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Vina Can't Wait For Spring Break To End
May 10, 1997
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Fernando Vina loves the city of Sacramento.
He was born there. He grew up there, graduating from Valley High and playing a little ball at City College before moving on to Arizona State and beyond.
Much of Vina's family still lives in Sacramento. Even though he could live anywhere he wants during the off-season, he maintains a home in a suburb called Elk Grove.
So, what does he think of spring time in his home town?
"I've never been here this time of year," he said. "It sucks."
That's not a slam on Sacramento, mind you. It's just Vina's way of telling us that he'd rather be playing ball for the Milwaukee Brewers than sitting at home with a broken left ankle.
"There were a few days when I got home when I was down and out," Vina said in a phone interview last week. "Things like that happen, it's depressing. You work so hard, everything is going so good. One day, you hit a grand slam you're at the top of the spectrum. The next day, you're down in the dirt. That kind of sucked.
"But, I'm over it now. I've got to stay positive."
Progress reports on Vina's ankle, which he broke stealing second during the first inning April 19 in Cleveland, have been overwhelmingly positive.
"Everything is looking good," he said. "I went back Monday for an X-ray, and they re-examined me because it had been about 16 days.
"The doctor was really happy because the week before he could actually move the bones and feel the crack in between them. This time, he said it was real stable. That means the bone is fusing together already. He said we're way ahead of schedule.
"Everything is looking good."
Vina is wearing a walking cast, but that hasn't prevented him from starting to work out.
"I'm lifting weights -- even with the bad leg," he said. "I'm riding the bike every day for 35 minutes.
"The cast I have is weight-bearing, so the doctor wants me to put as much weight as I can on it so I don't lose that much. The cast is supposed to come off May 20. When I get out of that, I'll start walking on the treadmill. I'm going hard on my cardio and everything else. When I get it off, I shouldn't be that far behind."
Barring a setback, Vina hopes to begin a rehab assignment with a Brewers' farm team in mid-to-late June. He could then return to the big-league club around the all-star break.
The Brewers are anxious to have Vina back. Though Jeromy Burnitz is settling into the leadoff spot, Milwaukee's defense hasn't been the same since Vina went down. His presence in the clubhouse, where he shakes more hands than a presidential candidate, is missed.
"You've got to be positive," Vina said. "I try to stay upbeat and keep everybody going."
In addition to his three-hour morning workout, which he completes under the supervision of the Sacramento Kings trainers, Vina passes the days by spending time with his 6-year-old son, Jordan.
"He's with me every night," Vina said. "I've been able to go to all his T-ball games and that's been awesome, because I've never watched him play. He's so happy.
"It's a trip. Before he goes up to bat or even on defense, he always looks to make sure I'm watching. He's impressed me because he's good. He's head and shoulders above the other kids.
"At least if I have my down time, I can spend it with my son."
Vina has talked to a few teammates, but most of his information about the Brewers comes from newspaper accounts and "SportsCenter" highlights. The other day, he caught a few innings on the radio as the Brewers played against Oakland.
"They seem like they're hanging in there pretty good," Vina said, adding that he hopes to visit the club next week during a two-game set at the Oakland Coliseum.
"It'll be good to see everybody again. I can't wait to get back."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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