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2002 season October 1, 2002
Peoria Javelinas third baseman Mark Teixeira (Rangers - 3B) cheerfully proclaimed that he and his AFL teammates were " ... just having some fun now!" He did more than have a little fun on the opening day of the 2002 Arizona Fall League season. The switch-hitter from Georgia Tech, who completed his first professional season just three weeks ago, had what is undoubtedly the best debut in the 11-year history of the league. Teixeira went five or five, with a pair of long homeruns, to lead the Javelinas to a 9-4 victory over the Phoenix Desert Dogs at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in one of two afternoon AFL games. "Obviously I felt great," commented Teixeira after the game. "It's nice to start out a new season with a good day. I haven't played in a few weeks ... it's good to get out there again." Teixeira began his hit parade against the Phoenix starting pitcher, southpaw Brad Thomas (Twins - P), with a sharp single to left field in the first inning, advancing to second base on a passed ball before Tagg Bozied (Padres - 1B) flew out to center field for the third out.
His next at bat came from the left side as right-hander Darvin Withers (Athletics - P) replaced Thomas in the third inning. Teixeira smacked a single to right field, and was retired at second base on a force play to the shortstop. With the Javelinas holding a 4-1 lead, Teixeira's next at bat came in the fifth inning against left-handed reliever Dan Neil (Indians - P). He led off the inning with the first homerun of the game, a powerful shot that easily cleared the fence in left center field. Teixeira faced still another Desert Dog reliever, right-hander Shane Bazzell (Athletics - P), in the sixth inning with two runners aboard. Switching over to the left side of the plate, he slammed his second blast of the day over the right field wall to give Peoria an insurmountable 8-1 lead. His final at bat came in the eighth inning with one out and no one on base. Teixeira hit a little bleeder towards second base. Adam Morrissey made a good effort on the play, but had a little trouble getting the ball out of his glove and Teixeira beat the throw for an infield hit. He was then retired at second when Bozied grounded into a double play, 5-4-3.
In addition to a perfect day offensively, Teixeira made a nice over the shoulder catch on a tough ball hit just behind the third base bag off the bat of Justin Morneau (Twins - 1B) in the first inning, and nearly threw out the speedy Johnny Peralta (Indians - 3B) in the third inning on a swinging bunt down the third base line. Teixeira was the fifth overall pick by the Rangers in the 2001 free agent draft, but signed too late in the year to play that season. An elbow injury early in 2002 limited his first minor league season to only 86 games, split between Class A Charlotte and AA Tulsa. Thus, Teixeira is looking to make up for lost time and improve his overall game in Arizona. "My main goal is to get better," answered Teixeira when asked his primary objective for playing in the Arizona Fall League. "I want to get better offensively and defensively, and hopefully be ready for the big leagues as quickly as possible." The Javelinas return to Phoenix for another 1:05 game tomorrow afternoon. --- Bill Mitchell All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
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