The rat bastards! I always liked tough Tony. He always reminded me of a latino Babe Ruth, the way he'd stand at the plate and run the bases! Hope he catches on somewhere. Catching dilemma results in Eusebio's release http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_story.jsp?article_id=col_20020323_eusebio_news&team_id=mlb MESA, Ariz. -- The Colorado Rockies jettisoned catcher Tony Eusebio Saturday. The other veteran backstop in camp, Carlos Hernandez, said the club will have to do the same with him if it doesn't put him on the Opening Day roster. So the Rockies are potentially out around $136,000 -- to terminate Eusebio's $550,000, one-year contract if he clears waivers -- but not without intrigue. Both Gary Bennett, whose work defensively has given him an argument for the No. 1 job, and Ben Petrick have out-hit Hernandez and are under Major League contracts. Although each can be sent to the Minors without being exposed to other teams, an easy solution would be for Hernandez, 34, who missed last season to recover from back surgery, to agree to report to the Minors. But Saturday, Hernandez had the look and sound of a man who was having none of that. After ushering right-handed pitcher Shawn Chacon to a 5-3 lead against the Chicago Cubs through five innings of a game that turned into a 14-7 loss, Hernandez pulled on a cream, long-sleeved sweater emblazoned with the logo from the 1998 World Series -- one he picked up while catching for San Diego against the Yankees. Under a contract that would pay $650,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster, Hernandez has a right to ask for his release. Hernandez knows he can't get gear like that playing for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Hernandez also went 1-for-3 Saturday and is batting .250 with no home runs and one RBI this spring, which doesn't compare to Bennett (.333, no homers, five RBIs) or Petrick (.355-0-7, with four doubles and five triples). Hernandez said he hopes he has done enough for someone to want him if the Rockies don't. "I feel pretty good," Hernandez said. "My game is defense and calling games, and I think I've done it. That's my game. People know about it. " "I know I can hit, too, but this is the thing that I've learned from the beginning and it's been working for me. I don't make decisions. Hopefully, they like the job I've done." If the decision is based on performance in camp, as has been stated, then Bennett's play has raised the fewest questions -- something club officials have said repeatedly in recent days. That would leave the key decision between Petrick and Hernandez. Offensive ability for a team that needs all the runs it can get at Coors Field and and a younger and less-banged-up body would give the edge to Petrick. Coors Field also presents an argument for Hernandez, because the pitching staff needs all the help it can get in calling the game and handling defensive situations. Manager Buddy Bell said he hopes to make all the decisions by Monday. Eusebio's departure leaves one decision fewer. Eusebio, 34, batted .320, but the team has questioned his durability for the long games at Coors Field ever since he reported to camp overweight -- about 12 pounds heavier than the team wanted. However, Bell focused on the performances of the competition. "It just didn't work out," Bell said of Eusebio. "Whatever I say is going to look like I'm hammering Tony and that's just not the case. I just think the other guys played pretty well."
Poor Tough Tony. I bet that will piss off Mike Hampton, who really liked being caught by the great Subie. Hopefully Tony can get on with anther team somewhere.
