Notes: Rivera a big fan of Gordon's

03/28/2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- Mariano Rivera is the closer who loved Tom Gordon.
"The relationship I had with Tom is more than baseball," Rivera said. "I learned to know him and to love him. He did a tremendous job with us, and wish him the best. I have no doubt he'll do a great job as the closer."
Like Trisha McFarland, the lead character in Stephen King's novel, "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon," Rivera has a fondness for his former teammate, who returns to full-time closing.
The two men became close friends during Gordon's two seasons setting up for Rivera with the Yankees, and Gordon often mentions how much Rivera taught him, even though he's two years older than the 36-year-old Panamian superstar. The pair have dined a few times this spring and caught up at Legends Field before Tuesday's game.
Rivera was amused to hear Gordon say how he got two outs on Monday with a cutter -- Rivera's signature pitch -- and the Yankees closer said he tried, but couldn't throw a curveball like Gordon.
Rivera has no doubt that Gordon will make Philadelphia fans forget Billy Wagner.
"He's ready to do it," Rivera said. "He's done it before. I believe this year, with the help of his bullpen, he'll do a good job. The job that he did for us in the eighth inning was a tough job. Most of the time, he saved the games."
"The eighth inning in New York is like the ninth inning anywhere else," said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. "Tommy will be fine in the ninth. He's done it before. What he did for us was remarkable."
Bell questionable? David Bell went 0-for-3 with a walk in a Minor League game on Tuesday, and has played in six of eight days, but that likely won't prevent him from starting the season on the disabled list.
Bell has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game, and if he doesn't, the Phillies could put him on the DL retroactive to March 28. That would make him eligible to return April 8.
Not that he should be shooting for that date, since Bell won't return until he shows he can play nine innings and swing a bat without discomfort or feeling sore the next day. He's had assorted injuries this spring, including a sore left elbow and a recurrence of his chronic back condition.
Manager Charlie Manuel also revealed that Bell has a sore quadricep muscle. Manuel plans to meet with Bell on Wednesday morning and will likely tell him that he's destined for the DL.
Such a move could be great news for Tomas Perez, Chris Coste or Chris Roberson, as the Phillies will have two bench spots available.
Coste has been the story of the spring because of his penchant for big hits and ability to play first base, third base and catcher. The 33-year-old has no big-league experience.
Ditto for the 27-year-old Roberson, who has never played about Double-A, but could provide speed off the bench and the ability to play all three outfield positions.
Perez could be the odd man out, despite a $700,000 guaranteed contract. He cleared waivers this week, meaning no team was interested in him.
Hairy situation: The clean-shaven mug shot of Sal Fasano that appears in the Phillies media guide can't possibly be the same fu manchu-wearing guy who lurks in the Phillies clubhouse after games.
Actually, the Fasano pictured is more like the one who played for the past two seasons with the Orioles and Yankees, respectively.
"On the first day of camp [with the Yankees in 2004], they posted two rules of facial hair. You can't have any hair lower than your lower lip," he said. "You can have a mustache, but you can't have a fu manchu. I didn't look the same. I looked like a different guy. This is something I've always had. You still try to abide by the rules, even though you're trying to be rebellious."
Fasano shaved regularly during his season with Triple-A Columbus, and had to keep it off with the Orioles. Since the Phillies are more liberal regarding facial hair, Fasano's style returned.
"It's part of human nature to feel comfortable, and this is how I feel comfortable," he said. "When I didn't have it, I don't feel like the same catcher or the same guy. It's weird, I know. Something in my psyche tells me I need it."
Booker to DL: Chris Booker, a Rule 5 Draft selection, will start the season on the disabled list, buying the Phillies time before he has to be offered back to the Nationals.
The 29-year-old has been slow to recover from offseason knee surgery and he has appeared in just games this spring. He's allowed four runs in two innings, on four hits and two walks.
Weekend help: The team also announced that it will bring eight players to Philadelphia for the two On-Deck Series games at Citizens Bank Park this weekend. Pitchers Jeremy Cummings, Clay Condrey, Travis Minix and Brian Sanches, catcher Dusty Wathan, infielder Joe Thurston and outfielders Peter Bergeron and Shawn Garrett will be on hand to provide depth.
Quotable: "It's about time I got hit again. I just got over getting hit on the forearm." -- Aaron Rowand, who got hit in the left hand with a pitch in the first inning
Philling in: Keep an eye out for A's utilityman Freddie Bynum, the latest player believed to be on the Phillies' radar, according to a baseball source. The lefty is hitting .373 this spring in 51 at-bats, with six doubles, three triples and a homer. Bynum is listed as a second baseman, but he can also play the outfield. ... The Phillies traded right-hander Aquilino Lopez to the Padres on Tuesday, a day after optioning him to Minor League camp. Philadelphia acquired a pair of Minor Leaguers, outfielder Matt Thayer and third baseman Trey Johnston.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/