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Man on the spot Batista gets his World Series start one day late
Updated: Thursday November 01, 2001 8:08 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- A day later than scheduled, Arizona's Miguel Batista will get his World Series start Thursday in Game 5 against the New York Yankees. The change is no big deal for a pitcher who has been moving back and forth between the starting rotation and bullpen all season. "I've been through this for the last seven months," Batista said after manager Bob Brenly bumped him a back a day to start Curt Schilling in Game 4 on three days' rest. "I'm not here to judge the man's command. I'm here to follow orders. We have made a lot of changes through the season and I've been in 95 percent of them, so I'm used to it." The game is vital for Arizona, beaten in 10 innings in Game 4 after being one out away from winning the game and taking a 3-1 lead in the Series. Batista started 18 games, relieved in 30 others. At 11-8, he was Arizona's third-biggest winner behind Schilling and Randy Johnson. "I have learned a lot from them," Batista said. "What is it I can't tell you. That's a team secret."
There's an air of mystery about the right-hander. He has written poetry, and is working on a second novel. There is an affection for Albert Einstein with a quote from the late scientist in Batista's locker. "That's just a quote I bought in a store in San Diego," he said. "I really related to when he talks about imagination and how important it is for a man to know that math and addition is better than talent and knowledge. "You know what you know, you do what you can but you can imagine a whole different world and that's what it means to me." His first book was published on Jan. 29. The next one is about a young serial killer. Then there is his fascination with the law. He plans to go to law school, perhaps before he ends his baseball career. Brenly understands Batista is a little different than most players. "I have never been around anybody like Miguel Batista," the manager said. "He is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Not that this is a criticism, but if you are not talking about fantasy football or baseball or girls, most ballplayers don't have much to say. And Miguel has got opinions on everything. He's extremely well-read, extremely soft-spoken and a very thoughtful, caring human being. He's a great pitcher on top of it." Opposing Batista will be Mike Mussina, who was knocked out after three innings of his start in Game 1 of the World Series. It was Mussina, however, who beat Oakland 1-0 in Game 3 of the Division Series, a victory that kept the Yankees' season alive. Mussina was 17-11 in the regular season and was one strike away from a perfect game in Boston in his most impressive start. His assignment in Game 1 of the World Series fell far short of that. He allowed five runs on six hits, including two home runs. "It was one of those days," manager Joe Torre said. "It was just his command. He just could not put the ball where he wanted to. He was missing his spots. It was just one of those days were you chalk it up to doing better the next time." Mussina was asked if he agreed with Torre's characterization. "Yes," he said. "I could not throw it where I wanted to throw it. Just that simple. I'll probably just forget about it. There's not much I'd like to remember, so I'll just forget about it. You know, it's a different setting, a different setting. We'll start new and try to go after them again."
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