Henry Schulman. The San Francisco Chronicle. Wednesday, May
2, 2001
Pittsburgh -- Imagine knowing that your father, living in another country,
has cancer, but you can't get details because there is no phone where he is, and
you are not welcome to travel home to see him.
Now you understand Livan Hernandez's sorrow.
Hernandez and his half-brother, Yankees pitcher Orlando Hernandez, have been
told that their father, Arnaldo, the original "El Duque" in Cuba, has
cancer. Although Livan said he doesn't know exactly what kind, Orlando said in
New York the family suspects lung cancer.
"It's hard. I try not to think about it," Livan Hernandez said
after working out at PNC Park yesterday. "My dad started my brother and me
playing baseball when I was 8 years old. I play baseball because of my dad. Me
and my brother wanted to follow our father in what he did."
MORE PERSONAL TRAGEDY: Manager Dusty Baker said simply, "He's certainly
being tested." Baker was speaking of third baseman Russ Davis, who went
home to Alabama Monday for his third family funeral since early March. First,
his father died, then an uncle. His latest loss was a first cousin.
Baker gave Davis the night off yesterday to gather himself after another
emotional visit home and an early-morning flight to Pittsburgh.
MISCELLANY: Marvin Benard broke the longest homerless streak on the team,
158 at-bats. His only previous hit in 13 career at-bats against Ramon Martinez
was also a home run. . . . Baker said he hoped to save his overworked late
relievers, but had to summon Felix Rodriguez for two batters in the eighth
inning after Aaron Fultz allowed two runs and left two more in scoring position.
. . . The PNC folks have a few wrinkles to iron out. For Rich Aurilia's first
at-bat they put Davis' photo on the big video screen. Second time up, they
showed Kurt Ainsworth. . . . After facing no left-handed starters the entire
season, the Giants will see four consecutive (Jimmy Anderson, Bruce Chen, Randy
Wolf and Omar Daal) to end this trip.
©2001 San Francisco Chronicle | 