Baseball

The Kosher Kid
Shawn Green is leading the Blue Jays toward the promised land

About three years ago Arthur Richman, a senior adviser in the Yankees' media relations department, went into George Steinbrenner's office and told the Boss about a part-time major league outfielder with a mediocre glove, a propensity to whiff and a dynamic-as-matzo public persona who would, in Richman's words, "immediately boost our attendance."

"Are you kidding me?" asked Steinbrenner. "Who?"

"This Jewish kid in Toronto—Shawnie Green."

The Boss was taken aback. "His name is Shawn," Steinbrenner said. "And he's Jewish?"

Richman, a devout Jew, relives the exchange with zest. Back in '95, when Green seemed in danger of falling victim to the Brad Komminsk syndrome—great minor league player, not much of a big leaguer—Richman recognized the outfielder's potential. "Give George credit," Richman says. "He looked at Shawnie, saw he was a talent and did everything he could to bring the kid to New York. But Toronto wouldn't give him to us. Too bad."

Richman can still picture Green—tall and slender, dark brown eyes, wavy brown hair and chiseled features—in pinstripes, luring New York's substantial Jewish population to the ballpark, just as Sandy Koufax did in Brooklyn and Los Angeles more than 30 years earlier. "He's probably the best Jewish hitter since Hank Greenberg," says Richman. "New York would love him."

Maybe so, but Blue Jays execs—who a few times came close to trading Green to a team other than the Yankees, their American League East rivals—aren't likely to let their powerful rightfielder go anywhere now. Green is putting the finishing touches on a breakout year, with his 32 home runs and 33 stolen bases through Sunday, making him the first 30-30 player in Toronto history. His 92 RBIs were a career high. Most impressive, after three years of floundering in Toronto as the can't-miss prospect who was missing, Green has led the up-and-coming Jays (81-68) to within striking distance of the once untouchable Red Sox in the wild-card race. "If he had been getting this kind of playing time three years ago," says teammate Alex Gonzalez, "his stats this year wouldn't be such a surprise."

When he was called up by the Blue Jays for a taste of their '93 world-championship season, Green, the team's first draft pick two years earlier, was Toronto's top prospect—smooth lefthanded swing, graceful runner, rifle arm. The next year, with Triple A Syracuse, he led the International League with a .344 average. But upon graduating to the majors he became a platoon player under Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. "All I've ever wanted is a regular opportunity," says Green, who before this year hadn't had more than 429 at bats in a big league season. "Not just against righties, but everyone."

Rookie manager Tim Johnson granted the outfielder his wish in 1998. Green, who has never hit lefties well, still doesn't (.220 through Sunday). He also strikes out too much (130, third in the league). But Johnson has kept him on the field, and Green has easily eclipsed his career-best power numbers (54 RBIs in '95 and 16 homers last year).