Felix Jose’s Star Is Shining for St. Louis

ST. LOUIS — A little more than a week ago, Oil Can Boyd didn’t even know who Felix Jose was.

“I was lousy tonight,” the Montreal Expos’ right-hander said after Jose went 4-for-4 with a double, triple and two singles. “I even made that right fielder look good -- what’s his name.”

He ought to know by now.

Jose (that’s his last name) is the guy who at midweek was at the top of five National League statistical categories. He’s the guy who was the league’s player of the week last week after going 12-for-24. And he’s the guy who’s helping the St. Louis Cardinals forget that this is supposed to be a transition year.

“He’s done everything for us,” says manager Joe Torre, for whom Jose is the biggest surprise in a fast start. “I’m starting to get the days mixed up, because he does it every day.”

Torre knew he had a star in the making when the Cardinals got Jose, 24, and two other players from the Oakland Athletics last August in a deal for Willie McGee. It was a steal, a raw talent for a player who lasted only a month or so in Oakland before leaving as a free agent.

The Athletics were desperate for a center fielder to replace injured Dave Henderson and willing to pay a heavy price.

“I could see he was going to be this type of player,” Torre said. “I just didn’t expect to get it in April. I didn’t even expect it this year.”

Here’s what he got: Despite a 1-for-9 slump, Jose is among the league leaders in batting, hits, doubles, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, extra-base hits and total bases, and also was among the league leaders in runs batted in.

Besides his 4-for-4 day against Oil Can and the Expos, he had four RBI and drove in four runs in a victory over Philadelphia April 14. He’s had five two-hit games and three three-hit games. Of his first 28 hits, 13 were for extra bases.

And for a free swinger, he doesn’t miss many pitches. He struck out only five times in his first 79 at-bats.

“I’ve never had a start like he had,” said teammate Pedro Guerrero, a fellow Dominican whose locker is next to Jose’s. “I hope he stays hot all year.”

As it is, he’s certainly done his part to quiet any leftover grumbling from the Cardinals’ fall housecleaning after the team’s first last-place finish in 72 years. After trading McGee, the Cardinals allowed left fielder Vince Coleman, third baseman Terry Pendleton and reliever Ken Dayley to leave as free agents, preferring to rebuild with youth.

Like Jose, who was handed the regular right field job the day he arrived in St. Louis.

“Sooner or later I was going to get the chance to play every day and it happened as soon as they traded me,” Jose said. “I have to take care of my job now.

“I’m not going to say I’m going to put up those numbers all year, but I’m confident.”

He’s also that rare commodity, a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate -- although 11 of his first 13 major-league home runs have come from the left side.

“Those people are few and far between,” said Torre, drawing a blank after Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, Bobby Bonilla and Reggie Smith. “Think about it.”

Jose doesn’t want to get caught in comparisons just yet. This, after all, is only his second full season and first as a regular.

“I’ve had some people say I remind them of Bobby Bonilla,” Jose said. “I’d like to be a player like him but he’s been doing that for a lot of years and this is my first year. I haven’t done anything yet.”

For now, he’s happy to speak softly and carry a big stick. For all of his gaudy early-season statistics, Jose’s postgame comments have been almost inaudible. He seems genuinely unimpressed by his early accomplishments.

“It’s real early and you know how hard baseball is,” Jose said. “One day you’re up, another day you’re down, and you’ve got to be ready for both times.

“You enjoy the good times, but be ready for when you struggle or it will drive you crazy. I went 0-for-8 in Philadelphia. No big deal. That’s going to be the game.”

Jose arrives at the ballpark early and he’s all work, Torre said.

“I don’t say a whole lot to him except ‘How are you,’ and ‘Nice going,’ and all that stuff,” Torre said. “Mainly nice going. He just wants to be left alone to play ball and he’s a guy who gets along no matter where he plays.

“There’s nothing to managing a guy like that.”

And Jose says there’s nothing to playing for a guy like Torre, who pencils him in for the No. 5 slot every day, hot or cold.

“Oh yeah, I was happy when I came here,” Jose said. “I’m having a good time and enjoying the game.”