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Tuesday, March 19, 2002

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- General Manager Dave Littlefield and Manager Lloyd McClendon gave evenhanded responses to Derek Bell's statements about not knowing he was competing for the right-field job and both said the message to the team on the opening day of camp was every job was up for grabs.

"We want the best guys out there, whether it's right field, the bullpen or starting pitchers," Littlefield said yesterday.

"Competition is good for everybody. It's the message at every position. We're looking for the best guys."

McClendon said he had no intention of calling Bell into his office.

"I haven't read the paper. Don't want read the paper. It's tough enough already," McClendon said. "I'm taking the best 25 players north. Right now, we're in the process of trying to figure that out. If a guy has a problem with understanding, my door is open. Always has been. I don't have a problem communicating. I don't have a problem with conflict. I'm ready to move on."

Asked Sunday about the right-field job, Bell said: "If there is competition, they better eliminate me out of the race and go ahead and do what they're going to do with me. ... If it ain't settled with me out there, then they can trade me. I ain't going out there to hurt myself in spring training battling for a job."

Friendly competitors

Sean Lowe and Josh Fogg became the best of friends in their White Sox days. Yesterday, in a 6-4 win against the Texas Rangers, they were competing for the final spot in the Pirates' starting rotation.

Lowe pitched the first three innings and got the win, allowing one run on three hits. Fogg followed in the next four innings, allowing three solo home runs. Neither walked a batter.

A decision on the final spot in the rotation hasn't been made.

"Hopefully, things will play themselves out over the course of the next five days or so," McClendon said. "We'll just see how things go. They were both impressive."

Lowe believes the competition will benefit the team.

"I don't feel any pressure to do anything other than just go out and get outs," Lowe said. "My philosophy is I'm in the rotation. I don't know what else they want to see out of me. I'm not going to do anything more than I'm doing now. It's whatever they feel is the best team, whether it's me or not.

"I like competition. It makes me work harder. The good thing about it is they have choices. Looking at it in the long run, it's good for everybody."

As for his competition with Fogg, Lowe says that major-leaguers have to prove themselves every day.

"If he makes in the rotation over me, I'm still going to shake his hand and give him a hug and say congratulations," Lowe said. "I want him to make this team. He's a good friend of mine."

Fogg got a couple of pitches up in allowing home runs to Hank Blalock, Ed Sprague and Jason Romano. Despite his rookie status, he didn't get rattled.

"There was no added pressure. No less pressure. I just went out there and tried to get outs," Fogg said. "Let the chips fall where they may. Whoever gets the job, gets the job."

Wilson shows power

Jack Wilson hit his third home run of the spring and had two RBIs and Mike Benjamin had a two-run single.

"I think he's a lot stronger," McClendon said of Wilson. "I think he's starting to get in the groove defensively as well."

The Pirates had not beaten the Rangers since March 28, 1999, a span of nine exhibition games.

Running man

It was the hottest day of spring training -- near 90 degrees -- but with a day off today, McClendon had the team running the bases after the game. Then to get in the spirit of things, he and his coaching staff ran a lap to the delight of the players.

"We wanted to add a little fun," McClendon said. "Add a little fun. I'm sure they enjoyed watching us huff and puff around the bases."