Monday, July 5, 1999
Benny cools,
but still a hot
commodity
Though his average is
By Dave Reardon
down, his popularity - and
marketability - aren't
Special to the Star-BulletinBENNY Agbayani's bat has cooled considerably since its white-hot start in May.
But the New York Mets outfielder by way of Aiea, St. Louis School and Hawaii Pacific University is still a fan favorite at Shea Stadium, his agent says.
Danny Horwitz of the Beverly Hills Sports Council said doors are opening for endorsements and paid appearances because Agbayani plays for a team in a major media market.
One opportunity includes advertising work for Hawaiian Punch, since Agbayani has been referred to by the nickname often in the New York and national media. Horwitz said he is negotiating with the company that markets the fruit drink.
"Fans like him because he's quiet and an underdog," Horwitz said. "And he's the fastest to get to 10 homers as a Met ever. Combine success with New York and he is in demand."
At his first appearance arranged by Horwitz, fans overflowed a sports memorabilia store in New York called The Dugout. Agbayani autographed photos after a home game in June.
"They told me it was the biggest crowd they've had there since 'The Ultimate Warrior,' " Agbayani said. "It was kind of wild, but it was fun."
Agbayani's performance, however, isn't scripted as is the pro wrestler's.
After hitting .451 in his first 51 at bats (.552 at home), Agbayani's average is down to .316.
As long as he hits consistently and adds to his home run total, the endorsements should come his way. If he falters, perhaps not.
Agbayani said he isn't worried about such peripheral issues.
"That stuff's nice, and it's nice to be recognized, but I just want to keep showing that I can play at this level and help the team," he said. "The way my career has gone, I don't take anything for granted."
Agbayani, the Mets' 30th-round draft pick in 1993, was never considered a prime prospect. But he progressed steadily in the minors, and made his major-league debut last season.
After going 2-for-15 for the Mets last year, he thought he might be done with pro baseball or try it in Japan. But Agbayani, 27, gave it one more shot this spring with Triple-A Norfolk. When injuries hit the New York outfield in May, he got another chance in The Big Apple.
"When you spend a long time in the minors you're humbled," said Horwitz, who has represented Agbayani for several years. "He's quiet and laid back and he wants to stay that way. We're going to book him for a few more things during the season, but not too much."
The Beverly Hills Sports Council represents nearly 70 major league baseball players. Other clients include Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Barry Bonds.
The agency has a history of clients from Hawaii, including Mike Fetters, Keith Luuloa, Mike DeKneef, Joey Meyer and Joey Vierra.
Mets 7, Braves 6
Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Weiss ss 5 0 0 0 0 0 .246 BBoone 2b 5 2 2 2 0 2 .252 CJones 3b 4 2 2 1 1 1 .299 BJordan rf 5 1 1 0 0 2 .296 Klesko lf 1 0 0 1 2 0 .296 BHunter 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256 AJones cf 3 0 0 0 1 1 .266 Simon 1b 3 1 2 2 0 0 .342 b-GWilliams ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 .264 EPerez c 3 0 1 0 0 1 .236 Smoltz p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .324 Remlinger p 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- c-ONixon ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .175 McGlinchy p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 33 6 8 6 4 9 New York AB R H BI BB SO Avg. Henderson lf 4 2 2 0 0 2 .292 Alfonzo 2b 3 2 2 4 1 0 .300 Olerud 1b 4 1 2 0 0 0 .310 Piazza c 4 0 1 2 0 1 .302 Ventura 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 .283 AGBAYANI rf 4 0 1 1 0 1 .316 Cedeno cf 3 0 1 0 0 0 .329 Cook p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 d-MFranco ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .257 Benitez p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 ROrdonez ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 .292 Hershiser p 1 0 0 0 0 1 .129 Mahomes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286 a-Mora ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Beltran p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 McMichael p 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- McRae cf 0 1 0 0 2 0 .236 Totals 31 7 11 7 4 8 Atlanta 204 000 000--6 8 0 New York 310 000 30x--7 11 0a-struck out for Mahomes in the 4th. b-fouled out for Simon in the 7th. c-struck out for Remlinger in the 8th. d-walked for Cook in the 8th.LOB--Atlanta 7, New York 6. 2B--Simon (10), Alfonzo (20), ROrdonez (15). HR--Alfonzo (12) off Smoltz; Simon (2) off Hershiser; CJones (17) off Hershiser; BBoone 2 (10) off Hershiser 2. RBIs--BBoone 2 (31), CJones (50), Klesko (43), Simon 2 (10), Alfonzo 4 (53), Piazza 2 (47), Agbayani (21). SB--CJones (10). CS--Cedeno (8). S--Smoltz, Henderson, Ventura. SF--Klesko. GIDP--Cedeno.
Runners left in scoring position--Atlanta 4 (Weiss 2, GWilliams 2); New York 4 (Henderson 2, Olerud, Cedeno).
Runners moved up--Smoltz, Agbayani, ROrdonez.
DP--Atlanta 1 (BBoone, Weiss and Simon).
Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Smoltz L, 8-3 6 1/3 10 7 7 2 5 105 3.49 Remlinger 2/3 1 0 0 0 1 15 1.45 McGlinchy 1 0 0 0 2 2 15 3.27 New York IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA Hershiser 2 2/3 6 6 6 2 1 52 4.97 Mahomes 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 17 4.18 Beltran 2 1 0 0 0 0 24 3.00 McMichael 2/3 1 0 0 2 2 20 6.55 Cook W, 7-1 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2 15 2.13 Benitez S, 4 1 0 0 0 0 3 14 1.47Inherited runners-scored--Cook 3-0, Mahomes 1-0.IBB--off McGlinchy (McRae) 1, off McMichael (AJones) 1, off McMichael (Klesko) 1. HBP--by Hershiser (EPerez). WP--McMichael.
T--2:59. A--32,699 (55,777).
