, Vina is excited to be on a contender for the first time in his career. He spent his first five seasons with the low-budget Brewers, and is impressed at the Cardinals' other offseason pickups, including pitchers Andy Benes, Pat Hentgen and Darryl Kile.
That's not to mention getting a chance to hit a couple spots ahead of McGwire.
"It's awesome," Vina said. "I've never had this type of support behind me. We should score a lot of runs."
Vina can help even more with better baserunning, and he knows it. His career stealing percentage is just so-so, although he blamed part of the problem on the Brewers' offense.
"I think in Milwaukee I put a lot of pressure on myself to try and get things going," Vina said. "You force things, that's human nature. This lineup, I'll be able to pick my spots."
"I've got speed, but I've got to tame it a little bit."
The Cardinals had help on hand this week with Hall of Famer Lou Brock, second on the career steals list, helping to tutor Vina.
"We'll get it worked out," Brock said.
The Associated Press
|
| |
