(24 July 1996; Day 5)
While their last names might not have the same ring as Mantle, Mays and Maris, WILLIAMS (Jason), KOTSAY (Mark) and JONES (Jacque), the USA's top three in a powerful lineup, produced like the famous trio against Italy.
In leading the USA to a 15-3 victory via the international run-difference on 24 July, the threesome scored seven of the 15 USA runs and knocked in a total of seven runs with seven hits, including a double and three home runs.
"To hit as well as Jason (WILLIAMS), Mark (KOTSAY) and the others did today was important," said USA mentor Skip BERTMAN following the game.
In the first two Olympic games for the USA squad, the front three in the USA lineup had produced a total of just one run and two RBI against Nicaragua and Korea, the USA's first two games in the round-robin Olympic tournament.
BERTMAN says the reason his troops took three games to get started offensively was that the pitching in the first two games "was very underrated." To add difficulty to the situation, the USA players were now playing in a major league ballpark that has housed historic moments like Hank Aaron's record-breaking home runs and several World Series games in the last five years. Plus, there were 40,000-plus fans in the stands chanting 'USA, USA', creating a even harder environment in which to produce.
KOTSAY, who regularly played in front of crowds much smaller during his collegiate career, admits it took some adjustment to get accustomed to the crowds.
"You start to feel more relaxed at the plate," said KOTSAY after belting two home runs against Italy. "Now we are used to the crowd and it is a lot easier."
But, as two of three from the productive group sat in front of a media gathering following the game, BERTMAN agreed to their importance, but said they might not even be the best players in his lineup.
"Our front three is terrific," said BERTMAN. "But the best player on our squad is Travis Lee."
While Lee, who went 0-for-3 against Italy in the cleanup spot, was hitless, it was his play in the field that helped explain BERTMAN's claim. In fact, while WILLIAMS, KOTSAY and JONES were the key offensive stars on this day, the strength of the USA team might be the fact that on any day the offensive spark could come from any part of the lineup.
Case in point. It was ninth-hole hitter Warren MORRIS's home run that beat Korea. With a 3-0 record and Japan on the slate for 20:00 on 25 July, the USA will continue to look to its front threesome to get things started offensively and the rest will try to follow the example.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Steven R. Shaff.
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