Hoiles

The last man to hit a home run with a runner on base against Pedro Martinez would like nothing more than to step into a batter's box again. Instead, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles sits home in Ohio, out of baseball, in likely need of hip-replacement surgery. It's difficult for him to walk, difficult for him to sleep, difficult for him to play with his two sons. "To have to [retire] because of an injury -- and still to this day not be able to do much of anything -- it's just tough," Hoiles said Wednesday.

Former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles has notified the club that he will at least postpone accepting an offer to serve as a roving minor-league catching instructor. Hoiles, in town this weekend to attend a birthday party for bullpen catcher Sammy Snider, said he experienced second thoughts after immediately accepting the position following his April 2 release."Once I had some time to think about it, I decided I'd like to spend some time away from baseball," he said. "I've been away from my family a lot during my playing career.

A tractor seat remains bolted to the wall above Chris Hoiles' old locker, a symbol of the toughness that earned him the nickname "Tractor man." Some boxes and clothes belonging to him also were there until the Orioles' former catcher arrived yesterday to clear them away.Hoiles made his first appearance at Camden Yards since being released April 2 while the club was in Atlanta. The Orioles' starting catcher for eight seasons, Hoiles will remain in Baltimore through the summer while his new home is being built in Ohio.

A broken-down body for a slimmed-down body. That's how you evaluate Chris Hoiles for Jeff Conine, and never mind the other particulars. Chris Fussell, a young pitcher with little chance of ever joining the Orioles' rotation, was merely the bait for Conine.The release of Hoiles is a sad event for anyone who knew "Tractor," a humble, hard-working throwback who spent a decade in the organization after arriving in the Fred Lynn trade. Still, it had to be done. Hoiles, physically unable to catch and a liability at first base, had turned into the right-handed equivalent of Harold Baines.

ATLANTA -- Manager Ray Miller described it as the most difficult thing he has ever had to do in the game. Jesse Orosco stopped by for an embrace. Before a game that otherwise held no meaning, the Orioles turned away a piece of their heart.Nearing the end of spring training, the club made a gut-wrenching decision yesterday when it released longtime starting catcher and clubhouse pillar Chris Hoiles, then replaced his right-handed bat by trading pitching prospect Chris Fussell to the Kansas City Royals for veteran outfielder/first baseman Jeff Conine.

Highlights and lowlights from the Orioles' 2-0 victory over the Florida Marlins in Viera, Fla.UP -- Cal Ripken: The last day in Florida brings his first home run.UP -- Juan Guzman: If he's this good when the games count, clear space for the Cy Young.UP -- B. J. Surhoff: Reaches base three times and steals second.UP -- Doug Johns: Two scoreless innings in relief.EVEN -- Jesse Garcia: Singles in his first at-bat, but gets picked off. Hey, he did play 13 innings the night before.UP -- Rich Amaral: Has proved that he's healthy enough to start the season.

VIERA, Fla. -- The Florida portion of the Orioles' spring training tour ended yesterday, with the next stop being Atlanta for tonight's exhibition game against the Braves. The club then goes to Birmingham, Ala., to play the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow before the gates swing open at Camden Yards.It became more obvious yesterday which players will be on the other side.Outfielder Mike Murphy, infielder Esteban Beltre, catcher Tommy Davis and pitcher David Evans were reassigned to the minor-league camp in Sarasota.

JUPITER, Fla. -- Rich Amaral said yesterday that he still hasn't been cleared to take batting practice because of a sore back. He continues to receive treatments, staying behind again at the Fort Lauderdale complex during the Orioles' 7-3 victory over the Montreal Expos at Roger Dean Stadium.Amaral, who hasn't played since March 16, had hoped to take BP on Monday after hitting off a tee the previous day. But he's still experiencing some discomfort in his back, a condition that flared up while taking ground balls before Wednesday's game.