Al Leiter

HittingRyan Klesko, Braves: grand slam.PitchingDenny Neagle, Braves: 9 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits.Al Leiter, Mets: 9 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits.Pub Date: 6/17/98

Putting out this week's sports media notes while wondering whether the president-elect has a spot in his administration called "Guy Who Sits on the Couch Watching TV While Eating Cheez-Its": * If you listen to much sports talk - not recommended unless you have ample caffeine - you probably have heard much of the same from callers offering only slight variation on the theme: The national media disrespect/ignore/downgrade the Ravens. I was glad to hear Bruce Cunningham tell a caller to his show on 105.7 The Fan this week that fans from around the country say much the same thing about their teams, too. However, along those lines, some people no doubt will see a slight by CBS' assignment of Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf to Sunday's Ravens-New York Giants game, which, by the way, is going out to 48 percent of the country.

HittingBernard Gilkey, Mets: 3 RBIs, 5 runs scored.Larry Walker, Rockies: 6-for-7, HR, 3 stolen bases.PitchingAl Leiter, Mets: 7 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits.Jeremi Gonzalez, Cubs: 8 innings, 1 run, 4 hits.Kent Mercker, Cardinals: 7 innings, 0 runs, 6 hits.Pub Date: 4/20/98

NL East Atlanta Braves Training site: Cracker Jack Stadium, Kissimmee, Fla. Last year: 96-66, 1st place, lost in 1st round of playoffs Manager: Bobby Cox (20th season) Key additions: RHP Tim Hudson, OF Brian Jordan (Milford Mill), RHP Dan Kolb, OF Raul Mondesi, LHP Gabe White Key losses: RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Juan Cruz, OF J.D. Drew, OF Eli Marrero, RHP Russ Ortiz, OF Charles Thomas, RHP Jaret Wright Spring questions: Can Mondesi re-establish himself after a couple of lost years? ... How will John Smoltz's arm respond to a move back to the rotation after four years as a closer?

Quote: "I've just got to go introduce myself to the bike." - Mets pitcher Rick Reed, who will be out for two to three weeks with a broken wrist It's a fact: The Pirates' Brian Giles has reached base in 76 of 78 games. Who's hot: The Expos' Jose Vidro has a 13-game hitting streak. Who's not: The Expos drew 8,047 last night. On deck: Today, when the Braves visit the Mets, Greg Maddux (9-2) and Al Leiter (9-1) go for their 10th wins.

Quote: "All these games are going to be like playoff games. For the remainder of the season, if we stay in contention or stay close, it's going to be like that." -- Brian McRae, after the Mets beat the NL West-leading Padres.It's a fact: The average age of the Phillies' every-day lineup is 26.2 years, the youngest in the majors among teams with winning records.Who's hot: The Padres have homered in 13 straight games, tying club record set earlier this season.Who's not: The Phillies' Tyler Green has allowed 20 homers in his past 14 games.

Who's hot Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners has 43 hits this month and is on a 20-game hitting streak. Who's not Jose Acevedo of the Reds, after St. Louis scored seven runs off him in 4 1/3 innings, is 0-6 against the Cardinals with a 9.85 ERA. Line of the day Scott Rolen, Cardinals 3B AB R H RBI HR 6 3 4 3 2 On deck Al Leiter, trying to regain the majors' ERA lead, pitches for the Mets against the Expos in Montreal. He said it "I really didn't make any good pitches. It's something you really can't explain."

Who's hot Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners has 43 hits this month and is on a 20-game hitting streak. Who's not Jose Acevedo of the Reds, after St. Louis scored seven runs off him in 4 1/3 innings, is 0-6 against the Cardinals with a 9.85 ERA. Line of the day Scott Rolen, Cardinals 3B AB R H RBI HR 6 3 4 3 2 On deck Al Leiter, trying to regain the majors' ERA lead, pitches for the Mets against the Expos in Montreal. He said it "I really didn't make any good pitches. It's something you really can't explain."

Trading places Here's a thumbnail look at what contending teams might be looking for in the days leading up to the July 31 deadline for making trades without passing players through waivers: AL East New York Yankees: Run-producing first baseman or designated hitter. Would pursue Jason Giambi heavily if available. Also believed to be interested in Tampa Bay homebody Fred McGriff. Boston Red Sox: Big-name starting pitcher. Al Leiter would be a nice fit. Reliever Ugueth Urbina may be in the mix. AL Central Cleveland Indians: Hungry for go-to starting pitcher.

Quote: "We earned it. It's a better feeling when you win. Al was absolutely outstanding. He was fabulous."- Mets manager Bobby Valentine after 6-3 win over Atlanta in which Al Leiter allowed just four hits in 6 2/3 innings. It's a fact: The Mets have seven players with at least 10 homers each, equaling the club mark. Who's hot: Todd Helton's 56 doubles for Colorado are the most by an NL player since Joe Medwick set the league record with 64 in 1936. Who's not: The Padres have been in the NL West cellar since April 30. On deck: Mark Grace's next RBI will make him the seventh player in Cubs history to drive in 1000.

ATLANTA - The 75th All-Star Game probably will be remembered most for all of the marquee players who were unable to take the field, but New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will remember it a bit more fondly. He'll remember how he was chosen to replace injured Alex Rodriguez in the starting lineup, and how he reeled off three hits against three of the toughest pitchers in the National League - the last of which drove home two crucial runs in a 6-3 American League victory at sold-out Turner Field.