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Raines battles lupus and Father Time for Olympic dream
NEW YORK, Sept 1 (AFP) - Tim Raines, battling lupus and Father Time at age 41, is bucking the odds to win a spot on the United States Olympic baseball team only six months after retiring from Major League Baseball. The seven-time All-Star outfielder is the only retired major leaguer still being considered for a spot on the US squad for the first Olympic baseball tournament open to professional players. But because Major League Baseball refused to shut down its season and create "Dream Teams" for the Sydney Olympics, the US squad must make do with minor-league talent - and possibly one veteran of 21 major league seasons. "I don't think I have to hit home runs or steal a lot of bases or crash into walls," Raines said. "All I have to do is show that I can still play. I know I still can. It's just a matter of getting back in shape." Raines batted .295 for his career with 807 stolen bases, fifth-best in major league history. He had at least 70 steals a season from 1981 to 1986, although that speed is now only a memory. Drug-free since checking himself into a rehabilitation clinic to kick a cocaine habit in 1982, Raines once stole an Aerican League record 40 bases in a row without being caught out. Raines played for the New York Yankees World Series championship teams in 1996 and 1998 as well as for the Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox and Oakland As. But his 1999 As season was cut short when he was diagnosed with lupus. After doctors discovered the disease 13 months ago, Raines was unable to hit, throw, run, or exercise. Raines had lost 25 pounds, his timing and some of his strength by the time he was pronounced medically fit to train again. That came only three weeks before the Yankees began training camp for the current season. So when Raines was slowed by a toe injury in a practice game on the first day of camp, his major league career was effectively over. "All the work I did trying to come back was wiped out," Raines said. "I couldn't even put my shoe on." Raines dreams of performing well enough at Sydney to entice one of the 30 major league clubs to give him a look in 2001, saying "I would be crazy to pass up a chance like this." A stint with a nearby minor-league club has helped Raines get into shape. He still has to wait until August 23 to know if he made the talent pool being considered for Sydney. The final 24-man roster will not be set until major league clubs finalize their rosters for the season September 1. The US squad will be guided by former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who will turn 73 in Sydney. Cuba's reigning Olympic champions will receive their toughest test of global superiority from South Korean and Japanese pros as well as the US team. But should the major leagues ever shut down for the Olympics as the National Hockey League does, "Dream Team" lineups could be fielded by Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic as well as the United States.
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