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Back In The Hunt
Vina Thrilled To Be With Cardinals
By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel Staff
March 8, 2000
Jupiter, Fla. - During his last few seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Fernando Vina tried to keep a positive outlook - but it wasn't always easy.
"You try to pump yourself up, psyche yourself up to believe that you're going to win and be good," said Vina. "We just didn't have the pitchers or the players.
"You can't win like that, I don't care who you are. You can only go so far with what we had. Here, it's a whole different feeling."
"Here" is the spring training camp of the St. Louis Cardinals, to whom Vina was traded over the winter. The diminutive second baseman says he no longer has to talk himself into believing his club has a chance to contend.
For that, Vina is grateful to the Brewers' new regime for getting him out of yet another Brewers rebuilding program. With seven consecutive losing seasons in the books and another looming ahead for Milwaukee, Vina is glad to be part of a brighter forecast.
"I already went through (rebuilding) there," said Vina, who became expendable when he missed most of the '99 season with a knee injury, paving the way for rookie Ron Belliard to steal the job.
"We were waiting, waiting, waiting every year. We never could get the finishing pieces."
In the Cardinals' camp, Vina is looked upon as the finishing piece. After rebuilding the pitching staff with the addition of veteran starters Pat Hentgen, Darryl Kile and Andy Benes as well as closer Dave Veres, St. Louis picked up Vina to fill two needs - a reliable leadoff hitter and solid second baseman.
It didn't take long for Vina to become a favorite of manager Tony La Russa. Seeking to show the Cardinals' baseball bosses that he is completely healthy, Vina has gone full tilt in every drill.
"I like it because you watch him practice and he takes that right into the game," said La Russa. "He plays like he practices. Not all of them do that.
"You just watch him go about his business. He's a pro. If we get him 500 to 600 at-bats, he's going to be a huge plus for us."
A free swinger who became a dependable leadoff hitter under the tutelage of former Brewers skipper Phil Garner, Vina will be counted on to set the table for what should be a potent St. Louis lineup. Shortstop Edgar Renteria bats second, followed by the big boy, Mark McGwire.
Vina boosted his on-base percentage to a career-high .386 during his all-star year in '98, and will be looking to repeat that success with the Cardinals.
"I just need to do the same thing I did in Milwaukee - get on base," he said. "I have an incredible lineup behind me. If I get on and do my thing, I'm going to score a lot of runs.
"I'm just happy to be here. It was a good time in my career to come over to a team like this."
Vina has expended much of that energy in fielding drills as he builds an on-field rapport with Renteria, a slick fielder with good range. Vina's forte is turning the double play in lightning-quick fashion, a sleight of hand that has amazed his new teammates.
"He turns the double play as well or better than anybody in this league. I'm thrilled to have him," said right-hander Kent Bottenfield, a sinkerball pitcher who relies on groundouts.
After finding a comfort zone in Milwaukee, Vina wasn't sure what to expect when he first walked into the St. Louis clubhouse.
To his amazement, Big Mac himself was one of the first to walk over and greet him.
"He's such a class act," said Vina. "He said, 'Fernando, it's good to have you over here because I was tired of diving for those bullets you hit at me. I'm glad to have you on my side.'
"That was good to hear. Everybody's been awesome. Even the Hall of Famers like (instructors) Red Schoendienst and Lou Brock said, 'We're glad to have you.' Things like that make you feel good."
As for the sad situation he left behind in Milwaukee, Vina said he felt for both the fans and remaining veterans. With the opener of Miller Park delayed a year, money still tight and a complete baseball overhaul in the works, Vina realizes it could be a long road back for the Brewers.
"I'm sad for the fans in Milwaukee because they're so supportive," said Vina. "Now, they've got some more years before they become contenders.
"Hopefully, with the new stadium coming up, they'll have more things to look forward to and can turn it around. I wish them nothing but the best."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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