Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990 TAG: 9006290216
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: Medium
A shy, private person, Sandberg seems uncomfortable when he is being interviewed. But as his numbers grow, so do the questions off the field.
Can he win another Most Valuable Player award? Is the triple crown possible?
"It's too early," Sandberg said of the MVP, which he won in 1984 when the Cubs won the National League East.
"I haven't thought about," he said of the triple crown for leading the league in home runs, batting average and RBI.
A lot of people haven't thought about the triple crown because it has become such an elusive feat, especially in the National League. Joe Medwick of the St. Louis Cardinals was the last NL winner in 1937, while Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox was the last one to do it in the American League back in 1967.
Sandberg has never won a home run title or a batting championship, and he has never driven in 100 runs in a season. His top average was .314 in 1984 and his best home run season came last year when he hit 30, 19 of them during the second half of the season.
But Sandberg currently leads the NL with 24 home runs, is second in batting at .344 and is among the league leaders with 52 RBI. He also is the leading NL vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
"It's nice to be appreciated," said Sandberg, who also has 14 stolen bases.
Earlier this year, the focus was on Sandberg's fielding. He closed 1989 by setting a record of 90 straight errorless games by a second baseman. He extended the streak to 123 games this season before making a throwing error on May 19.
"I take my defense seriously," Sandberg said. "I have been blessed with quick feet, good hands and good eyes."
Cubs manager Don Zimmer said hard work is also an important part of Sandberg's flawless fielding.
"Usually, guys who play every day take a day off from fielding ground balls in practice," Zimmer said. "Not this guy, never. No matter how much he has played."
Sandberg, who turns 31 in September, has won seven Golden Glove awards and should make it eight this year. But the most improved part of his game is his power hitting.
After hitting only 15 homers in his first two seasons, Sandberg had 19 the following season and 26 the year after that. Last year, he hit a career high 30 homers.
"Overall, he's the best [second baseman] I've seen in my 42 years in baseball," Zimmer said.
by CNB