Post by TestSubjekt on Aug 20, 2006 8:22:02 GMT -5
sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-giants-ruetertribute&prov=ap&type=lgns
The lifesize bobblehead doll sounds pretty cool, but I bet it would scare the kids.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The Giants honored former pitcher Kirk Rueter on Saturday night, paying tribute to the winningest left-hander in San Francisco history who retired before this season.
Rueter received a standing ovation during a pregame ceremony at the Giants' waterfront ballpark before a game with the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers.
"This is pretty special," Rueter said. "I've been part of a lot of ceremonies here. ... Thank you for letting me stay here."
The 35-year-old Rueter won 105 games during his 10 years with the Giants. That places him third for victories in San Francisco history behind Hall of Famers Juan Marichal (238) and Gaylord Perry (134).
"I have managed a lot of pitchers and players and I have played with a lot of pitchers and players, and he's one of those guys you'll never forget the rest of your life," said Giants manager Felipe Alou, who also was Rueter's skipper in Montreal. "From the first day he was in the big leagues, everybody loved that kid and they still do after he left the game."
The Giants are sending Rueter, his wife and two daughters on a trip to Hawaii and also presented him with a life-size bobblehead doll of his likeness.
Former Giants pitchers Jason Christiansen and Robb Nen attended the ceremony on the field, along with the current team and several members of the Dodgers who played with Rueter.
The Giants designated Rueter for assignment last August after activating him from the disabled list. He had lost his spot in the rotation in July and went 2-7 with a 5.95 ERA in 20 games in his final season.
Rueter broke into the big leagues in 1993 under Alou in Montreal and came to the Giants in '96, compiling a record of 105-80. He ranks third in career starts for San Francisco with 277, also behind Marichal and Perry.
Rueter had a career record of 130-92.
Rueter received a standing ovation during a pregame ceremony at the Giants' waterfront ballpark before a game with the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers.
"This is pretty special," Rueter said. "I've been part of a lot of ceremonies here. ... Thank you for letting me stay here."
The 35-year-old Rueter won 105 games during his 10 years with the Giants. That places him third for victories in San Francisco history behind Hall of Famers Juan Marichal (238) and Gaylord Perry (134).
"I have managed a lot of pitchers and players and I have played with a lot of pitchers and players, and he's one of those guys you'll never forget the rest of your life," said Giants manager Felipe Alou, who also was Rueter's skipper in Montreal. "From the first day he was in the big leagues, everybody loved that kid and they still do after he left the game."
The Giants are sending Rueter, his wife and two daughters on a trip to Hawaii and also presented him with a life-size bobblehead doll of his likeness.
Former Giants pitchers Jason Christiansen and Robb Nen attended the ceremony on the field, along with the current team and several members of the Dodgers who played with Rueter.
The Giants designated Rueter for assignment last August after activating him from the disabled list. He had lost his spot in the rotation in July and went 2-7 with a 5.95 ERA in 20 games in his final season.
Rueter broke into the big leagues in 1993 under Alou in Montreal and came to the Giants in '96, compiling a record of 105-80. He ranks third in career starts for San Francisco with 277, also behind Marichal and Perry.
Rueter had a career record of 130-92.
The lifesize bobblehead doll sounds pretty cool, but I bet it would scare the kids.