|
Rothschild gets high marks for 1st season
By MARC TOPKIN © St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 1998 For the most part, Rothschild effectively navigated his team through the turbulence, and distractions, of an inaugural season. And he did so working for a GM (Chuck LaMar) and an owner (Vince Naimoli) who also were in their first seasons. Sure, Rothschild made some mistakes -- a mix-up on an occasional sign, getting too aggressive with runners on base, staying with a pitcher too long, or not long enough. But the biggest issues for him were usually the littlest things. "I knew there was a lot to the job coming in, but the importance of the smaller details sticks out," Rothschild said. The hardest part of the job, of course, was the losing. "It always will be, and it should be," he said. Rothschild is like that. No matter the question or issue, it always comes back, and comes down, to winning. And that was one thing that emerged through the team's initial season -- he will settle for nothing less. That's why he was depressed after losses, and rarely jubilant after wins. He has high standards, and they won't be met until the Rays are in the post-season. "A lot of times you walk a fine line in developing players and making sure you give them a chance to develop and put them in the right situations, and still instill in the team the idea that we're trying to win every game we can," he said. "I think one thing I tried to make sure I got across is the urgency to win here. By no means is it a panic, but the players have to know there's an urgency to win, that there's a competition to get better. I think that's important and I think we'll get better faster with that attitude. "I don't like to sit back and say, "Well, that's just the way it is now and we'll get better.' I don't believe in that because I don't think it gets anything done." Rothschild worked hard and pushed his staff and players. He rarely smiled. But he couldn't have enjoyed the experience, his first managing at any level, any more. "I wouldn't trade it for anything," he said. And, just as he believes his team will be improved next season, he expects the same of himself. "I better be," he said. THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE: Ballots for the official AL Rookie of the Year award are due today and Arrojo likely will be among the top vote-getters, along with Oakland OF Ben Grieve, Chicago SS Mike Caruso and Yankees RHP Orlando Hernandez. Results will be announced in November. ... Arrojo, Grieve and Caruso also were nominated for the Players Choice AL rookie award, to be presented Oct. 30 at Disney World. HOO-RAYS: Information on season-ticket renewals should be mailed within the week. ... There is talk of adding a picnic area in the leftfield corner of Tropicana Field. ... 2B Miguel Cairo plans to play winter ball in Lara, Venezuela. ... LHP Mike Duvall, an outdoorsy type, will be married Oct. 18 in Maine and spend his honeymoon camping at Yellowstone National Park.
Business |
Citrus |
Commentary |
Entertainment
|
Home
EW YORK -- He didn't have as many victories as Rolando Arrojo or hit as many homers as Bobby Smith, but manager Larry Rothschild didn't have a bad rookie year either.
