Pitcher shows courage in face of tragedy

The Journal staff

Tempe, Ariz. Bobby Cuff didn't play a major role in the Milwaukee Brewers' exhibition victory over California.

But he made a major impression on the Brewers' coaching staff.

Cuff, a 29-year-old right- hander who signed with the Brewers after showing his stuff at a replacement tryout camp in Orlando, Fla., found out shortly before game time that his father had died after a long bout with cancer. He was 64.

"I knew something was wrong as soon as Bobby came back on the field," manager Phil Garner said. "I told him to go ahead and take the day off if he needed to. He said he wanted to go ahead and pitch."

Cuff, who gave up seven runs in 1 1/3 innings during his first outing, came in to work the fifth inning and gave up a run on two hits. He walked one batter and struck out one.

Because he was near the 35- pitch limit the Brewers set for him, Cuff did not work the sixth inning. The Brewers went on to post a 10-4 victory at Tempe Diablo Stadium and improve their spring record to 3-2.

"I wanted to go out there because I didn't throw well Friday," said Cuff, who last pitched professionally in the Toronto organization in 1988. "I felt OK out there, really."

After getting the first batter to pop out to the shortstop, Cuff surrendered a double to Dave Liddell on a 3-and-2 pitch and then walked Allan Parker.

The next batter, Demond Smith, punched a single through a hole at second base to drive in Liddell.

Cuff quieted the rally by striking out Pete Coachman and getting Tyrone Boykin to fly to center.

"I told him after the game that he was courageous," Garner said, adding that Cuff was expected to head home for his father's funeral and return to camp in a few days.

Expensive haircut: Infielder Bo Dodson didn't think he was in the lineup for the Brewers' home opener Monday against the Mariners so he skipped the game and got a haircut. Unfortunately, the Brewers were expecting Dodson to play and fined him $150.

Dodson returned to action Tuesday and was 3 for 5 with a double and one RBI.

"The fine was originally $1,000," Garner said, smiling. "After today, it's only $800."

Aldrete injured: Rich Aldrete, the Brewers' hottest hitter early in camp, left the game in the fifth inning with a slightly strained right groin. Garner said the injury happened as Aldrete reached first base on a fielder's choice.

Dell gets a W: Starter Tim Dell, who was on the losing end of a 24-2 thrashing last week against Colorado, rebounded with the victory Tuesday. In two innings, he game up a run on three hits and struck out two.

"It was encouraging," said Dell, who is earning a reputation as the funniest interview in the Cactus League. "If I get better every time out, by 1998 I'll be nasty. That will be about when they settle this {strike}.

"I used to think it would be any day now, but I'm not sure anymore."

Small turnout: Attendance was announced at 766 Tuesday, but the crowd may have been smaller. A Los Angeles reporter counted just more than 350 before the first pitch.

"They must not have known I was playing," Dell said.

TV blackout: The Angels and their flagship television station have decided to pull the plug on two scheduled spring training broadcasts.

The Brewers still plan to go ahead with their two exhibition telecasts. The first will be March 25 against Colorado at Compadre Stadium. The second will be the following day against San Francisco at Scottsdale Stadium.

Copyright 1995
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