Detours Are Holding Up Boone

It should have been the happiest time of Aaron Boone’s life.

Boone, considered one of the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospects, was called up from triple-A Indianapolis on June 20, replacing his injured brother, Bret. In his first game, he drove in the go-ahead run of Cincinnati’s 4-2 victory over St. Louis.

But six days later, Boone’s major league plans took an unexpected detour.

The Reds put Terry Pendleton on the 15-day disabled list because of a hairline fracture of his right big toe, but Pendleton balked, saying he could play. He appealed to the Players Assn., which convinced National League officials to return Pendleton to the active roster.

Someone had to go back to the minors to make room for Pendleton. Boone was chosen. He is still waiting to be called up again.

Other players might have whined about the injustice of it all, especially when the Reds wound up releasing Pendleton on July 24.

But Boone, 24, who starred at Villa Park High and USC, has continued to play well for Indianapolis. In 122 games, he’s hitting .284, with 22 homers and 73 RBIs.

It is Boone’s second solid season. Last season with double-A Chattanooga, he set a Southern League record with 44 doubles. In 136 games he batted .288, with 17 homers and a team-high 95 RBIs.

“I’ve just looked at what happened as being another steppingstone to where I want to go,� Boone said. “I’m trying to help Indianapolis win and get better as a player. I feel like my time will come.

“I still feel I have something to prove. Part of being a young player is playing every day and getting through the highs and lows of the game. Many decisions about where and when I play are out of my control. But my background gives me a better understanding of how baseball works and how people are thinking.�

It is an impressive background. Aaron and Bret represent the third generation of the Boone family playing professional baseball.

Their grandfather, Ray, was a 13-year infielder with five major league teams, from 1948-1960, before becoming a scout for the Red Sox. Their dad, Bob, caught 19 years in the majors with three teams, including the Angels, and was manager of the Royals from 1995 until he was fired at the All-Star break.

Bret, a second baseman, made his major league debut in 1992 with Seattle, was traded to Cincinnati in 1994, and is now in his sixth season.

Aaron, a third baseman, holds out hope the Reds will recall him in September when teams can expand the major league roster from 24 to 40. But that might not be happen right away. Indianapolis is second in the American Assn. East Division, and appears headed for the playoffs.

“With baseball you continue to learn about yourself as you try to get better at the game,� Aaron Boone said. “We have won a lot of games here in Indianapolis and it makes things easier to focus. The Reds . . . have said ‘Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be back soon.’ �

Bob Boone, who saw his son play in August in Indianapolis, said: “[Aaron] has developed power the last two years. He’s made some errors this season, but his range is terrific and his arm is solid. The next step is playing in the big leagues, and he is right there.�

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Ted Silva can relate to Aaron Boone’s situation, but on a lesser scale.

The former Cal State Fullerton star (he was the winning pitcher in the 1995 College World Series final) had an impressive 1996 season in the Texas Rangers’ system, winning 10 games at single-A Charleston and seven games at double-A Tulsa. The 17 victories were the most by any Ranger minor leaguer, and earned Silva the organization’s Nolan Ryan minor league pitcher of the year award.

So where does Silva find himself in 1997?

Silva has remained with the Drillers in Tulsa. His numbers are down slightly from 1996; in 23 starts Silva is 13-9, with a 4.02 earned-run average.

“I guess you have to pay your dues and this is part of that,� Silva said. “I’m just trying to go out and put up solid starts. I’ve felt this year has been equal to last year, that I’m doing just as good.

“I’m low key by nature; I don’t get overly excited or really depressed. At this stage of my career every win and loss is the same. These games are to get you ready for the next level, so I try to keep things in that perspective.�

Silva is the first to say he is not an overpowering pitcher. He depends on good control, changing speeds to keep hitters off balance, and keeping walks to a minimum. This season, Silva has walked only 36 and struck out 106.

“I took what I learned at Fullerton to the next level,� Silva said. “They taught me how to go about pitching, who to prepare for various situations.

“I’m sure some guys wonder how they get out against me. But I’ve always had decent control and that has helped me when I don’t have a good fastball going.�

Silva would like to think that there is nothing else he has to show the Rangers’ brass in double A.

“I feel I’m still progressing,� Silva said. “To make double A, not too many people can say that. I feel I’ll get a shot at triple A next year. I’ll take that level at that time.

“I just turned 23. I wanted to give the minors four years and see what happened before I thought about doing something else. This is only the third year, and I’m not discouraged.�