from Newsday
By Bob Herzog
July 1, 2002
Robin Ventura had what Joe Torre called "the old shrug" working full-time yesterday. The Yankees' third baseman was delighted to be named an All-Star for the second time, 10 years after his first selection. But he still remained the laid-back, unflappable Californian who never met a question that he couldn't answer with a wry grin and a shrug.
Could he imagine, during a winter when he was traded from the Mets to the Yankees after a difficult, injury-filled 2001 season, that he'd be an All-Star in 2002?
"I don't think anyone could sit here and think that was going to happen," Ventura shrugged.
Is there any irony in being named an All-Star with the Yankees as he prepared to end a series against the Mets?
"No, no," he shrugged. "For me, the only irony is just making it, any way that I could."
Did his offseason workout regimen, including kickboxing and surfing, have anything to do with his resurgence?
"Part of it. Probably," he shrugged.
Will yesterday's announcement alter his plans?
"I had a family vacation planned and had tickets to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert," Ventura said. Of course, he quickly shrugged that off, too. "It's nice. I'm honored to go. It's better to go with all the guys [the entire Yankees infield]. That will be fun."
The season has been fun for Ventura from the start. After an assortment of injuries that slowed him considerably in his last two seasons with the Mets, Ventura is among the American League home run leaders with 19. He has 58 RBIs, including four Friday night that came in three bases-loaded situations, a career-long specialty. For his career when batting with the bases loaded, Ventura is hitting .350 (56-for-160) with 15 homers and 186 RBIs.
"I can't explain it," Ventura said. "You do swing a little differently. You just want to get one in the air and get a run in. If you do more, great."
That's the way Ventura approached his first season with the Yankees. His expectations were modest, but his professionalism - at the plate, in the field and in the clubhouse - remained at the highest level.
"I expected him to hit 25 homers, but I didn't expect him to have most of them by this time," manager Joe Torre said. "He's been great. He beats on himself when he doesn't do well, but he keeps everybody else loose. That's the part of Robin Ventura that we didn't know a whole lot about - his personality ... the only trouble I have is that he never gives you a straight answer about taking a day off. He's ready to play every day if you ask him."
He's even willing to switch positions. Torre joked that one reason he selected Ventura was because the 35-year-old said he would agree to play second base in the All-Star Game July 9. The only second baseman on the squad is Alfonso Soriano. "It didn't hurt," Torre said with a laugh. "I may have to take him up on it."
Derek Jeter, who had wondered aloud how the Yankees would fare without the familiar faces of Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius in the infield this season, said yesterday: "No one expected him to have this kind of year. Any time you replace guys who have been here a while, you are curious to see how it will turn out. Robin has been one of the keys to our success."
Four lockers down, Ventura was being asked about the 10-year span between his All-Star appearances. "I like to space them out," he said, flashing a smile. "It's easier on your body that way. This is a pleasant surprise. After that many years, you don't plan on it."
Then he shrugged once more.
