1998_04 Insight April 1998

              6
InSports
SportsTalk
Braves' experience too much
for rest of league to handle
There was once a day that when
you spoke of the Atlanta Braves, you
spoke of them as the worst team in
baseball. Obviously those days are
long gone as Atlanta has made six
straight postseason trips in the 1990s.
I believe the Braves will win the
National League pennant based on
pure talent and good ol" experience.
They understand what it takes to win,
plus they have the depth. On any
given night anyone could step up and
produce a key play.
The Braves showcase such new
talent as first basemen Andres
Galarraga, shortstop "Wizard" Walt
Weiss and veteran pitcher Dennis
Martinez who is a perfect fit for
Atlanta's fifth starter.
The starting rotation, like always, is very deep in talent. Denny
Neagle. the fourth starter, went 20
- 5 last season. On most teams he
would be (he ace of the staff but.
unfortunately, he is overshadowed
by the likes of Greg Maddux, John
Smoltz and Tom Glavine. And
don't forget Martinez.
The Braves will also display
"Mr. Clutch." third basemen Chipper Jones. Jones will make a run at
this year's MVP. Their power will
be fueld by center fielder Andrew
Jones who might hit 40 home runs
this season.
With the bitter taste of losing
the way they did last year in the
pennant race and with an experienced pitching rotation. I look for
the Braves to win it all this year.
Yankees' talent in '98 will set
pace in American League
Unknown player
earns trip to NIT
I agree with Kris Stone on the
Atlanta Braves winning the National League. But what about the
American League?
The Cleveland Indians will be-
strong as usual with the additions
of Kenny Lofton. Shawon Dunston
and Dwight Gooden.
And don't forget about the Seattle Mariners or the Baltimore
Orioles.
Seattle, of course, is led by
Randy Johnson. But a lack of
pitching will lead to the Mariners'
demise. Johnson. Alex Rodriguez.
Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez
can't do everything.
The Orioles will always be a
solid contender. Doug Drabek will
provide depth to the pitching staff
along with Mike Mussina and Jimmy
Key, while the line-up will always be
dangerous with Robby Alomar,
Brady Anderson, Rafael Palmeiro,
Eric Davis and, of course, Cal
Ripken, Jr.
Speaking of the Yankees, which
are loaded this season, they are my
pick to win the American League.
New York added the best second
baseman in the league. Chuck
Knoblauch, and hard hitting Chili
Davis. David Cone should be healthy
which gives the Yankees a deadly 1-
2 punch along with Andy Pettitte.
Paul O'Neill. Tino Martinez, and
Bemie Williams make the Yankees a
deadly hitting team, which will lead
them into the "Fall Classic."
QU0,^W.
'eek
ft
Making the
most out what
we have and
developing
the overall
individual
makes our team
concept
one of the best
in the USA.
99
- Margie Wright. Fresno
State softball coach
E| The
ound
#
• Bulldog swimmer. Holly Gravatt, made Fresno State history by
earning All-America honors for the second time in her career.
• Guard Chris Herren was named to the first team All-Pacific
Division in voting by the league's coaches and media.
• Track and field pole vaulter, Melisa Price, set a Fresno State and
NCAA record of 13-10, clinching the National Championship in
the event.
• Bulldog point gaurd, Rafer Austin, set a school record in assists
for a   single season with 242, surpassing former Bulldog point
gaurd Brian Santiago, 233 (1994).
• The equestrian team has qualified 12 riders for this year's
Regional Finals.
• Bulldog centerfielder, Laura Berg, ranks #8 in career runs and
#11 in career triples in NCAA history while ranking #6 in the
NCAA books in career hits (320).
• Upcoming home events: baseball vs. San Jose State (4/3-5):
softball vs. San Jose State (3/31). Santa Clara (4/2) and San Diego
State (4/11); men's tennis vs. University of San Diego (4/4), Santa
Clara (4/5) and Cal Poly SLO (4/11).
by Scott A. Mayes
Staff Writer
Saying goodbye is never easy.
But for Jimmy Ortiz, a walk-on with
the Fresno State men's basketball
team, it comes with the territory.
Ortiz, who isn't mentioned in the
1997-98 media guide, plays behind
guards Rafer Alston, Chris Herren.
Demetrius Porter and Rico Laurie.
Western Athletic Conference rules
allow only 12 players to travel on a
road trip.
Ortiz, who began the season at
No. 15 on the squad, practices every
day and shoots his free throws like
the rest of the team. For home games,
he sits on the bench at Selland Arena
waiting for his chance to play. Then
he waves goodbye at the airport when
the team travels.
"That was the agreement from
the beginning," Ortiz said. "It [watching them leave) got harder along the
way."
The fate of Ortiz, who watched
the games from his television like any
other Fresno State fan, recently
changed.
When the men!s basketball team
boarded its charter flight for the
quarterfinal NIT game against
Hawai'i, Ortiz made the cut.
Forward Matt Rines did not
make the trip because of "school
commitments." Ortiz said. Rines testified before the grand jury in the
continued point-shaving investigation on the day the Bulldogs played
Hawai'i. With Willie Farley.
Day mond Forney and Avondre Jones
no longer on the team. Ortiz had his
foot in the door and his bags packed
for Hawai'i.
This was not just the first road
trip for the junior guard, but it was
his first airplane ride.
"The first plane from Fresno to
San Francisco was a small plane,"
Ortiz said. "It shook a little ... It
wasn't too bad. All the excitement
from the night before got me going.
"This is unbelievable," he added.
"I never thought I'd do something
Sport* Information photo
Jimmy Ortiz
like this."
Ortiz said it was an incredible
atmosphere in the locker room after
the win over Hawai'i.
"After all the adversity throughout the year, it (the atmosphere] was
just happy," Ortiz said. He also expected the trip to New York to be fun.
Although it's been a tough assignment for Ortiz, he's happy with
his role on the team.
"If I can't be out here making
them better, I'm cheating them."
Ortiz said. He said if he was cheating them, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.
Ortiz played only three minutes
of game time during the season, collecting one personal foul, one assist
and one turnover. The rarely used
guard isn't even assured of playing
time during practice. "Sometimes I
get used and get my rear kicked for
an hour," he said. "Other times I just
stand and watch."
Ortiz, at 5-foot 7-inches. is considered a small basketball player for
a Division I university. Ortiz said he
is looking forward to next year, his
senior season.
"I'd love to come back," he said.
"But it's not up to me. It's pretty
much up to the coaches. I've got to
get better at the game so I can get
used more."
One thing about Ortiz is that
coach Jerry Tarkanian has respect for
his work ethic.
"Jimmy's a great kid." Tarkanian
said. "He's a hard worker. He's a real
asset to our program. We're lucky to
have him."
Jesus...    Alive???
Yes. there were witnesses who saw Jesus
alive following his death on the cross. But
they are long gone. What it really comes
down to now is faith... as in the promise
spoken by the Apostle Paul: "Believe in
the Lord Jesus and you will be saved..."
Acts 16:31
As this Easter season approaches,
we faculty and staff invite you
to investigate the life and claims
of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible.
He can change your life too.
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