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Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Baltimore Oriole
Jay Spurgeon
flying high

The former Rainbow
has a successful major-
league debut

Choy Foo signs with Cleveland

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By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Jay Spurgeon's major-league debut with the Baltimore Orioles lasted just six pitches.

That's all the 6-foot-6 right-hander needed to retire the heavy-hitting Chicago White Sox in order in the eighth inning last night.

The White Sox were ahead, 14-4, when Spurgeon entered the game, yet it remained an intense situation for the former University of Hawaii Rainbow.

"There is always something on the line in your debut. People are watching," Spurgeon said. "You are trying to earn a job. You want to pitch well no matter what the score, 0-0 or 20-0."

Spurgeon retired the first batter, right-hander Herbert Perry, on one pitch on a pop to center field. Jeff Abbott had a 2-1 count when he hit an easy fly to center. And Chris Singleton picked on Spurgeon's first pitch and flew out to deep right.

Six pitches, three up, three down and the inning was over. Not bad for someone who was the starting right fielder as a freshman for UH six years ago.

Spurgeon wasn't sure how he would be used when the Orioles called him up Monday.

"I did know I would be in long relief or mop up just to get my feet wet," he said.

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Choy Foo signs
with Cleveland

The Indians' deal includes a
signing bonus, college money

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By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

It took some time, but Rodney Choy Foo and the Cleveland Indians finally reached an agreement on a contract.

The Indians brought Choy Foo, a Kailua High School graduate, to Sacramento, Calif., last weekend for a one-day workout. They liked what they saw and Choy Foo signed his contract on Monday, a deal that included a signing bonus and money for college.

"I can't believe it. I didn't think I was going to get anything," said Choy Foo, who was picked in the 26th round (786th overall) of the 2000 first-year player draft.

The Indians plan to use Choy Foo, a first-team, all-state Star-Bulletin shortstop, at second base. He has never played the position, but will start learning when he heads to Florida on Sept. 12 for two months of work in instructional league.