THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 16, 1994 TAG: 9408160492
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Say what you will about Bobby Valentine, the man takes his job as the Norfolk Tides manager seriously.
``I have an obligation to the organization and to the team to be here,'' Valentine said Monday. ``So I'm here.''
And just five days after being hospitalized with divertic-ulitis.
It was only last Wednesday that Valentine was led out of Cooper Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, writhing in pain on a stretcher with an IV in his arm. It was his third serious bout with the colon infection that if untreated is potentially fatal.
Doctors in Columbus told Valentine he needed surgery, and that he wouldn't be on the Tides' bench any more this season.
``I kept telling the doctors that that's exactly where I was going to be in a few days when they were telling me they were going to operate,'' he said.
Valentine amazed his doctors with a near-miraculous recovery. His infection subsided and he was released Saturday.
On Sunday he rejoined the team in Toledo.
``We were shocked to see him,'' Tides pitcher Joe Roa said. ``We thought he was out for the year.''
Monday, looking tired but sounding as enthusiastic as ever, he resumed his familiar position on the Harbor Park bench.
``I was lucky that it got better,'' Valentine said. ``If it hadn't gotten better, I would have had to have surgery.
``Now we're going to do it on an elective basis, so it will be my decision.''
That surgery will come next month, once the season is over. Or so Valentine hopes.
Valentine acknowledges he's still weak and vulnerable to a relapse. He must watch his diet, drink plenty of fluids . . . and pray.
``I just have to be lucky,'' he said. ``I should know in about five days whether I can finish the season.
``If nature tells me I have to change course, then I will. They say after having this happen three times you're supposed to put up the white flag.''
So far, the flag remains unfurled.
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: The Tides' three home games next week against Ottawa will be broadcast by the Montreal Expos radio network, which broadcasts in both French and English. Ottawa is Montreal's top farm club.
However, Tides' general manager Dave Rosenfield says the New York Mets radio network will not broadcast any games from Norfolk. WFAN, the Mets' flagship station, had considered taking some Tides' games, but will instead broadcast sports talk shows.
ASK THE PREZ: Tides' president Ken Young will take calls from fans tonight at 6:30 on WTAR 790-AM. Fans can reach Young by calling 499-0790.
TONIGHT'S STARTERS: Dave Eiland (8-6, 3.43 ERA) will start for Columbus. Kevin Morton (3-6, 4.81) starts for the Tides. by CNB