When spring training is approaching and you renew acquaintances with a ballplayer, you usually ask him what he has in mind for an encore.
But this wouldn’t have been an appropriate greeting for pitcher Jason Bere of the White Sox. He certainly doesn’t want a repetition of last year: an 8-15 won-lost record and 7.19 earned-run average.
“I’m not dwelling on last year,” Bere said at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where he was at the annual winter SoxFest. “I’ve been blowing it off. I had two really good years before that. I didn’t dwell on those.”
Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, Bere’s sidekick, also is coming off a poor season. Alvarez was 8-11 with a 4.32 ERA. If they can return to their previous form, the White Sox should be among the contenders in the American League Central and not finish 32 games out as they did last year. If not, another dismal season can be expected.
White Sox General Manager Ron Schueler is optimistic.
“A lot of pitchers have bad years,” Schueler said. “I even had a bad year or two myself.”
But there is a difference. Schueler was a middling pitcher–he went 40-48 lifetime and only once won in double figures, 11 games. Bere and Alvarez already have shown they have the potential to become 20-game winners.
“They must be pretty good,” Schueler said. “A lot of clubs have been trying to get them in trades. This has been going on continuously for the last three years. My answer is always no.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Bere said. “I like Chicago, everything about it.”
He also likes the new Comiskey Park and his teammates. Bere is from Wilmington, Mass., 15 miles out of Boston.
“(Chicago’s) like Boston,” Bere observed. “Only a lot bigger.”
Bere is a big fellow, 6 feet 3 inches and 216 pounds. He was only 6-1, 175 when the White Sox plucked him out of the 1990 summer draft of amateur free agents. Not much was expected of the 36th-round choice.
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But going into the 1995 season, Bere had the best winning percentage of any American League pitcher under 25. He had a dazzling two-season 24-7 record, a .774 success ratio. Alvarez, 35-22, was sixth on the list.
If it hadn’t been for them, the Sox would not have won the 1993 AL West. Seldom have two young pitchers contributed more to the winning of a championship. They each won their last seven decisions, going 14-0 with a combined 1.70 earned-run average.
But in baseball, as in life, it’s what have you done for me lately?
Bere has heard the charge he and Alvarez have become complacent.
“I don’t listen to that,” Bere said. “But I do have to become more focused. I know that. And I know if you can pitch, you can pitch. Last year I just didn’t pitch well.”
In an effort to turn things around, he and Alvarez began working out two weeks ago at the club’s spring-training camp in Sarasota, Fla.
“We want to be sure we’re in good shape,” Bere said.
He also said he is recovered fully from a bicep injury that disabled him for two weeks last season. It was the first time in his career he had to miss a turn. Because of this injury, he sometimes didn’t have his best fastball, a 92-93 m.p.h. heater. When he’s on, he usually averages one strikeout per inning.
His biggest problem is lack of control–106 walks in 137 2/3 innings–the principal reason he seldom goes the distance. He finished only one of his 27 starts. Alvarez wasn’t much better, with 29 starts and only three complete games.
As Bere hurried away to sign autographs, I was convinced the White Sox are improved for the long season ahead. Their “Big Three” of Alex Fernandez, Bere and Alvarez are capable of 45 victories. Also, they will benefit from an improved defense.
Manager Terry Bevington came up with his No. 4 starter Saturday when the Sox signed free-agent right-hander Kevin Tapani. Bevington has other potential starters in veteran Kirk McCaskill and youngsters Luis Andujar, James Baldwin, Scott Ruffcorn, Mike Bertotti and Robert Ellis.
Harold Baines, returning to be designated hitter, could have one or two good seasons left. But the key new acquisition is left-fielder Tony Phillips, late of the California Angels, whom Schueler signed as a free agent.
With all due respect to Tim Raines, he didn’t cover much ground and he doesn’t have a strong arm. Pennants aren’t won by a strong defensive left-fielder. Still, Phillips performs with a rare vigor and is a genuine force. He is an excellent all-around player and likely to make a big difference.
“All the players are looking forward to a good season,” Bere insisted.
So am I.