Zeile

NEW YORK -- So what shall we call the classic, outhouse-to-penthouse saga of Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia?"Escape from Philadelphia?""Rescue -- I-95?""Really, Really, Really Happy Days?"Whatever. All these two men know is this: They could have been in Philadelphia Wednesday night, playing a baseball game that meant absolutely zilcho, in front of several dozen rabid spectators who apparently weren't aware that Wednesday night was the season premiere of "The Nanny."Instead, thanks to the Aug. 29 trade that sent them from the Phillies to the surging Orioles, Zeile and Incaviglia found themselves in the packed Yankee Stadium looney bin, playing a huge September baseball game in front of 40,000 crazed people to whom baseball still matters.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Hargrove said yesterday that he still hasn't spoken with Albert Belle since being named Orioles manager, and isn't sure when that conversation will take place. But at some point before Opening Day, he'll address Belle's policy of not taking batting practice with the rest of the club.Belle was one of the topics Hargrove addressed while speaking to reporters as the winter meetings progressed through a third day. Though they had an uneasy relationship in Cleveland, Hargrove said: "I like Albert.

TORONTO -- In about a week's time, third baseman Todd Zeile has gone from the hottest Oriole to the coldest.Zeile extended his slump to 0-for-21 yesterday by going hitless in four at-bats. He has just one hit in his past 30 at-bats.Zeile grounded out, popped out and flied out twice last night, including a fly to center that left Brady Anderson stranded at second base with one out in the eighth inning and the Orioles down 3-1."I'm just trying to get my rhythm back," Zeile said. "I hurt my back in New York, either when [David]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As Harold Baines batted in the fourth inning of the Orioles' exhibition opener yesterday, a light rain turned into such a heavy downpour that fans bolted for cover. Baines stood his ground.The Orioles' designated hitter wiped off his bat and ripped the next pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Frank Lankford into the bleachers in right field, more than 400 feet away.By the time Baines circled the bases, the rain had let up and the sun broke through the clouds. It was typical of Florida's weather.

SEATTLE -- Bench coach Andy Etchebarren had the pleasure of writing out the lineup with the two newest Orioles included. Todd Zeile, batting sixth and playing third base, and Pete Incaviglia, hitting eighth and playing left field.As a result, Chris Hoiles was bumped to ninth in the order. "That's pretty good, when you're No. 9 hitter is third on the team with 23 homers," Hoiles said before going 0-for-4 last night.Orioles manager Davey Johnson said: "We don't have anybody who can hit singles.

Having struck out in their pursuit of Pittsburgh left-hander Denny Neagle, the Orioles are focusing on other possible acquisitions -- including Philadelphia third baseman Todd Zeile.The Phillies have had a longstanding desire to trade for Orioles outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds and Zeile would fill the Orioles' need for improved right-handed punch in their lineup. Zeile, who turns 31 on Sept. 9, is hitting .265 with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs. He is a subpar defensive player but is a proven run producer.

SEATTLE -- Unable to land a top-flight starter to address their need for pitching, the Orioles instead bolstered an already healthy offense, acquiring sluggers Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia from the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday for two minor-league players to be named.Zeile likely will play third base, with B. J. Surhoff moving to left field. The deal for Zeile gives the Orioles a starting lineup in which every player likely will finish the year with 20 or more homers. Zeile, who turns 31 in September, has 20 homers and 80 RBIs, impressive numbers considering he was playing for a poor team.

In the flick of a wrist and the quirky bounce of the ball, the Orioles lost their grip on Game 3 of the American League Championship Series last night.In the time it took third baseman Todd Zeile to inadvertently pump fake a ball into the infield dirt and Bernie Williams to race home from third, the Orioles went from in control of the series to in pursuit of the Yankees.Again."Unbelievable," Zeile said after his error sent the Yankees off to a 5-2 victory at Camden Yards and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Todd Zeile said yesterday he was told by Orioles general manager Pat Gillick that the reason the club was leaning against bringing the third baseman back for the 1997 season was so it could move shortstop Cal Ripken to third.Zeile's agent, Seth Levinson, spoke with Gillick on Monday and the general manager said afterward, "At this point, I don't think [Zeile] is coming back. We're leaning in another direction."Gillick could not be reached for comment yesterday. On Monday, he said moving Ripken to third base was "possibly" the other direction he was referring to.Zeile said yesterday from his California home that Gillick made it clear to his agent that the Orioles' decision not to bring him back was so Ripken could be moved from shortstop, where he has played almost entirely during his 15-year career and 2,316 consecutive games played.

The Orioles decided yesterday to bring All-Star center fielder Brady Anderson back for 1997, if not longer, but it appears third baseman Todd Zeile will not return next season.The Orioles exercised their option on Anderson, 32, for $4 million, and general manager Pat Gillick said the club will begin speaking with his agent about extending Anderson's contract in the coming weeks on the heels of the center fielder's breakthrough season in which he became the first Oriole ever to hit 50 home runs.

The Orioles still have interest in bringing back free agent Todd Zeile -- just not at third base, assistant general manager Kevin Malone said yesterday.Zeile, 31, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in August and combined for 99 RBIs between the clubs, said he was told after an initial meeting with the Orioles last week that they did not want to sign him because the club planned to move Cal Ripken from shortstop to third base.Malone said yesterday he told Seth Levinson, Zeile's agent, that Zeile could be an Oriole next year, but in a versatile role.

Todd Zeile said yesterday he was told by Orioles general manager Pat Gillick that the reason the club was leaning against bringing the third baseman back for the 1997 season was so it could move shortstop Cal Ripken to third.Zeile's agent, Seth Levinson, spoke with Gillick on Monday and the general manager said afterward, "At this point, I don't think [Zeile] is coming back. We're leaning in another direction."Gillick could not be reached for comment yesterday. On Monday, he said moving Ripken to third base was "possibly" the other direction he was referring to.Zeile said yesterday from his California home that Gillick made it clear to his agent that the Orioles' decision not to bring him back was so Ripken could be moved from shortstop, where he has played almost entirely during his 15-year career and 2,316 consecutive games played.

The Orioles decided yesterday to bring All-Star center fielder Brady Anderson back for 1997, if not longer, but it appears third baseman Todd Zeile will not return next season.The Orioles exercised their option on Anderson, 32, for $4 million, and general manager Pat Gillick said the club will begin speaking with his agent about extending Anderson's contract in the coming weeks on the heels of the center fielder's breakthrough season in which he became the first Oriole ever to hit 50 home runs.

The Orioles battered Jimmy Key early, then didn't lay a glove on him. They had him on the ropes, then were tied up in knots.The New York Yankees left-hander gave up a leadoff single to Brady Anderson and a two-run homer to Todd Zeile to begin last night's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.Another four-hour marathon seemed to be in the works, complete with the obligatory parade of relievers and commercial breaks.Instead, Key and an eighth-inning Yankees comeback shattered the Orioles' hopes of gaining the upper hand in this series.

In the flick of a wrist and the quirky bounce of the ball, the Orioles lost their grip on Game 3 of the American League Championship Series last night.In the time it took third baseman Todd Zeile to inadvertently pump fake a ball into the infield dirt and Bernie Williams to race home from third, the Orioles went from in control of the series to in pursuit of the Yankees.Again."Unbelievable," Zeile said after his error sent the Yankees off to a 5-2 victory at Camden Yards and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

NEW YORK -- The Orioles' robotic approach to baseball could be maddening in May and June, with their passionless response to losses. The lack of outward emotion frustrated manager Davey Johnson.But that refusal to be unnerved by anything, a tough loss or a blown call by an umpire, is perfect now, in October, when the emotional pendulum can swing every single day.The Orioles returned to their team hotel Wednesday night feeling as if a 12-year-old New Jersey kid may have cost them Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, but they came back yesterday, oblivious to the momentum and the Yankee Stadium crowd and beat the Yankees, 5-3.Roberto Alomar, vilified and hounded by Yankees fans in Game 1, came back and scored the lead run and drove in an insurance run late in the game.

CLEVELAND -- Todd Zeile is in a 3-for-41 slump at the plate, and yesterday he struggled in the field as well.Zeile came up in several important junctures in the game, but after his first-inning single he failed to reach base again. He struck out looking in the second inning with the bases loaded and two outs.Zeile also struck out in the fourth inning and hit into a 6-4-3 double play with runners on first and second and no one out with the score tied in the seventh.Zeile had intentions of bunting in that spot, but could not get a bunt down.

The Orioles battered Jimmy Key early, then didn't lay a glove on him. They had him on the ropes, then were tied up in knots.The New York Yankees left-hander gave up a leadoff single to Brady Anderson and a two-run homer to Todd Zeile to begin last night's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.Another four-hour marathon seemed to be in the works, complete with the obligatory parade of relievers and commercial breaks.Instead, Key and an eighth-inning Yankees comeback shattered the Orioles' hopes of gaining the upper hand in this series.

CLEVELAND -- Todd Zeile is in a 3-for-41 slump at the plate, and yesterday he struggled in the field as well.Zeile came up in several important junctures in the game, but after his first-inning single he failed to reach base again. He struck out looking in the second inning with the bases loaded and two outs.Zeile also struck out in the fourth inning and hit into a 6-4-3 double play with runners on first and second and no one out with the score tied in the seventh.Zeile had intentions of bunting in that spot, but could not get a bunt down.

Arthur Rhodes continues to impress the Orioles with his return to form.Rhodes spent almost all of the second half on the disabled list with inflammation in the top of his pitching shoulder, but retired the only two batters he faced in the regular-season finale and did the same in yesterday's 10-4 American League Division Series win against the Cleveland Indians.A month ago, Rhodes believed his season was over after getting a cortisone shot for the pain, and he was packing to return home when manager Davey Johnson convinced him to stick around.