He also maintained that the left-handed Hill could "hit both left-handers and right-handers equally well".

"They were trying to show that Pags had trouble hitting left-handers."

"Reed hit left-handers better than right-handers all year," Piniella replied with some heat.

Justice has hit left-handers well through most of his career, but this year he is batting .214 with only 10 walks in 122 plate appearances.

"But the thing that made it tough was that Ventura hits left-handers so well," Cox said.

Valentine said all he wants is someone who hits left-handers well and who throws well from behind the plate.

The Cardinals hit right-handers better than they hit left-handers.

Mike Stanley, the next batter, hits left-handers well and was 2 for 13 in his career against the right-handed Nelson.

For some reason, I guess they didn't think he could hit left-handers.

One thing Chester always does is hit left-handers extremely well, .290 or .300.