But
Jocketty usually summarized his comments by pointing out that
he didn't envision dramatic drop-offs in production for any of
the returning veteran Redbirds, in part because of their dedication
to their own physical conditioning.
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During the recent off-season, Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty was asked more than once about what appeared to be a relatively quiet off-season for the defending NL Central champions.
Jocketty's responses were generally along the lines that, as far as the outlook for his team in '97 was concerned...that stability was good, especially in light of the number of personnel changes that were made prior to the '96 season.
Jocketty also responded that, yes, he knew that certain relievers and position players were getting older...and that yes, he was concerned because when an older player loses it, he generally loses it all at once...
But
Jocketty usually summarized his comments by pointing out that
he didn't envision dramatic drop-offs in production for any of
the returning veteran Redbirds, in part because of their dedication
to their own physical conditioning.
Gary Gaetti, a 15 year veteran, is one of those players that Jocketty was referring to.
But Gaetti, who posted exceptional numbers in 1996 (.274 BA; 27 doubles; 27 HRs, and 80 RBIs), has done his part to contribute to the Cardinals' miserable start in 1997.
And no one is more aware of this fact than Gaetti.
"Yes, I've been on teams that started slow and have come
back," said Gaetti after a recent game at Houston.
"What's important for us, as a team and as individuals, is to concentrate on doing each skill as it comes along. We need to continue to pitch and throw strikes...we have to concentrate on each swing...each day...and each inning.
"It's not a big thing that turns things around...it's usually a little thing...advancing the runner or something like that."
Gary Gaetti the veteran then addressed the attention that the Cards' slow start had generated.
"It wouldn't be so spectacular if it happened in July...I mean, I know it's a real serious situation...but it's so magnified [a losing streak] at the beginning of the season."
In a calm voice, Gaetti then referred to his own early-season performance:
"My timing is not real good at the plate. I'm trying to work through it. I know it sounds funny, but it's a matter of finding the right groove...feeling confident with my stance. For me, it's important not to be jumping at the ball.
"I'm
getting pitches to hit and, right now, I'm not able to put the
bat-head to the ball. Hitting is all timing, and a lot of things
can throw off your timing. I've got to get back to where I was,
timing-wise, at the end of spring training."
Two more notes about Gary Gaetti.
StLSO readers recall that Gaetti is very particular about the infield area around the third base bag.
In spite of all of the problems with last year's new grass field at Busch Stadium, Gaetti found the surface to his liking.
"It's the dirt that's important around third base...and we've got good dirt here," Gaetti said last year.
But the Astroturf at the Astrodome, in April of 1997, is not to Gaetti's liking.
"Look close at that turf," he told this reporter after the Saturday game (4.5.97) in which his eighth-inning boot led to Houston's sixth run in a 6-2 Cards loss.
"It's not smooth in places, especially to the left of
the sliding pit. It was shaky taking ground balls yesterday...if
they laid carpet in your house that was that bad you'd ask them
to replace it. It's even a matter of trying to position yourself
before the ball is hit...they're going to have to do something
about it before the year is over."
Interestingly, Houston third basemen Tim Bogar and Bill Spiers both committed errors during the series on balls hit to the left of the third base sliding pit...and the Astros other third basemen, Sean Berry, spent several mnutes prior to the series finale on Sunday trying to smooth out the carpeting to the left of the bag.
Those third basemen stick together, don't they?
Finally, Tony La Russa chipped in with a comment that says a lot about Gary Gaetti the team player.
In the fourth inning of the 4.5.97 game vs. the Astros, Cards 2B David Bell botched a couple of double-play pivots.
Bell, whose best position is 3B, was subbing for the injured Delino DeShields and seeing his first action at the position since the start of the season.
Unfortunately for Bell and the Cardinals, he looked very much out-of-place on both plays, including one in which his relay to first base pulled Dmitri Young off of the bag.
After the game, La Russa was asked about Bell's apparent misplays at second base.
"As soon as the inning was over, Gaetti came up to me in the dugout and told me that [Bell's poor throw to first base] was his fault," La Russa said. "He said he had trouble getting the ball out of his glove and that screwed up the timing on the throw to Bell."
In more ways than one, David Bell, a natural third basemen, could do a lot worse than to emulate Gary Gaetti.
Except, of course, for Gaetti's slow start this year.
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