Guys Who Help Out

By Paul Wysard

With a quarter of the current season behind us, we have seen surprising pitching success of Garland and Willis, dominant work by Santana and Clemens, homerun explosions detonated by Abreu and Tino Martinez, high average in high altitude by Rockies rookie Barmes, a horrendous slump of the Yankees, an early sprint from the White Sox, Derrick Lee's six weeks as MVP, challenges to the Braves, and offensive struggles in Oakland, Houston, and Cleveland.

Most of the usual suspects are hitting and pitching well, or are on the verge of doing so, but let's also recognize those players who are making important contributions away from the headlines.  Almost all of them have been vagabonds and are becoming long-of-tooth, but they can play the game when called upon.  Each finds a job every year because general managers and field managers agree that "he can help us out."

When this contributor first saw John Mabry,  34,   play seven years ago, the wonder was that he was in the Majors.  He appeared awkward, ran stiff-legged, and did not seem to have much of a swing. But after stops in six other cities, he is back where he started, in St. Louis, and the Cardinals surely salute his return.  He has stepped in for  injured Scott Rolen at third, even making some Rolen-type plays over there, and is also available at first and in the outfield.  Since Rolen's shoulder mishap, Mabry has gone 13 for 30, with 11 RBI,  9 runs scored, and 2 homeruns, one of which was a towering shot during the club's record ninth-inning comeback a week or so ago.

Damion Easley was coveted by Fantasy players in the late '90s, a second baseman who could hit 25 homers, score and drive in 100 runs, steal 20 bases, and also play shortstop.  Slowed by injuries during much of the life of a $20 million contract with Detroit, he has bounced back at 35 as a valuable reserve in Florida.  After Luis Castillo's quad trouble, Easley took over and went 9 for 32, with 2 homers, 4 doubles, and 6 RBI.

   40-year-old B.J. Surhoff was a .290/20/80 hitter for more than six years in the NL before going to Baltimore in the mid-'90s, where he was involved in two post-seasons.  Back with the Orioles, he has been in the lineup frequently over the past few weeks, giving the team 11 for 31, a homer, and 5 RBI.  He knows what he is doing and is yet spry enough to put in time at first and in the outfield.

Chris Widger, 34, a career reserve catcher who earned a slot with the White Sox this Spring, was, according to a recent article, reading a newspaper in the clubhouse when peppy, unpredictable Manager Ozzie Guillen walked by.  "Widge, you're playing third today. Crede's gonna rest."  Huh?  Widger dropped a throw at that post during the game, but such brash confidence was repaid from May 1- 18, as the journeyman went 7 for 15, with 4 doubles.

   Many fans assume that  Greg Maddux started the trend of "personal catcher". Certainly such rapport between individuals existed long before then, but Eddie Perez, 37, was Maddux's receiver in the  Atlanta days and now plays a similar role for Mike Hampton.  The long-time cameo player can hit a little, too, with a 3-run homer during the first week in May.

   He has never had as many as 200 at-bats in 11 Big League seasons, but, at 35, Mark Sweeney  always has a job.  The left-handed pinch-hitter is back with the Padres for the third time and has provided punch: 7 for 16 from May 1-18, with 7 RBI, and for quite a while he carried an OPS above 1,000.  He is also available for service in the outfield or at first base.

  When will Terry Mulholland, 42, hang 'em up?  The answer is: Not quite yet.  The old-timer has pitched for eight teams, several times in repeat performances, and started 15 games for the Twins last season.  Although he is a "situational" reliever at this point, he has the history of giving a team innings - 123 in 2004.  Do not be surprised if he shows up as a spot starter for Minnesota this summer.

  Readers will no doubt think of other players of this type, perhaps from their favorite teams, but those above have been among the most  successful, helping their teams to be where they are - at or near the top of the various divisions.