Page 10- The Michigan Daily -Wednesday, September 17, 1986 Red hot rookie: Former 'M' shortstop Larkin fulfills major league dream in Cincinnati By ADAM OCHLIS When the Cincinnati Reds called up Barry Larkin from Triple-A last month, apparently nobody gave him the"you're in the major leagues, now" talk. If someone did, Larkin forgot to listen. The former Michigan and 1984 Olympic team star has acted nothing like a rookie since being promoted from Denver of the American Association. In 110 at- bats, Larkin is hitting .290 with one home run, 12 runs batted in and seven steals. Playing every day, the 6-0, 200-pound shortstop has committed just three errors and made plays that Reds General Manager Bill Bergesch described as "Ozzie Smith-like." BUT IT IS not his success that surprises people. Rather, it is the speed with which he's achieved it. Larkin, the only two-time Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player, left Michigan as a first- round draft pick in 1984 to turn pro. He played last season in Vermont for the Reds' Double-A team and started this season in Denver. In more than 400 at-bats in Triple-A, he hit .329 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homers , 51 RBI's and 19 steals. He won the league's Most Valuable Player award and the Rookie-of-the- Year award, something only two other players have ever done. Bergesch said Cincinnati felt no choice but to bring Larkin up before the September 1 roster expansion date. "HIE'S DONE it all so well and so fast that I think it has surprised us a little, but it hasn't shocked us," said Bergesch. Larkin got an immediate chance to start when18-year veteran shortstop Dave Concepcion was injured and rookie backup Kurt Stillwell was hitting under .220. He's been in the lineup ever since. "I didn't have a time table," said Larkin. "I knew that if I kept playing like I was capable then I would be called up." LARKIN'S SUCCESS has caused the Reds to reorganize their infield situation. Concepcion will probably be asked to retire at the end of the year and Stillwell, the "shortstop of the future" back in April will have to make way for Larkin. "They're sending Stillwell to winter ball in Venezuela to learn how to play second base. Pete (Rose, the player-manager) told me I didn't need to learn how to play second base so you can take it from that," Larkin said. It is this confidence that also differentiates Larkin from other rookies. He has said that he wants to be the Reds shortstop for the next 10 to 12 years and has criticized the organization for thinking so highly of Stillwell. HE ADMITS, despite his success, that the big leagues are nothing like the minors. "The adjustment has been tough," he said. "I didn't have many expectations coming from Denver. I just tried to be consistent. "I've expected all along that I was going to get to the big leagues. I've got an agressive attitude and I want to prove to myself that I can play at this level." I've expected all along that I was going to get to the big leagues. I've got an aggressive attitude and I want to prove to myself that I can play at this level.' -Barry Larkin IT DIDN'T take long for Larkin to assert himself. In his major league debut against the San Diego Padres, Larkin drove a Lamaar Hoyt pitch into right field for a single. A native of Cincinnati, Larkin is fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing for the Reds. Daily Photo by DAN HABIB Reds' GM Bill Bergesch Barry Larkin's "Ozzie Smith-like" fielding hasJ beaming. QUESTION #1. IT HRGTCO OST COLLEGE STUDENT, FOR, I. a) AT&T-for everyday discounts of 40% to over 50% off weekday rates on out-of-state calls. b) Short bursts of intense study followed by hours of frantic partying. "It's definately a thrill," h said. "I still have butterflies a I'm still nervous before every game, but I think it's more relaxing for me playing in front of my friends and family. I want to do well for all the people who helped me when I was growing up. ONE PERSON Larkin credits for his success is Michigan baseball coach Bud Middaugh. "He's a great coach. He real' prepared me well. Playing in the majors is what he tells everyone they're worki'ng for. He laid down a foundation for me," said Larkin. The 19-year head coach refuses the acknowledgment, however. "We'd like to think that we helped him out a little," sai Middaugh. "But that's expected college coaches. I can't take that much credit.I wish I could." Middaugh, who ranks Larkin with Bill Doran, the All-Star second baseman for the Houston Astros as the best infielders he's ever coached, sees great things ahead. "He can be awful good and I think people are starting recognize that. He's approachi it very aggresively by saying tha't he wants to be the Reds shortstop and I think that's how you have to be just starting up," said Middaugh."But nothing Barry does surprises me." GRIDDE PICKS The masked individual kicked in the door of the building and leveled a gun at the unsuspecting sportswriter. "All right, where is it?" I want it NOW! The prize! The prize!" she screamed, unthinkingly ripping off her mask. "I KNEW before I came here that the dorm food was bad," s said, her face flushed. "But t other night in the Stockwell cafeteria, I accidentally ate what looked like. .. it's too horrible to say. . "Now, I MUST have the Griddes' prize," she yelled. "You've got my sympathy," said the sportswriter. "But in order to win a free pizza from Pizza Bob's, you've gotta win Griddes. All you have to do is pi the winners of this week's gam,. and the total points of the Michigan game. "Easy as slipping in a pile of. . well, you know," said the sportswrter. 1. Oregon State at MICHIGAN (pick total points) 2. Nebraska at Illinois 3. Navy at Indiana 4. Notre Dame at Michigan Sta 5. Minnesota at Oklahoma 6. Army at Northwestern 7. Colorado at Ohio State 8. Pitt at Purdue 9. Wisconsin at UNLV 10. Iowa at Northern Illinois IL Penn State at Boston College 12. North Carolina at Florida State 13. Alabama at Florida 14. BYU at Washington 15. Clemson at Georgia 16. USC at Baylor 17. SMUT at Arizona State 18. Maryland at West Virginia 19. Hope at DePauw 20. Jerry Mathers at DAILY LIBELS AP Top Twenty 1. Oklahoma1...............1-0-0 2. Miami, Fla..............3-0-0 3. MICHIGAN..............1-0-0 4. Alabama ................. 3-0-0 5. Penn State ...............1-0- 6. Nebraska ................1-"- 7. Washington..............1-0-0 8. Louisiana St.............1-0-0 9. Baylor .................. 2-0-0 10. Auburn.................1-0"0 11. Brigham Young ....... 2 12. Arkansas................ 10 13. Florida ..................1-0- 14. Georgia ..................1-0-0 15. Florida State ................1-1-0 16. Texas A&M................0-1-0 17. Arizona ........ ..... .....2-0-0 18. Arizona State .............1-0-0 19. UCLA....................0-1-0 20. 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