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Look back at: Divisional Playoffs |
League Championship
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Monday, October 23
Torre changes mind on Knoblauch
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- In a surprise, the Yankees reversed course
Monday and decided Game 1 hero Jose Vizcaino will start at second
base over Chuck Knoblauch when the World Series shifts to Shea
Stadium for Game 3.
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| Knoblauch |
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| Vizcaino |
Yankees manager Joe Torre said many times last week that
Knoblauch, the DH for Games 1 and 2 at Yankee Stadium, would shift
back to second for games at the National League ballpark, when the
designated hitter is not used.
"I'm not surprised," said Knoblauch, who hasn't played in the
field since Sept. 29. "It's the right thing to do. This is not the
right time to mess around when we're two wins away."
The Yankees take a 2-0 lead against the Mets into Game 3 Tuesday
night. Knoblauch has been bothered by throwing problems and arm
pain throughout the season.
Torre said reporters helped change his mind.
"They asked me the question and the more I thought about it, I
thought it probably was not the right thing to do," he said.
Vizcaino got the unexpected start at second base over Luis Sojo
in Saturday's opener because he hit well against Al Leiter, the
Mets' Game 1 starter. Vizcaino became the Yankees' hero, going
4-for-6, including the game-winning single in the 12th off Turk
Wendell. He was 0-for-4 Sunday.
He sounded surprised by his manager's decision.
"He hadn't talked to me about it," said Vizcaino, acquired
June 20 from Los Angeles. "You have just got to go out there and
help the team."
Vizcaino, who is 5-for-14 (.357) against Game 3 starter Rick
Reed, played with the Mets from 1994-96.
"I feel comfortable here," he said. "It's a more difficult
infield; it's not a good infield. The infield is tougher than at
Yankee Stadium because it's harder."
Knoblauch, 0-for-8 with two walks in the first two games, had 15
errors this season and said the elbow still hurts when he throws.
He plans to have his elbow examined after the Series by Dr. James
Andrews.
"I'm disappointed I'm not playing the game, but it's all about
winning, especially this time of year," Knoblauch said. "I'm not
used to not playing. I support the decision 100 percent, and I can
always pinch hit or pinch run."
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