Abreu adds power -- Bowa expects big year from outfielder

By EDWARD DE LA FUENTE Staff reporter 03/23/2003

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Because of circumstance, Bobby Abreu did not play winter baseball this offseason for the first time in more than 10 years.

As civil unrest began in his native Venezuela, Abreu stayed near his home two hours outside Caracas. He rarely played catch or swung his bat. To keep from going stir-crazy, he worked out more often.

The result? The Phillies right fielder has the same fluid swing and the same effortless style, only with more power, as witnessed earlier this spring when the left-handed-hitting Abreu hit a laser-like home run - to left field.

"I don't know why I feel this way, but I think Bobby's going to have a monster year," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "If everything falls right, he can have a season where he puts up some nasty numbers in every category."

Even without the visual evidence, Bowa can't be blamed for having such a hunch. Abreu has put up nasty numbers in a lot of statistical categories, just not all at the same time.

He has hit at least .308 in four of the past five seasons. In the one year that he didn't, 2001, he hit a career-high 31 home runs. He became the Phillies' first 30-30 player that year, also stealing 36 bases. His doubles total has gone up every year in that five-year span, with his 50 last season leading the National League. He has scored at least 102 runs each of the past four seasons.

This spring, Abreu has four home runs, including that opposite-field shot last Sunday against Minnesota, and has seven hits in his past 14 at-bats.

Bowa marvels at the time last season he overheard Abreu, in the middle of a slump that had dropped his average to around .290, tell teammates he intended to raise it back to .300. Within days, he was back at .300.

"I'm not going to say Bobby's going to hit 70 [homers], but Bobby's going to do what Bobby wants to do," Bowa said. "He does some things that make you shake your head. He's got a great future ahead of him. I don't think he's peaked."

Abreu arrived at the Phillies camp this spring noticeably bulkier, and he admitted he gained seven or eight pounds. What's more, he said he wouldn't have chosen to take the winter off but he might end up being glad he did.

"I feel more rested," Abreu said. "I'm not tired yet. I feel healthy, I feel good."

As for whether his game might change to include more power, Abreu doesn't yet know.

"I just try to do my job," Abreu said. "I just play the game, play it hard, and the home runs are going to come."

A lot will depend on where Abreu bats in the order. With slugging Jim Thome aboard this year, Abreu might find himself hitting fifth many nights, rather than his customary third spot, which would likely lead to more RBI chances. Or, he could stay in the No. 3 slot, ahead of Pat Burrell and Thome, which would give him more opportunities to steal bases and score runs.

"It doesn't matter to me," Abreu said. "If I hit third, I try to do my job there. Whatever spot I'm in, I'm going to hit."

Thome has already found a benefit to batting behind Abreu - the chance to watch Abreu work pitchers before he gets to the plate himself.

"I think Bobby's really going to help me," Thome said. "We're very similar players. It's hard to compare those types of players, but we're very similar.

"He's a guy who legitimately has a chance to hit 50 doubles every year. His approach at the plate is really solid. He's got a sweet swing."

And at 28, one has to wonder if Abreu's best years are still ahead of him. For example, when Barry Bonds was 27, in 1992, he batted .311 with 34 home runs, surpassing the 30-homer mark for only the second time. The next year, he batted .336 with 46 home runs. Everyone knows what has happened to Bonds since then.

That's not to predict that Abreu will someday hold the single-season home-run record. But if Abreu is anything like Bonds, the Phillies, who signed him to a six-year, $64 million contract extension before last year, will have plenty to look forward to.

"I think I've got more experience in the game," Abreu said. "When you get more mature, that's when you put up more numbers. Maybe your numbers become more consistent."

Consistency hasn't been a problem for Abreu. Whether his numbers get larger - that's what the Phillies are hoping for.

Reach Edward de la Fuente at <a href=mailto:ofthefountain@hotmail.com. Abreu adds power Bowa expects big year from outfielder By EDWARD DE LA FUENTE Staff reporter 03/23/2003

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Because of circumstance, Bobby Abreu did not play winter baseball this offseason for the first time in more than 10 years.

As civil unrest began in his native Venezuela, Abreu stayed near his home two hours outside Caracas. He rarely played catch or swung his bat. To keep from going stir-crazy, he worked out more often.

The result? The Phillies right fielder has the same fluid swing and the same effortless style, only with more power, as witnessed earlier this spring when the left-handed-hitting Abreu hit a laser-like home run - to left field.

"I don't know why I feel this way, but I think Bobby's going to have a monster year," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "If everything falls right, he can have a season where he puts up some nasty numbers in every category."

Even without the visual evidence, Bowa can't be blamed for having such a hunch. Abreu has put up nasty numbers in a lot of statistical categories, just not all at the same time.

He has hit at least .308 in four of the past five seasons. In the one year that he didn't, 2001, he hit a career-high 31 home runs. He became the Phillies' first 30-30 player that year, also stealing 36 bases. His doubles total has gone up every year in that five-year span, with his 50 last season leading the National League. He has scored at least 102 runs each of the past four seasons.

This spring, Abreu has four home runs, including that opposite-field shot last Sunday against Minnesota, and has seven hits in his past 14 at-bats.

Bowa marvels at the time last season he overheard Abreu, in the middle of a slump that had dropped his average to around .290, tell teammates he intended to raise it back to .300. Within days, he was back at .300.

"I'm not going to say Bobby's going to hit 70 [homers], but Bobby's going to do what Bobby wants to do," Bowa said. "He does some things that make you shake your head. He's got a great future ahead of him. I don't think he's peaked."

Abreu arrived at the Phillies camp this spring noticeably bulkier, and he admitted he gained seven or eight pounds. What's more, he said he wouldn't have chosen to take the winter off but he might end up being glad he did.

"I feel more rested," Abreu said. "I'm not tired yet. I feel healthy, I feel good."

As for whether his game might change to include more power, Abreu doesn't yet know.

"I just try to do my job," Abreu said. "I just play the game, play it hard, and the home runs are going to come."

A lot will depend on where Abreu bats in the order. With slugging Jim Thome aboard this year, Abreu might find himself hitting fifth many nights, rather than his customary third spot, which would likely lead to more RBI chances. Or, he could stay in the No. 3 slot, ahead of Pat Burrell and Thome, which would give him more opportunities to steal bases and score runs.

"It doesn't matter to me," Abreu said. "If I hit third, I try to do my job there. Whatever spot I'm in, I'm going to hit."

Thome has already found a benefit to batting behind Abreu - the chance to watch Abreu work pitchers before he gets to the plate himself.

"I think Bobby's really going to help me," Thome said. "We're very similar players. It's hard to compare those types of players, but we're very similar.

"He's a guy who legitimately has a chance to hit 50 doubles every year. His approach at the plate is really solid. He's got a sweet swing."

And at 28, one has to wonder if Abreu's best years are still ahead of him. For example, when Barry Bonds was 27, in 1992, he batted .311 with 34 home runs, surpassing the 30-homer mark for only the second time. The next year, he batted .336 with 46 home runs. Everyone knows what has happened to Bonds since then.

That's not to predict that Abreu will someday hold the single-season home-run record. But if Abreu is anything like Bonds, the Phillies, who signed him to a six-year, $64 million contract extension before last year, will have plenty to look forward to.

"I think I've got more experience in the game," Abreu said. "When you get more mature, that's when you put up more numbers. Maybe your numbers become more consistent."

Consistency hasn't been a problem for Abreu. Whether his numbers get larger - that's what the Phillies are hoping for.

Reach Edward de la Fuente at ofthefountain@hotmail.com

Dominicans conflicted over expansive, expensive project Posted on Sun, Mar. 23, 2003
BY KEVIN BAXTER kbaxter@herald.com

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Most weeknights, Ludys Tejada drives to a smog-choked park in the center of Santo Domingo, sets up a target and spends hours honing her archery skills.

Her concentration is intense. It has to be -- if she misses the target, she's likely to pick off one of the many joggers, cyclists or baseball players with whom she shares the crowded park. When she does let her mind wander, Tejada daydreams about Aug. 11, the day the archery competition will open at the Pan American Games here.

''Just going to the line,'' says Tejada, the host country's best chance for a medal, ``will be a thrill.''

Still, like most Dominicans, she's conflicted. Although the country's selection as site of the world's largest international athletic competition after the Olympics is a source of pride, it's not without controversy.

''It's hard for a small country,'' Tejada says. ``It's going to be very difficult.''

Adds a taxi driver with a dismissive wave of his hand: ``It's ridiculous. This is a poor country. We need the money for more important things.''

But it's too late to turn back now. Despite an ambivalent populace and construction delays that still threaten the cancellation of some events, the Pan American Sports Organization is expected to give the Dominican Republic the final go-ahead for this summer's Games when its meets Thursday and Friday in Havana.

Preparations for the Games represent the largest public works project in Dominican history, says Dr. José Joaquín Puello, a prominent surgeon and president of the Pan Am Games organizing committee.

''Sports should be an important part of any society,'' he says. ``There's no doubt the legacy will be long-term.''

Santo Domingo's bid to host the quadrennial festival, which features 5,000 athletes from more than 40 nations competing in 22 sports, has had to survive a number of challenges simply to make it to this week's meeting. The Dominican capital originally hoped to host the 1999 Games but, after three ballots, it lost to Winnipeg by a vote. In 1998, Santo Domingo bid again, beating Guadalajara, Mexico and Medellín, Colombia in a heated fight for the right to stage this year's event, which runs Aug. 1-17.

After winning the right to stage the Games, financial problems forced the organizing committee to wait nearly three years before starting to refurbish existing venues and build new ones. Then that work ground to a halt for three months this winter when the political crisis in Venezuela delayed delivery of items, including stadium seats, scoreboards and building materials the construction companies were contractually obligated to buy from the South American country.

In early February, President Hipólito Mejía stepped forward approved a $5 million line of credit to help speed construction, promising the work would be done by the May 30 deadline.

Yet as recently as last month there was still concern some of the 35 venues won't be ready on time.

Some projects have a mid-June deadline, but work on the 30,000-seat Olympic Stadium, where opening ceremonies and track events will be held, and the rowing venue is likely to continue right up to Aug. 1.

Construction crews, already working 10-hour days, have been expanded, and the Dominicans intend to tell the Havana meeting the crisis is over.

''The danger that we'd have to cancel an event because some installation wasn't finished has passed,'' says Puello. He admits construction is dangerously behind but blames much of the alarm on cultural differences.

``In Spanish-speaking countries in America things happen that, for Anglos, are simply unusual. The fact that we're trying to finish our sports installations at the last minute, for [Anglos], worries them.''

Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, says the USOC, which will send 650 athletes to Santo Domingo, is concerned but is not considering alternative sites for the Games.

''We're certainly well aware that there are challenges related to venue construction. But we're confident that the Organizing Committee is doing everything it can to complete any remaining construction projects in time,'' he says. ``There's no reason to believe at this point that delays would necessitate any change in the current plan.''

For Puello, leader of the Dominican Olympic Committee for 21 years, president of the Caribbean and Central American Sports Organization and a member of the International Olympic Committee's anti-doping committee, the Pan Am Games represent the culmination of a long career in amateur sports. He's retiring after the closing ceremony, and he sees the Games and what they'll leave behind as his legacy.

'The Pan American Games, obviously, were a trampoline, a `booster,' of a sports development plan in the sense that we're building a good sports infrastructure, a good human infrastructure and, above all, we're giving a good image of the country, both from the sports sense and the nonsports sense, to the rest of the world,'' Puello said in Spanish. ``Unless a small country has an event like the Pan Am Games they will not invest in sports. Politicians pay very little attention to sport. They do not understand what sports is all about.''

But politicians aren't the only ones. Although the Games organizing committee trumpets a newspaper poll showing 74% of Dominicans are in favor of the Games, it's almost impossible to find anyone outside the committee who admits they feel that way. Even many athletes are uncertain.

''So many people are against it,'' says a man prominent in Dominican baseball circles who, fearing retribution, asked that his name not be used. ``I'm just going to sit back and see what happens.''

Most of the opposition is based on the belief that the government's contribution of more than $110 million could have been better spent on social programs in a country where a quarter of the population lives in poverty. As a result, Puello spends much of his time trying to sell the Games -- to the public as well as the politicians.

''If you do not invest in sports, no one can guarantee you that that money will go into education or agriculture or health care,'' says Puello, who puts the number of workers employed in Games-related activities at 9,000, a significant number in a country with an official unemployment rate of 15%. ``The long-term benefits are undeniable. The useful life of the installations is 30 years. In a nation like this one, where there's been little [monetary] investment in sports, that's going to be highly beneficial. Especially for the youth.''

Most of the money the government had devoted to the Pan Am Games construction is going to improve or replace venues originally built for the 1974 event. The basketball arena is getting a new floor, for example, and the main stadium a new synthetic track.

The nearby Olympic Center will feature a cycling velodrome, a fencing center, a martial arts arena, a volleyball stadium and an aquatics center.

In the capital's sprawling East Park, new facilities have been built or are being built for tennis, team handball, soccer, gymnastics, field hockey, table tennis, archery and weightlifting.

This isn't the first time there's been a public outcry over the use of public funds to construct sports venues. In 1974, the government spent millions to construct a basketball arena, track stadium, swimming complex and other installations for the Central American and Caribbean Games. The host country's athletes responded by winning 21 medals, including a gold, by far the Dominican Republic's best performance in international competition up to that time.

''Some people thought it was expensive then,'' says an Organizing Committee official. ``But it was the turning point in sport here.''

In last fall's Central American Games in El Salvador, Dominicans won 135 medals, including 32 golds.

''When you talk about sports in the Dominican Republic,'' the official added, ``you talk about before and after 1974.''

Puerto Rico, which spent $60 million to prepare for the 1979 Pan Am Games, estimated the economic impact to the island at $165 million. Winnipeg, which hosted the 1999 event, said it received a 500% return on its investment. With tourism having recently joined sugar and tobacco as a main driver of the Dominican, the Games could prove an even bigger boon, with organizers estimating 40,000 people will visit the island during the first three weeks of August.

There are other side benefits. An Olympic Village being constructed by Santo Domingo's airport will become a middle-class neighborhood after the Games. And some of the high-tech television and communications equipment being imported this summer will remain in the country, with Dominicans trained to run it.

''If the Games are such a bad investment, then why are so many cities fighting hard to get them?'' says Puello.

<a href=www.sun-sentinel.com>2003 Pan Am Games Posted March 23, 2003

The Pan American Sports Organization has decided that if certain venues for the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, are not finished by May, events including swimming, diving and track will have to be held elsewhere.

South Florida could be the leading candidate.

According to officials, South Florida, which has bid for previous Pan American Games and Olympic trials and hosted several multisport events, is willing to host some or all of the events.

"It's not a far-fetched idea," said Pam Gerig, executive director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. "It's been our long-range goal to go international. Our intent is to contact all the governing bodies to see if they want to do the Pan American Games here."

The executive committee of the Pan American Sports Organization meets in Havana this week to decide whether to delay or postpone some of the events or move them to other cities.

The Pan Am Games cannot be canceled because it serves as an Olympic qualifier in several sports for some countries.

"South Florida could have the whole Pan American Games within a few months' notice," said Jose Rodriguez of the World Olympian Association, who has put together several Pan Am bid packets. "We have the facilities, the know-how and the infrastructure. Most of the teams have to fly to South Florida to get to the Dominican Republic anyway.

"The best Plan B would be South Florida. The experience Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties have -- put those three together and what a great site this would be to have the Pan Am Games."

Pan Am construction projects in the Dominican are being held up by financial constraints and political crisis.

The country is waiting for $33 million for pool and stadium renovations. Work is behind schedule, and Dominican Republic Sports Minister Cesar Cedeño has agreed that some sports may have to be relocated if venues cannot be made ready in time.

"We have to be realistic because the work is advancing at a slow pace, but we are committed," he said at last week's site visitation by the U.S. Olympic Committee's task force.

Cycling, boxing, gymnastics, weightlifting, baseball, equestrian and volleyball are other sports that may be relocated.

"We would never not look at the opportunities," Gerig said.

"It falls in exactly with some of our goals. We would definitely go into discussion and see if it works with all parties. We put on at least two multisport events a year. That's our forte. The door is open always for discussion to bring in sports events."

A poll reported that nine out of 10 Dominicans did not support the Pan-American Games' being held in Santo Domingo.

The USOC's team processing for the Games will be held in Tampa, another possible site for several events.

South Florida is already being used as a training site for several Pan Am countries for athletes to acclimate and train for the Games.

Past Pan American Games hosts, including Venezuela and Cuba, had similar problems but still managed to host the Games.

Venues are incomplete. The Athletes Village lacked windows, doors and toilet seats.

"They are in a lot of trouble," said one USOC official. "The challenge is that, unfortunately, the leadership in these countries are sacrificing the athletes' welfare to hold this major event.

"What may save the Dominican Republic is a little tropical storm in the next three months. That would be a bona fide reason to move the Games because of an act of God."

Olympic trials

AmericanAirlines Arena may bid for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in gymnastics when the bidding process is reopened on Monday.

The Olympic Team Trials, previously awarded to the FleetCenter in Boston, are being relocated due to the city being awarded the Democratic National Convention.

Sharon Robb can be reached at srobb@sun-sentinel.com

Weapons of mass destruction, not oil. Sunday, March 23, 2003 By JENNIFER HICKS Norwich Bulletin

MYSTIC -- The war in Iraq is about weapons of mass destruction, not about oil, according to U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District.

Simmons, a Vietnam veteran and former CIA agent, talked about the war Saturday at his office in Mystic. He said America gets most of its oil from Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and not from Iraq.

Simmons said he understands U.S. forces trying to end the war quickly by conducting operations such as Friday's "shock and awe" bombing campaign.

"That kind of attack to the heart of their leadership has a lot of impact," he said.

He also said he doesn't believe the U.S. strikes will increase the risk of terrorist attacks here in retaliation.

"We're at the risk of terrorist attacks in this country to a greater or lesser degree, regardless of these attacks," Simmons said.

He said he believes the United States is sending a clear signal to countries that support terrorism to show it's not going to tolerate it.

Simmons said the Iraqi government failed to comply with 17 U.N. resolutions to disarm, particularly resolution 1441. He said satellite photos taken by the CIA showed suspicious buildings and vehicles.

"In situations like this, you have to be prepared to use force. War is an extension of politics by other means," he said. "I'm against war, but I believe it can be used as a last resort."

He said this war is a last resort to quash the goal of the Iraqi regime -- which is to kill Americans.

He said the Iraqi regime resents the influence that Western culture is having in the Middle East.

"They have fundamental differences and values than us," he said. "They feel our culture is taking over in other parts of the world."

Simmons also doesn't believe America's loss of allied support for the war will be long-term He said U.S. allies have disagreed with us in the past and then resolved the issues. He believes that will be the case again.

He said Congress' move to change the name of French fries to "freedom" fries because of France's reluctance to support the war was just for humor.

He said France, China, Russia and Germany have lucrative oil negotiations with Iraq, which is probably their reason for keeping out of the war.

He predicted Americans would continue to order Chinese take-out and White Russians even though the names come from countries standing on the sidelines of the war.

Simmons said the anti-war protests make this war different from other wars, such as Vietnam. Anti-war movements during Vietnam started several years after the war began.

"Here, we have a movement that preceded the war," he said of today's protests.

Simmons said protesters have the right to voice their opinions. Some might not have gathered all of the facts about the war, while others are pacifists, he said.

"I have great respect for pacifists," he said.

But, he said, Saddam Hussein is not a pacifist and eventually will go after the American people.

jehicks@norwichbulletin.com

Por Janet Kelly 13 de marzo de 2003

Hace unos años durante la profunda recesión y crisis financiera de los noventa, mi colega Asdrúbal Baptista opinó que, si bien estábamos en un punto muy bajo, no se podía decir necesariamente que habíamos "tocado fondo". Los países siempre pueden caer más; no hay fondo. Jamás hubiera pensado en 1994 que, casi diez años después, tendría que hacer un desvío en la Avenida Libertador porque una barricada estaría bloqueando el acceso a la zona cerca de la sede de Pdvsa en La Campiña. Esta barricada está construida de piedras y desechos varios, como un símbolo de la absoluta desintegración y división de la sociedad venezolana de hoy. Como protección para nuestra otrora gran empresa petrolera, ahora tenemos improvisión y la amenaza de violencia. El sistema entero está trancado con muchas barricadas, difíciles de desmontar, poderosas y destructivas en sus efectos.

Los venezolanos están dándose cuenta de que la tarea de reconstrucción será larga. En su último programa dominical, el presidente Chávez se refirió a "la miseria humana concentrada en la Plaza Altamira". Ojalá que Altamira fuera el único foco de miseria, porque sería fácil resolver el problema. Pero la miseria se ha instalado en los alrededores de Pdvsa, en las plazas de Caracas, en las empresas, en las universidades, en la administración pública y en los hogares venezolanos. En cuatro años, la mayoría de los venezolanos han ido perdiendo la esperanza.

La desesperanza crea barricadas también en las mentes de las personas, porque, con cada día que avanza, parece más lejos la posibilidad de desmontar lo hecho. Hay una tentación a tirar la toalla: irse no es un opción para la gente en general. Desgraciadamente, algunos están concluyendo que lo único que queda es encogerse, pasar agachado y tratar de sobrevivir. En el oficialismo, se verían estos pensamientos oscuros con desprecio, como los lamentos de los desplazados que no se conforman con el futuro bonito propuesto por la "revolución". Pero de esta revolución tal como está concebida no saldrá ningún futuro mejor, como evidencia cualquier paseo por las calles y carreteras del país. No se puede construir la prosperidad sobre la base de buhoneros y conuqueros con modelos dignos de Pol Pot. La miseria está en todas partes, pero Venezuela no tiene que ser así. Tiene que buscar, para todos, modernidad

El país democrático reconoce también que no se puede remplazar un proyecto impuesto sin el consentimiento de la mayoría por otro que no haya ganado la legitimidad por la vía electoral. Ya es evidente que el gobierno perdió hace tiempo su mayoría y que el apoyo que todavía tiene viene de los pocos beneficiados del régimen actual y de quienes temen un regreso a un pasado que no les concedió oportunidades. Por eso es tan importante que la oposición ofrezca futuro, y no una reedición del modelo anterior. Muchas grupos están haciendo un esfuerzo para diseñar ese futuro, como evidencian los documentos que se están presentando en estos días. Es importante seguir en la vía electoral, para que todo quede cristalino en cuanto a lo que quiere el pueblo.

La posibilidad de elecciones luce lejano y los avances de la Mesa de Negociación y del Grupo de Amigos se parecen a un baile a paso lento. Hay muchos que creen firmemente que el régimen podrá utilizar su poder gubernamental para trancar el juego, ganar tiempo, cansar a sus opositores y mantenerse en el poder. Esta actitud es otra barricada contra la acción y la organización. En particular, la Coordinadora Democrática, actualmente en un proceso conflictivo de repensamiento de su estrategia, tiene que reconocer que la organización necesaria es una organización electoral capaz de aprovechar las estructuras existentes de sus varios componentes en una red eficiente de movilización. La ley favorece la oposición en cuanto a la claridad del proceso venidero: un referendo revocatorio en el cual todos los votantes puedan expresar su voz. Los amigos de afuera podrán velar por la pulcritud del proceso. Podrán condenar a un gobierno que salga de las reglas. Pero sólo los venezolanos están llamados a forjar una poderosa coalición de voluntades para escoger el camino del futuro.

Hay barricadas en la calle que hay que desmontar. También hay barricadas en el pensamiento que tienen que ser tumbadas rápidamente para facilitar el tipo de acción, planificación y organización necesaria para los meses venideros.