Bucs' Sanchez NL batting king

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He became the Pirates' first batting champion in 23 years.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — For a moment, Freddy Sanchez's unlikely pursuit of the National League batting title got to him for the first time all season. He felt stressed out and nervous, and began swinging at anything to try for a hit.

Sanchez shook off his self-imposed pressure to get two hits and become the Pirates' first batting champion in 23 years, helping Pittsburgh to a 1-0 victory Sunday over Cincinnati that was decided by Xavier Nady's third hit of the game.

Sanchez was a 28-year-old utility infielder beginning his second full season in the majors, yet he hit .344 — the Pirates' highest average since Roberto Clemente's .345 in 1969. Sanchez's 200 hits were the second-most by a Pirates player, to Jack Wilson's 201 in 2004, since Dave Parker had 215 in 1978.

"It hasn't sunk in yet, but it's something special," said Sanchez, who beat out Florida's Miguel Cabrera by five points. "There's a lot of relief, excitement and joy."

Teammates, fans celebrate

After the game ended, Sanchez stayed on the field and waved his cap to the crowd, and his teammates crowded around for a ceremony to pay tribute to his season. Many in the crowd of 25,004 stayed to chant his name and display black-and-gold "Go, Freddy, Go" signs that were handed out all weekend by the Pirates.

Sanchez went 0-for-4 Saturday night, keeping Cabrera in the race. Sanchez was determined to be more relaxed Sunday and he was, getting hits in each of his first two at-bats. Cabrera was pulled after going 0-for-2 when it became obvious he couldn't catch Sanchez.

"After I got the first hit, it took a load off," Sanchez said. "Last night was the worst feeling. I was so nervous and felt so much pressure. I kind of forced myself to try to get a hit and, and that's not me."

Nady's go-ahead hit in the eighth followed two-out singles by Jason Bay and Ryan Doumit against Todd Coffey (6-7).

Blanked in last two games

The Reds were shut out in their final two games of the season after being eliminated from NL Central contention and finished 80-82, their best record since 2000 but their sixth consecutive losing season.

"It hurts, but not as much as not being in the postseason," manager Jerry Narron said of finishing below .500. "St. Louis winning yesterday definitely took a lot out of us. But these guys battled all year and gave us a chance in the last weekend of the season to get into the postseason."

The Pirates' 67-95 record was identical to that of last season, even though they had a winning record (37-35) after the All-Star break for the first time since 1992.

"Next year, we need to put two good halves together," general manager Dave Littlefield said.

Or a couple of halves at a consistency level like Sanchez's; he hit .300 or better in every month of the season.

Sanchez's title was all the more unlikely because of what he endured to get to the majors. He was born with a deformed foot that needed surgery when he was 1, and some doctors felt he might not walk, much less run.

But not only did he reach the majors, he became the Pirates' 25th NL batting champion, the most of any club.

Tracy lauds Sanchez

"He is a tremendous overachiever," manager Jim Tracy said.

Sanchez's title probably meant more to the Pirates than it would have to most other clubs because they have gone so long without a winning season — 14 years, two short of the major league record. Sanchez's title also illustrates one reason why the Pirates have flopped for so long: their often curious personnel decisions.

Even after Sanchez hit .291 last year, the Pirates felt he didn't hit enough for power. So they signed Joe Randa to a $4 million contract to play third and moved Sanchez into a utility role. But Sanchez hit so well early in the season that he forced them to make him an everyday player, and he began starting regularly May 2.

Monday, October 2, 2006