Baldwin staying focused

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Wednesday, March 20, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- While most of his teammates fanned out on the fairways during the Seattle Mariners' only day off of spring training, one of the most avid golfers on the team stayed behind and worked.

It was James Baldwin's turn to pitch Tuesday, so he dressed alone in the Mariners' clubhouse and then pitched five innings of a minor-league exhibition game.

He needed just 43 pitches to sail through a Class A lineup of Angels, allowing just three hits in five shutout innings that were so efficient, he threw 30 more pitches in the bullpen.

Afterward, Baldwin's self appraisal was positive.

"I'm able to go out there and throw my pitches for strikes, and I feel good," he said.

This is the first spring in two years that Baldwin has felt this way. He had shoulder surgery in October, 2000, and labored through a difficult season last year, during which he was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Mariners got him as a free agent, feeling comfortable that his health problems are over. Baldwin said when he reported to spring training, he had no concern about how his arm would feel.

"I busted my butt this offseason." he said. "I do that every year because when I come to spring training, I'm ready. You don't come to spring training to get ready. You've got to be ready when you get here."

M's glance

- Tuesday: Off day.

- Today: Mariners vs. Cubs at Peoria, noon.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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