Newcomers on display as 1997 season opens
Major league baseball opens with 17 games led by the World Series champs Yankees at Seattle and the Marlins hosting the Cubs. Newcomers Belle and Clemens draw attention as teams debut in fresh uniforms while Jackie Robinson’s 50th anniversary is honored with special Rawlings balls. Weather logistics prompt a revised schedule to favor warm weather and all five parks in use.
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Sandberg keeps Cubs fate, 1997 move near for Indians
Cubs star Ryne Sandberg considered joining Cleveland after he and agent waited for a Cubs call. Cleveland pursued him briefly after Mark Grace and Brian McRae were dropped, with talk of a two season Cubs stay fading as Hart's overtures stirred debate about a possible late-career shift.
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1997 Season Predictions Big Names and Bold Bets
A parade of forecasts names Brett Butler and Buddy Bell as brave stories while criticizing media hype around Hideki Irabu and Fielder. It touts Vladimir Guerrero, Bob Gibson praise for Enc Ludwick, and futures for Maddux, Grissom, Justice, and several team-wide notes for the Braves Indians Yankees Mariners and others.
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Red Letter Dates The Baltimore Sun Baseball Calendar
The Baltimore Sun outlines key baseball dates from opening day to the World Series. April 15 marks President Clinton speaking at Shea Stadium on Jackie Robinson’s major league color line anniversary. April 19 features Cardinals versus Padres in Hawaii. June 12 has interleague play in Seattle anniversary home run. July 8 hosts All-Star Game at Jacobs Field. Playoffs start September 30 with World Series to follow.
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Indians unveil 1997 opening roster with Thorpe on DL
Herbert Perry is listed on the disabled list after knee surgery as Cleveland prepares its 1997 AL season roster. The Indians’ lineup features 11 pitchers including Bartolo Colon and Charles Nagy, 2 catchers Sandy Alomar Jr. and Pat Borders, 6 infielders led by Omar Vizquel and Jim Thome, and 6 outfielders headed by Manny Ramirez and Marquis Grissom. In a spring exhibition, David Justice delivered a bases-loaded double for an early lead and Marquis Grissom homered as Cleveland beat the Giants 5 0 to complete a two-game sweep. Justice had been hitting poorly in spring before the big hit, while Grissom’s homer came off Russ Ortiz. Cleveland’s Aibe Lopez pitched two innings for the win.
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