Statistics and words compiled from back of 2003 Topps Baseball Cards * Aaron Rowand, Chicago White Sox Outfielder, RH - started professional ball in 1998 with Hickory, then played with Winston-Salem, Birmingham, Charlotte before joining Sox in 2001, and hit a solid .293 in 63 games. In 126 games in 2002, Rowand batted .258 with 16 doubles, 7 home runs, and 41 Runs, 29 RBIs. * Matt Morris, St Louis Cardinals Pitcher, RH - was 12-9, with a nice 3.19 ERA as rookie in 1997, followed those numbers with W/Ls of 7-5, 2.53 ERA in '98... on DL in '99... 3-3, 3.57 ERA in 2000... big winner in 2001 with a sterling 22-8, 3.16 ERA in 34 games, including 185 strikeouts in 216.1 innings... 17-9 in 2002... After going 15-2 at home in 2001, Matt continued his Busch Stadium dominance in '02. On May 9, he shut out the Cubs in St. Louis, giving him a 9-0, 1.44 record in his last 11 home starts. In July, he earned his second straight All-Star invitation. * Chris Reitsma, Cincinnati Reds Pitcher, RH - known throughout the game as a high-character guy, Reitsma has spent several off-seasons working with people with Down Syndrome and other mental disabilities. "They Knew I play a game, but (our relationship) has nothing To do with baseball," he says. "They treat me like their Brother."... In 2002, his sophomore season, he posted a 6-12 record, with a 3.64 ERA in 138.1 innings spanning 32 games. * Timo Perez, New York Mets Outfielder, LH - compared to the other leagues he's played in, the Majors is a breather for Timo. "Here you play with a little less pressure than in Japan," he says, referring to his four years with Hiroshma. Perez received respect from Mets fans when he Scored 11 runs in 2000 post-season play... in 2002, he hit .295, with 27Ds, 8Hrs, 47 RBIs in 136 games. * Eric Chavez, Oakland Athletics Third Baseman, Bats LH, T RH - A 'Sporting News All-Star' for 2002 - Even when the A's were little short of lumber in 2002, they could always rely on their heavy-hitting hot cornerman. Chavez ranked among the American League's top in both home runs - 34 - and RBI - 109. Moreover, his acrobatics at third base contributed to Oakland's AL-best 3.68 ERA and 103 wins. For loads of fun reading about baseball players, type in Yankees, Cardinals, Pirates, Red Sox, Cubs or all other teams in our Search on the home page |
