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Saturday notebook
Valentine doesn't want to hear about second-guessing
Posted: Saturday October 16, 1999 08:37 PM
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Eddie Perez has let his bat do most of the talking in the NLCS. AP |
NEW YORK (AP) -- Backup catcher Eddie Perez, who became a regular for Atlanta when Javy Lopez was lost for the season because of a knee injury, was the Braves leading hitter through the first three games of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets.
Perez hit important home runs in each of the first two games and had two of Atlanta's three hits Friday night, lifting his average for the series to .600.
Second-guessing
Like any manager, Bobby Valentine of the Mets isn't crazy about second-guessing. And he refuses to do it to himself.
"I think that stuff is all crazily overrated, for what it's worth," he said. "I watch all the games again. I know what went on the first time. I don't necessarily need to do it twice because I don't get to do it over.
"You'd rather have guys get a 3-2 pitch and hit it in the gap or get a ground ball when you need it. You'd always rather have that happen. Then you wouldn't have to worry about anything else."
Closing the case
Leading 3-0, the Braves went for the sweep against the New York Mets on Saturday night. It was a role reversal from a year ago, when San Diego won the first three NLCS games against Atlanta.
The Braves came back against the Padres in that series, winning the next two games to force it to Game 6 before San Diego closed the series.
Braves manager Bobby Cox had an explanation for that. "It's difficult to win any game this late in the season," he said.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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