UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, February 14. 1996
7B
Sandberg at spring training is a welcome sight for Cubs
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Ryne Sandberg doesn't see problems in the bullpen. A potential power shortage? Don't bother him with such a trivial matter.
It's time for spring training and all the positive thoughts that accompany baseball's annual rite of renewal.
And for Sandberg, the past and present second baseman for the Chicago Cubs, there never has been a renewal quite like this.
"Offensively, defensively and with the young pitchers we have coming back, I think all the pieces are in place," said Sandberg, who is set to join Chicago pitcher and catchers in Mesa, Ariz, today.
"I like what I've seen this winter."
The Cubs were scheduled to officially open their camp to pitchers and catchers tomorrow, along with Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and San Francisco.
On Friday, pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for Colorado and Pittsburgh, with Atlanta.
In the American League, Thursday was the first official day of pitchers and catchers for Seattle, while Baltimore and Texas were one day later.
Cincinnati and Florida a day later,
San Diego batterymates report Sunday,
with Montreal and coming in last on Feb. 22.
On Saturday, Cleveland pitchers and catchers were set to report, followed on Sunday by by California, Detroit, Minnesota and Oakland.
On Monday, it was Boston, Kansas City and Milwaukee.
Most teams have asked their full squads to report several days later, with the final full reporting date of Feb. 24, belonging to the Montreal Expos.
The main thing Cubs management did in the offseason was sit back and watch Sandberg — a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner — sign on the dotted line.
"I'm not going to make any predictions," general manager Ed Lynch said. "But I do think the return of Ryne Sandberg makes us a better team."
The 36-year-old Sandberg, who retired two months into the 1994
season because he was unhappy with the direction of both the team and his personal life, un-retired Oct. 31.
Recently remarried and still possessing the physique of a professional athlete, Sandberg has been working out for more than two months with trainer John Fierro and former Cubs infielder Chris Speier at the team's spring training complex.
He said he had been inspired by an even more celebrated Chicago sports comeback — that of Michael Jordan, who has led the Bulls to pro basketball's best record.
"Obviously, this hasn't been a normal offseason for me," Sandberg said. "I want to get off to a fast start, in spring training and in the season."
"He wished me luck and told me to just have fun and enjoy the game. He's really shown his enjoyment by the way he's playing," Sandberg said. "Like Michael, it was good for me to sit out a while and get a different perspective. Now I can go back, be a part of it and appreciate it more."
Cardinals close deal for Eckersley
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals filled the last hole on their roster yesterday, acquiring closer Dennis Eckersley from the Oakland Athletics in a long-discussed deal.
"Just as an outsider looking in, I said this has got to be the team to beat," Eckersley said. "It's exciting, it's real exciting."
Since finishing 62-81, the second-worst record in the National League, the Cardinals have changed ownership and added pitchers Andy Benes and Todd Stottlemyre, left fielder Ron Gant, third baseman Gary Gaetti, shortstop Royce Clayton, reliever Gregg Olson and reserve outfielder Willie McGee.
Now, Eckersley. As a player with five years on the same team and 10 years in the major leagues, Eckersley could have vetoed any deal. He said the only place he wanted to go was St. Louis.
The Associated Press
Eckersley requested a trade from the Athletics, who are also under new ownership but rebuilding. The deal
was in the works for about three months. One of the sticking points in ongoing negotiations was that the Cardinals wanted the Athletics to pay part of Eckersley's $2.25 million salary.
"I wish it hadn't come to this, but that's the nature of the business," Eckersley said. "Now that it's over it's no big deal, but I was kind of grinding for a while."
The Athletics get minor-league reliever Steve Montgomery, who led the Double-A Texas League with 36 saves last year for Arkansas. Eckersley gets another chance at postseason glory.
He said it will be comforting to again be answering to manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan.
"If you've never worked for somebody, you've got something to prove," Eckersley said. "For me at my age, I don't need to show somebody this 95 mph burner, because I don't have one."
Eckersley, 41, replaces Tom Henke, who said last month that he would not return for the beginning of the season and likely will retire. Because Henke refused an arbitration offer from St. Louis, he could not play for the Cardinals until May 1.
Eckersley is fourth on the career saves list with 323, including 29 last year to lead the Athletics for the ninth consecutive season.
From 1988-93, Eckersley had four 40-plus save seasons, and he had a career high 51 saves in 1992.
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