2005/4/7
發表者：林言熹 首次發表時間： 2005/4/8上午 01:00:36
最新更新時間： 2005/4/8上午 01:00:36
連續第四年從3A拉斯維加斯51區開始的陳金鋒不發牢騷，繼續努力準備妥當
，看看何時能有機會。
根據拉斯維加斯評論報（Las Vegas Review-Journal）Matt Youmans的專文
，身為51區全壘打紀錄（72支）保持人的陳金鋒，在道奇球團的日子邁向
第七年，也是連續第四年從3A出發，期間在拉斯維加斯出賽351場，但於
大聯盟只有12戰，但對自己生涯的緩慢進展並不擔心。
在6日下午於Cashman Field練習時，陳金鋒表示「我喜歡這裡且這裡對我來
說十分舒適，沒啥問題。」「不論我在此或在大聯盟，我仍然得打球，我只
是試著表現打來看看會發生什麼事，那是我心裡唯一想到的。」
雖然陳金鋒連續四年待在51區，但總教練可是季季都不同，從Brad Mills、
John Shoemaker、Terry Kennedy到2005年球季由過去兩年擔任道奇小聯盟內野
訓練員的Jerry Royster接任。
Royster說：「陳金鋒離準備妥當十分接近，我希望能看到他有機會再嘗試大聯盟
。」「以我的意見而言，從任何角度來看他已經準備好在大聯盟打球，只不過在
他前面的選手值得在他前面，但他只是沒在大聯盟獲得機會而已。」
季後被移出40人名單，也許就此離開道奇球團的金鋒，因為通過waiver和沒選擇
得同意下放小聯盟之下，繼續留在道奇，Royster也說：「他沒有問題，我支持
陳金鋒，今年會是他成熟的一年。」「看看我是否能給他成為大聯盟選手的機會。」
同時在51區的還包括和陳金鋒同窗多年的二壘手Joe Thurston、從洋基換來的捕手
新秀Dioner Navarro、投手Edwin Jackson、內野新人Willy Aybar與日本土砲中村紀洋。
陳金鋒去年在拉斯維加斯出賽81場，打擊率0.289、20支全壘打、65分打點，雖然三度
升上大聯盟，但都沒啥出場，將於7日作客對上落磯3AColorado Springs Sky Sox打
四連戰，有機會促成史上首度陳金鋒—曹錦輝對決。
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Thursday, April 07, 2005
Copyright c Las Vegas Review-Journal
Chen won't complain about starting year with 51s
By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
As surely as the sun rises in the east, when the Los Angeles Dodgers break
spring training and head west, Chin-Feng Chen gets dropped off in Las Vegas.
Chen, the Triple-A franchise's career leader in home runs with 72, returns
for his fourth season with the 51s when they open the Pacific Coast League
schedule on the road at 5:05 p.m. today against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Entering his seventh season in the Dodgers organization, Chen has played 351
games in Las Vegas and only 12 in the major leagues. But he's not worried
that his career seems to be in slow motion.
"I like it here and it's very comfortable for me, so it's OK," the
27-year-old outfielder from Taiwan said before a Wednesday afternoon workout
at Cashman Field.
"Whether I'm here or in the major leagues, I've still got to play. I just try
to play well and see what happens. That's the only thing in my mind."
Several familiar faces are on the team picture. Jerry Royster returns as
manager, a position he had for the Las Vegas Stars from 1996 to 1998. Royster
was the infield coordinator for the Dodgers organization the past two years.
Royster's 24-man roster includes starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, infielder
Joe Thurston and outfielder Cody Ross -- all key players on last year's team
that finished 67-76.
Chen hit .289 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 81 games for Las Vegas last
season. He was called up to Los Angeles three times but never saw significant
action.
"Chen is close to being ready to go. I would like to see him get a shot at
the major leagues," Royster said.
"In my opinion, he's ready to play the major league game in all aspects. The
guys ahead of him deserve to be ahead of him. But he just hasn't had the
opportunity at that level."
Chen was left off the Dodgers' 40-man roster in the offseason and was not
expected to return, but cleared waivers and re-signed with Los Angeles.
"He's going to be just fine," Royster said. "I'm a Chen guy, and I'm also a
Ross guy. This is a big year for them. We are very, very good offensively."
Ross hit .273 with 14 homers for the 51s, but was limited to 60 games because
of injuries. He will start in center field.
Thurston, who has played 369 games in three years in Las Vegas, probably will
fill a backup role at second base because the Dodgers want a more extensive
look at other prospects.
Norihiro Nakamura, a veteran from Japan, will play first base. Willy Aybar, a
22-year-old who hit 15 homers last season at Double-A Jacksonville, will see
time at second and third.
The regular catcher will be Dioner Navarro, a 21-year-old who played five
games for the New York Yankees last season.
"I would say that most people consider our No. 1 prospect here is Navarro.
He's as good as the hype," Royster said.
Jackson, a 21-year-old right-hander, was ranked the Dodgers' top prospect
last year. But he struggled in 19 starts in Las Vegas, going 6-4 with a 5.86
ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA in seven games in the majors.
Jackson will start the fourth game of the season Sunday, putting him on
schedule to take the mound April 15 in the 51s' home opener against Colorado
Springs.
"Being in Vegas is not necessarily a bad thing," Jackson said. "I'll come
down here and work hard."
Royster said he plans to develop prospects, but not at the expense of
winning.
"We're going to have a pretty good season," Royster said. "This is fun, and
this is why I don't mind coming back and doing this. I love this part of it,
where I can present to them an opportunity to become a major leaguer. It's
what I feel like I do best."