Manager Art Howe's Opening Day staff will be infinitely better than last year's, when now - departed Jimmy Haynes — routinely ripped by teammates for his softness — shared ace status with Gil Heredia, a nomadic righthander who never had more than six wins in a year. (si.com)
The Expos also never found an adequate replacement for middle reliever Jeff Parrett, who, with pitcher Floyd Youmans, was traded to the Phillies last winter for righthander Kevin Gross (11 - 11, 4.14 ERA). (si.com)
Schilling had been the only pitcher to yield three home runs to Bonds this year until last Friday night, when Padres rookie righthander Jason Middlebrook joined him by mistakenly grooving a 3 - and - 0 fastball. (si.com)