TAMPA, Fla. – Chuck Knoblauch, still unable to solve his
throwing problems, will be moved from second base to left field by
the New York Yankees as a late spring training experiment.
|  | | Chuck Knoblauch ran out of time trying to correct his throwing problems at second base. His next challenge: playing left field. |
The former Gold Glove infielder talked the matter over Monday
with New York manager Joe Torre, who said he didn't want Knoblauch
to think left field was "the penalty box."
"I would say, and he will agree, I've done every possible thing
I can do," Knoblauch said Monday in a corridor outside the
Yankees' clubhouse at Legends Field. "The word 'quit' is not in my
vocabulary.
"It's just not happening now. I've done every possible thing.
My teammates know that. Joe Torre knows that. The coaches know
that. And more important, I know that."
Knoblauch will not start in left field Tuesday in the Yankees' spring game against the Astros. A Yankees spokesman would not rule out the possibility that Knoblauch would play the outfield today, although it is unlikely.
Torre told WFAN Radio earlier Tuesday that Knoblauch worked on his outfield skills with coach Lee Lee Mazzilli and will continue to do so until Knoblauch is ready to play left field in a game.
Mazzilli said Knoblauch is further along in his ability to play the outfield than was expected.
Knoblauch developed throwing problems in 1999, making 26 errors
during the regular season. By June 28 last year, he had made 15
more, most on throws. He played second base just 30 times after
that, sidelined by arm pain and becoming a designated hitter much
of the time when he returned.
Knoblauch spoke with a psychologist during the offseason and
reported to spring training more than a month early, on Jan. 15,
trying to rediscover his arm's accuracy.
But he made six errors in 14 spring training games, five on
throws.
"He needs to be comfortable for me to be comfortable, and we're
not there yet," Torre said. "Nobody has worked harder than he
has. There is nothing more he can do at second base that is going
to make him a better second baseman. Maybe getting away from second
base will solve second base."
The move, which calls for Alfonso Soriano to take over at
second, won't take place immediately. Monday night's game against
Detroit was washed out and more rain was forecast for Tuesday, when
the Yankees play a Houston split squad.
If Knoblauch wants to get in a day of fielding practice and
advice from outfield coach Lee Mazzilli, he might not play left on
Wednesday.
But the move will be made sooner than later.
"It's a lot less stressful here in March than if you do it in
June," Torre said.
At least three times, Torre mentioned that he didn't want to
hurt Knoblauch's psyche. Knoblauch, who won a Gold Glove at second
in 1997 with Minnesota, seemed in a good frame of mind.
At first, he didn't want to talk about the switch. But after
some prodding, he opened up and even joked about it, saying his new
outfield glove was en route by overnight mail.
As he left the ballpark, he carried media guides, which he said
were for his mother.
"Have to scratch off the 2B," he said. "It's 2B not to be."
Knoblauch played center field for Texas A&M as a freshman in
1987 but has played the outfield just once in the major leagues, for
Minnesota in September 1993.
No one has been able to come up with an explanation for
Knoblauch's malady. He criticized television commentators who tried
to judge his problem, saying only Steve Sax, who also developed
throwing problems at second, could know what he felt.
"It's not baseball. Who knows what it is?" he said. "It might
not have anything to do with me as a baseball player."
He compared it to trying to figure out why his father has
Alzheimer's disease.
"My dad is sick. My dad is in a bed in Houston not knowing
what's going on," he said.
Through the tough times, his teammates have noticed the stress.
"I'll guarantee his offensive numbers are going to go up,"
said Tino Martinez, whose defense at first base has saved Knoblauch
from even more errors.
"He's not going to give up," Bernie Williams said. "I think
he's going to be able to make the adjustment. He's a good
athlete."
In winning the last three World Series, the Yankees' offense has
functioned best with Knoblauch leading off and Derek Jeter hitting
second.
"He's been an important part of the club, and that's not going
to change," Williams said.
Jeter, the Yankees' shortstop, said Knoblauch was more
adjustable than he is.
"I can't judge fly balls," Jeter said. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories | |
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 How long will it be before Chuck Knoblauch is moved to the outfield? Peter Gammons answers.
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