ormer Red Sox slugger Jose Canseco, tops in the American League with 31 homers, won't be taking aim in tonight's Home Run Derby at Fenway Park.
Jose Canseco
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The 35-year-old Canseco, elected by the fans as the AL's starting designated hitter, yesterday withdrew from All-Star festivities because of a bad back. After an MRI Saturday, Canseco had surgery yesterday in Miami to repair a herniated disc and could be sidelined up to six weeks. Canseco pulled out of the Devil Rays' lineup Saturday, after his back stiffened in a game against the Marlins the night before.
Canseco was replaced by Harold Baines, the Orioles' 40-year-old DH. Baines is batting .345 with 19 homers and 63 RBIs this season.
Another Oriole, outfielder B.J Surhoff, is expected to fill Canseco's spot in the Derby, joining a tentative AL lineup that includes the Mariners' Ken Griffey, the Rangers' Rafael Palmeiro, Shawn Green of the Blue Jays, and Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.
The Astros' Boston-born Jeff Bagwell, once a Red Sox prospect, likely will be part of a formidable NL quintet that includes the Cardinals' Mark McGwire, the Cubs' Sammy Sosa, Jeromy Burnitz of the Brewers, and the Rockies' Larry Walker.
Nomar the DH?
With Canseco out of the All-Star Game, that may leave AL manager Joe Torre the option of using Garciaparra as his DH and inserting Derek Jeter of the Yankees in the starting lineup at shortstop, if that's allowed. Red Sox manager Jimy Williams, asked about that possibilty yesterday, said he had not spoken with Torre.
''Let's see what Joe Torre wants to do,'' Williams said. ''That's the most important thing. He's the manager.''
Williams said Garciaparra, who missed the last nine games after aggravating a strained left groin, should be in the lineup when the Red Sox resume play Thursday at home against the Phillies.
''Hopefully he'll be there,'' Williams said. ''I figure the extra days rest will help him.''
Jauss takes the hill
Who will pitch to Garciaparra in the Derby? The shortstop has requested Red Sox first base coach Dave Jauss, who suddenly finds himself in prime time after thinking his only role would be pitching batting practice to the AL All-Stars.
Jauss could wind up doing double duty since another hitter, Palmeiro, took batting practice off Jauss when they were with the Orioles.
Sox hitting coach Jim Rice and Lowell's Bill Moloney, one of the Sox' regular batting practice pitchers, are scheduled to throw for the AL and could be summoned for Derby duty.
Schilling to get call
National League manager Bruce Bochy said yesterday he is leaning toward picking Phillies righthander Curt Schilling over the Diamondbacks' Randy Johnson in tomorrow night's All-Star Game.
''It would be his first [All-Star Game] start, and he started his career with the Boston organization,'' Bochy said. ''It's a tough call.''
Schilling has 13 wins, one fewer than NL leader Kent Bottenfield of the Cardinals.
''I've got a pretty good idea,'' Schilling said. ''The manager is going to announce it tomorrow, and we'll all have fun talking about it tomorrow.''
In another All-Star development, Bochy was told by the NL office that McGwire must start at first base since he was voted in by the fans. Bochy wanted to use McGwire as his DH, but instead will use Bagwell.
A Fenway first
Believe it or not, prior to Fenway Park opening its doors in 1912, the left-field wall already was the object of some angst - but for batters rather than pitchers. The wall's inordinate height caused speculation that it might be impossible to hit a ball over it.
But April 26, six days after the ballyard's opening game, fears began to disappear when Red Sox first baseman Hugh Bradley hit the first Fenway homer. Bradley connected with two outs in the seventh, sending a Lefty Russell offering over the wall in left-center for a three-run homer, pacing the Sox to a 7-6 win over Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics.
