FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY

» June 4, 1990: The Braves wisely select Florida high school SS Chipper Jones with the first pick in the annual free-agent draft. The Tigers follow with Tony Clark and the Phils use the 3rd pick on Mike Lieberthal. The A's use their 14th choice to take the much sought after Todd Van Poppel, passed over because of his stated intention to pitch at the University of Texas. The A's change his mind and he signs on July 16th for $1.2 million. Picking 20th, the Orioles take Stanford's Mike Mussina. Late in the 6th round, the independent Class A Miami Miracle drafts Mike Lansing under a never-before-used rule. The rule will be abolished, but Lansing will play two years with the Miracle and make the majors with the Expos. Troy Percival (Angels) and Mike Hampton (Mariners) go in the 6th round, Rusty Greer (Rangers) in the 10th, and on the 12th round, the Twins take SS Pat Meares. The White Sox end up with the best draft, taking Alex Fernandez (1st round), Bob Wickman (2nd), Robert Ellis (3rd), James Baldwin (4th), Ray Durham (5th), Brandon Wilson (18th), and Jason Bere (36th). After selecting Carl Everett with the 10th overall pick, the Yanks pull two winners out of the low rounds: Andy Pettitte in the 20th round and Jorge Posada in the 24th.

» June 7, 1996: In the major-league's only scheduled doubleheader this season, Minnesota and Oakland split. Pat Meares' 2-run homer in the 5th of the lidlifter gives the Twins a 4–2 win. Oakland outslugs the Twins, 13–7, in the nitecap. John Wasdin (3–0) is helped by a George Williams grand slam in the 6-run 5th while Brent Gates, Geronimo Berroa, and Torey Lovullo also homer. All other twin bills this season are the result of makeup games.

» June 23, 1997: In Cleveland, Matt Lawton has four hits and Brad Radke wins his fourth straight start as the Twins top Cleveland. 7–2. Pat Meares has a two-run homer for the Twins. For Cleveland, Sandy Alomar extends his hitting streak to 22 games with a single and Jim Thome accounts for all the scoring with two solo homers.

» February 20, 1999: The Pirates sign free agent SS Pat Meares to a contract.

» May 9, 1999: The Pirates defeat the Cardinals, 12-9, as SS Pat Meares gets five hits, including a double. Brant Brown adds a 3-run inside-the-park homer.

» June 26, 1999: Shortstop Pat Meares of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on the disabled list recovering from surgery on his left hand, participates in a sausage race at Milwaukee's County Stadium. Meares, dressed as a 10-foot bratwurst, wins the race defeating a giant hot dog and a polish sausage. Two days ago, Meares was caught on videotape sunbathing in the upper deck of Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium for the first six innings of game.