Baseball Doesn't Compare to Real Life Drama

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Denver -- Understandably, the starting left side of the National League infield seemed distracted on Monday, seemed less than fully engaged in festivities on the eve of the All-Star Game. Walt Weiss, the shortstop, had a dazed look on his face. Chipper Jones, the third baseman, had a weary tone in his voice.

All around them in the clubhouse, their fellow All-Stars were on top of the world, laughing, smiling, chatting about nothing more significant than whether that big guy over there -- Mark McGwire -- might hit 62 homers this summer. Weiss and Jones weren't ready to join the party.

Oh, the Braves teammates are thankful to be here -- Weiss as an All-Star for the first time in an 11-year career ("I had given up on ever making it") and Jones as a starter for the first time in three All-Star appearances. But they're spent, emotionally, mentally, from the recent traumas in their families' lives.

Before coming to Coors Field Monday afternoon, Weiss -- a former Colorado Rockie -- had taken his 3-year-old son to the family's Denver pediatrician. "Brody's petrified of doctors right now, afraid he'll get poked again," Weiss said. "So the doctor said, `He's looking fine. Let's wait until later in the week for more blood work.' " The kid has won the battle against E. coli, but he remains weak and will be checked twice a week for several months.

"He's a reminder every day now of what's important," said Weiss, occupying his old locker in the clubhouse. "What he's been through . . . trivializes the game." And then the consummate professional ballplayer sought, unnecessarily, to clarify: "Not to say the game is trivial. It is not trivial. It's important to me, being my first All-Star Game and, who knows, maybe my last. When I'm on the field, my obligation is to my team. But when you've dealt with life and death, it gives the game a new spin."

And then he told of Brody's reaction when it was explained to him what made him sick: "He was almost apologetic for swallowing the pool water. We told him, `No, no, it's not your fault.' "

Jones knows his recent trauma doesn't compare to Weiss', but that makes it no less real. The ravaging wildfires in Florida were approaching his parents' and grandparents' houses, which sit side-by-side; the family's cherished belongings, including the framed jersey that Jones wore in the '95 World Series, had been removed. But the fire was stopped 200 yards from the houses, which are out of immediate danger.

"A few days ago," Jones said, "I was debating whether to even come out here; I was contemplating missing a couple of games of the Mets series [last weekend]. I wanted to go home. Not that there is anything I could do, but if my house was burning down, my family would need me. I know I had trouble focusing on the field, and I can't imagine going through what Walt did."

Come tonight's All-Star Game, both Weiss' son and Jones' parents will be at Coors Field. And, eyes brightening, Jones expressed hope that the night will prove therapeutic for both families. "Who knows?" he said. "Maybe something special will happen out there."

By Tim Tucker, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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