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Do IT this week: Layering
He's .319 since July 10, only .238 for season, with 10 homers, 39 RBI
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Signing David Dellucci for three years has not been one of General Manager Mark Shapiro's most popular moves among Indians fans.
In 2007, Dellucci missed much of the season with an injury. This year, many Tribe partisans would say that Dellucci is just missing.
Going into Tuesday night's game against the Rays, he was batting .238 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI in 88 games (256 at-bats).
''This is probably the hardest season for me in my career, except for last year, when I was hurt,'' Dellucci said. ''We didn't make our expectations as a team, and every day has been a battle.
''For me personally, it's been an extremely difficult year offensively. I'm capable of much more. But it's not over, and I'm hoping to put up some better numbers.''
He's already begun to do that. Since July 10, Dellucci has batted .319, with three home runs, four doubles and 12 RBI in 15 games, 12 of them as a starter.
The way Dellucci sees it, he's hit the ball with authority but hasn't much to show for it until recently.
''I've hit a lot of balls hard that guys have made plays on,'' he said. ''It's just hard luck, guys making diving catches or like last night, the shortstop going to cover second when I hit a ball up the middle.
''But I think balls are starting to find holes for me. When balls start falling, you have more confidence, and that's what's happening now. What it comes down to is being human. You have up and down years, and you have to have faith.''
Dellucci was hired to be a platoon left fielder. It was his job to play against right-handers; Jason Michaels took the field against lefties. Michaels was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier in the season, and Dellucci has been the designated hitter (30 games) almost as much as the left fielder (38).
''My whole career, I've been used to sharing time,'' Dellucci said. ''That doesn't mean I like it, but I accept it. And this year has been tougher, because they want to see some young players, too.
''It's hard to keep your swing and timing when you're not playing consistently, but I completely understand what the organization is doing. I'm not going to be the bitter guy in the corner, griping about it.''
And in Dellucci's case, there's next year.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.: Signing David Dellucci for three years has not been one of General Manager Mark Shapiro's most popular moves among Indians fans.
Get the full article here.
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