As I prepared for another season, I got word that the Tokyo Giants were interested in signing me. Now, when someone says “interested,” that can mean a lot of things. But when they told me the number they were offering? My eyes got as big as bowling balls. Suddenly, I wasn’t just preparing for spring training, I was negotiating internationally.  The Baltimore Orioles had me under contract. The Japanese offered a buyout that was even big ger than the salary number they were floating for me. The...

You’ll hear a lot of comments after your favorite player has gone through spring training. Things like, “My God! You had such a good spring training. How come you didn’t make the team?” What a lot of people don’t know is that it often comes down to how a player fits into the personality of the team as a whole.  I made the opening day roster for the Baltimore Orioles in 1995. Going into spring training beforehand, I hadn’t even wished for the opening day roster. I hoped and prayed to make the...

It was 1993 when a local reporter called me to talk about my upcoming season. Every year, I got the same routine question, “Have the Phillies asked you to sign with them?” Each time, I answered, “They haven’t called. I don’t think they have any interest in me.” Lee Thomas, the GM, called me the next day. He asked what I meant about not having interest. I reassured him that it was okay, and that I was fine with it. Which was true! I’d been one of the highest paid players in the Minor League,...