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Monday, August 14, 2000

Luuloa breaks
his wrist

The season comes
to a halt for the Iowa Cubs'
ballplayer from Molokai

---

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Keith Luuloa was just getting comfortable with his new team, the Pacific Coast League's Iowa Cubs, and was hitting the ball well when his season abruptly ended.

Four games after being traded by the Anaheim Angels to the Chicago Cubs, Luuloa's left wrist was broken on a strange play.

"I was at first base. There was a sharp grounder hit to the shortstop side of second,"said Luuloa, a Molokai High School graduate.

"It was hit so hard I wasn't even thinking of breaking up the double play. Islid early, didn't even reach the base.

"In the Angels organization, you are taught to slide with your hands up. Well, the shortstop came down low with the throw and threw the ball right into my wrist.

"I wasn't sure what had happened, but I had never felt that kind of pain before. I thought my whole hand was shattered."

In the emergency room, Luuloa learned the trapezoid bone, a small bone of the wrist near the base of the index finger, was fractured.

"The two doctors in ER told me they had never seen that bone broken before. They said it rarely breaks unless it is crushed," Luuloa said.

"I was really excited to be with another team. I knew they were going to give me a chance to get to the big leagues."

Iowa manager Dave Trembley used Luuloa at second base once and in the outfield three games.

He was hitting .375 and feeling rejuvenated.

"I was really upset at first, but inside Iwas just hurt because these guys were giving me a chance," Luuloa said.

"But, it was something I couldn't control and I felt I made a pretty good impression during those four days. I was happy there and I hope they are interested in signing me for next season."