Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990 TAG: 9005190071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: SEATTLE LENGTH: Long
Steve Sax, then a 23-year-old second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was in the midst of the most horrifying season of his life. For all the talent he demonstrated, none of it seemed to come in the field.
To consider Sax a contender for a Gold Glove, baseball's award for defensive excellence, would have been the height of absurdity.
He was more likely to win a home run title than make a simple throw to first base.
But today, the perception of Sax - that of an unpredictable second baseman with an arm of Silly Putty - may finally be disappearing.
In his ninth full season in the big leagues, and his second with the Yankees, he has come of age.
While still limited in some respects, Sax has nonetheless driven himself to a point of consistency and reliability on defense. Where once he feared seeing the ball bounce toward him, he now thrives on each opportunity to make a play.
"I'm at the top of my game defensively," he said the other day. "I feel relaxed and confident. I want the ball hit to me when the game is on the line."
Some players have achieved Gold Gloves and defensive reputations for their natural gifts: Dave Winfield for his throwing arm, Kirby Puckett for his ability to leap outfield walls in a single bound, Ozzie Smith for his acrobatic grace at shortstop. But Sax is more like a linebacker in ballet tights.
He attacks the balls with his glove. His ability to slide into the outfield grass, then grab the ball and throw out the runner is his trademark. His double-play pivot has improved enormously. Routine plays are just that: routine.
More importantly, patrons in the box seats no longer have to duck when he makes a throw to first.
Sax's rise has been steady since 1983, the season he survived despite committing 30 errors, most of them on throws when it seemed he was aiming for the upper deck.
He has not made more than half that number of errors in any of the past four years and last season committed just 10 while playing in 158 games.
This season, he has played every inning of every game and made only one error.
From a statistical standpoint, Sax led the American League in fielding percentage a year ago - the last Yankee to do so was Sandy Alomar in 1975 - as well as double plays turned. He was second in putouts, assists and total chances.
So who won the Gold Glove at second? Harold Reynolds of the Seattle Mariners, who has superb range, but also led in errors with 17.
The Gold Glove is a subjective award. It is given at each position in each league after a postseason vote of managers and coaches.
Traditionally, players establish their reputations as defensive specialists and win the award based on them.
Reynolds has won the past two, but in the previous 11 seasons, from 1977 through 1987, either Frank White of Kansas City or Lou Whitaker of Detroit has been the recipient. White won eight of them.
"I don't think the Gold Glove is worth talking about," said Sax's teammate, Don Mattingly, who has won five in a row at first. "If you're a good defensive player, people know it. It means something personally because you know you've worked hard and been recognized for something that doesn't normally get recognized. But I take pride in my defense because it helps the team win."
With Sax and Mattingly on the right side of the infield and Alvaro Espinoza at short, the Yankees have arguably the league's best infield defense. And that could help the 30-year-old Sax get recognized.
He does not enjoy discussing his chances, but he is quick to point out that he has improved strictly because of his work ethic.
"It's confidence and a lot of hard work," he said. "Ask a guy like Ryne Sandberg. He works his tail off, and that's why he's so good. I liked watching Chris Speier play shortstop because he was so consistent and he was aggressive. Mattingly is one of the best in the game, but only because he's worked so hard. I admire the way he hits, but I admire him most of all for his work ethic."
Sax said he improved for the same reason. He moves exceptionally well to his left and has become, with Espinoza, supremely adept at turning the double play.
Sax, who was signed by the Yankees as a free agent before last season, did not rid himself of his reputation easily. But then, some of his throws during 1983 were not easily forgotten.
"I was the laughingstock of the league," he said. "I said a lot of prayers, believe me."
It was purely a mental block.
"Before the games, they'd tie a sock around my eyes, and I'd hit the guy at first base in the chest every time," he said.
When Mike Blowers, the Yankee third baseman, made four errors in a game last week, Sax empathized with him.
"He explained to me what he went through," Blowers said. "He said, `You had one bad day. I had three bad months. You can either go out and do it again or forget it and go on.' Since day one, he's been great about helping me."
Now, Sax is growing into an accomplished second baseman on his own, but whether he can become the first Yankee to win a Gold Glove at the position since Bobby Richardson in 1965 won't be known until after the season ends. He is, however, gaining respect.
"If you base the Gold Glove on fielding percentage and total chances, I don't see why he shouldn't be there," Dent said. "One thing about Saxie is that he's really worked at it."
by CNB