Document text
Barry prepares for stint in American League By KRIS HENRY In hindsight, Jeff Barry should have seen it coming. All the signs were there prior to Thursday's trade that sent the Medford resident and two other minor leaguers from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher James Baldwin and cash. "It's always somewhat of a surprise when a trade happens," Barry said when reached Friday in Las Vegas. "Every year at the end of July there are crazy trades and you never know what's going to happen. But this is the third time it's happened to me." In 1991, Barry was traded by the Montreal Expos to the New York Mets. In '95, the Mets sent him to the San Diego Padres. In his 12th season of pro ball, Barry will be playing for his 12th minor league team and for his seventh organization when he joins the White Sox's Triple A affiliate on Monday in Charlotte, N.C. Barry had put up solid numbers with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple A affiliate in Las Vegas this season, batting .290 with 12 homers, 20 doubles and 42 RBIs in 89 games. Despite the strong play, Barry found himself staying put in recent weeks as other outfielders were called up to the major leagues. "I really don't have any good thoughts or bad thoughts (on Thursday's trade)," said Barry. "I hope there's more of an opportunity to make it up to the big leagues than there was with the Dodgers. Maybe if there are moves to be made with the White Sox then it will be me this time." Barry is quick to note that he has complete respect for the Dodgers' front office and is thankful they gave him a shot to play every day in Las Vegas after he spent last season in Japan. "Sometimes it just happens where your name isn't called when you think it should be called," said Barry. "That's just the nature of the business. You just have to accept it and move on." Barry has spent his entire professional career playing in the National League, but is looking forward to life in the American League. He said the possibility of playing designated hitter "might be good for my 32-year-old legs." Barry said the Charlotte Knights told his agent that he would fill a big void for the Triple A squad by playing right field. As it is now, the team is loaded with infield talent but has very few outfielders. "They have infielders playing outfield right now, so that's a good sign for me," said Barry. Joining Barry in North Carolina will be left-handed pitcher Onan Masaoka. The third member of Thursday's trade, pitcher Gary Majewski, is slated for a Class A assignment. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.