THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505160488
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Through April, the Tides' attendance was up over last season, which bucked the trend in the International League. Not that fans are transferring their frustration over the major leagues' labor unrest onto the ranks of Triple-A, according to league president Randy Mobley.
``I still believe it's primarily weather-related,'' Mobley said. ``Some might argue that there are some residual effects from the strike, but I don't believe that the baseball fans are mad at Triple-A baseball or the International League.
``Now if you come back in two months and we're talking about the same type things, maybe I've got to revise my thinking. But I'm not convinced that it's anything other than a tough spring.''
Through 13 dates, the Tides drew an average of 305 fans more than last season, when they set a franchise record of 557,586. As for the league in general, it was down 518 fans per night from last season at the same time.
The Tides, Pawtucket, Richmond and Syracuse had shown the only increases, with Pawtucket up about 700 per date. Ironically, perennial attendance champion Ottawa had suffered the worst drop. The Lynx on average drew 2,000 fewer fans per date in April than they did last season.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Of the players who were Tides for most or all of last season, only second baseman Quilvio Veras is a starter in the major leagues this year. Acquired by the Florida Marlins over the winter for outfielder Carl Everett, Veras is a starter for Florida a season after hitting .249 and stealing 40 bases for the Tides.
Following is a look at where some other prominent Tides from last season, no longer with the Mets organization, are now: outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and pitcher Joe Roa, Triple-A Buffalo (Cleveland Indians); outfielder Rick Parker, Triple-A Albuquerque (Los Angeles Dodgers); outfielder Jim Vatcher, Triple-A Las Vegas (San Diego Padres); pitcher Mauro Gozzo, pitcher Kevin Morton, catcher Joe Kmak, Triple-A Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs); pitcher Ken Greer, Triple-A Phoenix (San Francisco Giants); pitcher Frank Seminara, Triple-A Rochester (Baltimore Orioles); outfielder Shawn Hare, Triple-A Oklahoma City (Texas Rangers).
HE WANTS WINS: Some pitchers obsess about earned-run averages, but give Tides righthander Paul Byrd victories.
``I think above any stat, your wins are the most important thing,'' Byrd said.
``I'd rather have a high ERA and a lot of wins than a great ERA and an even record. That's the goal of the game, to win.
``People are paid for that. A guy who wins a lot is always going to stay around. He's going to make money.'' by CNB