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Eric Milton is likely to hold off, and really, who could blame him?
Milton, 28, has been traded twice in his major-league career. The New York Yankees
sent him to Minnesota in 1998 in a memorable deal that shipped Chuck Knoblauch
to New York. And early this month, the Twins sent Milton to the Phillies in
a cost-cutting move that bolstered the Phillies' rotation.
The latest trade left Milton with a unique question to answer:
Get that Phillies tattoo or not?
Milton already has a Yankees tattoo and a Twins tattoo, but finds himself with
his third organization since the Yankees drafted him out of Maryland in the
first round of the 1996 amateur draft. He seems to be running out of room.
"I don't think I'm going to do another one right now," he joked. "I
might have to get the other ones covered up or something."
The Phillies don't mind. They sent pitcher Carlos Silva, infielder Nick Punto
and minor-league pitcher Bobby Korecky to the Twins because they needed somebody
to replace Kevin Millwood if he decides not to return. Millwood has until midnight
tomorrow to accept salary arbitration from the Phillies.
The Phillies think Milton is that guy.
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Milton was born in State College, Pa., but grew up about 10 miles northeast
in Bellefonte. He graduated from Bellefonte High in 1993 and took his lively
left arm to Maryland.
There he met his wife, Kim.
So this is a homecoming of sorts. Yes, Bellefonte is more than 200 miles from
Philadelphia. But family and friends of Eric and Kim are nearby, certainly closer
than they were in Minneapolis.
"That pass list is gong to be a pain in the neck," he said, smiling.
Milton grew up a Pirates and Steelers fan, but cheered for Joe Paterno and the
Nittany Lions. Philadelphia? He's not an expert, but he knows the Eagles are
incredibly popular.
"The fans are fun to watch, too," he added, mentioning fan groups
like the Wolf Pack, Padilla's Flotilla and Millwood's Militia.
Like many baseball players, Milton is an avid hunter and fisherman. He recently
spent time in Pennsylvania hunting with family and friends. He frequently heads
out with close friend and former Twins teammate Brad Radke for deep-sea fishing
in the Gulf of Mexico.
"Where do they fish around there?" he asked. "It's always nice
to have fresh fish."
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Baseball people like this acquisition for the Phillies. They believe Milton
will benefit from pitching in the National League, and from having a healthy
knee.
Milton, who will make $9 million and be a free agent after next season, had
knee surgery that forced him to miss most of last season. He said he is ready
to go. The Phillies and Twins think so, too.
"You got one of the hardest-working kids ever," Twins manager Ron
Gardenhire said. "He's a gamer. A fierce competitor. You're going to love
him, I'm telling you. He's learned to pitch a little bit, too. He was a thrower
for a while. He learned to use his pitches now."
Milton said rehab was tough, both physically and mentally. He started just three
games last season, a shock to the system for a pitcher who averaged 32.4 starts
in his previous five seasons.
"Everything is going great now," he said. "I know everybody is
going to have their questions. That's the name of the game. All I can do is
just go out, take the mound every fifth day, and perform and give the team a
chance to win. That's what I'm going to do."
The Metrodome is known as the Homer Dome, a reputation bolstered last summer
after a former Metrodome superintendent told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that
he manipulated the air vents in the late innings of close games.
Milton doesn't buy that Homer Dome stuff.
"It's not as bad as people think," he said.
Milton surrendered 94 home runs in his last three healthy seasons with the Twins.
His ERA never finished under 4.32. He was asked if he looks forward to pitching
in the National League and leaving the Dome behind.
"I have a knack for giving up home runs as it is," he said. "Any
ballpark I can give up home runs, so it doesn't matter."
He says that with confidence, knowing sometimes numbers can be deceiving.
Gardenhire and the Phillies have said that Milton's home-run and ERA numbers
should be ignored. Milton went 41-26 (.612) from 2000 to 2002. The Phillies
would gladly take that winning percentage.
He can hit, too. He is 6 for 20 at the plate in interleague play. Don't think
Phillies manager Larry Bowa won't appreciate that.
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Milton has been to the playoffs with the Twins, and looks forward to getting
back soon. He looks at the additions the Phillies have made this off-season
- Billy Wagner, Tim Worrell and Roberto Hernandez - and likes their chances.
"One thing I know with being with the Twins is it's about pitching,"
he said. "We had some good pitching, and the pitching should be good here.
That's how you win ball games. I'm really excited about what I'm going to."