Notebook: Former slugger Kiner will be honored at home-opener

CINCINNATI -- He entered the Hall of Fame in 1975 and his number was retired in 1987. On Monday, the Pirates will honor Ralph Kiner by unveiling a sculpture in his honor prior to their home opener at PNC Park.

For years, the Pirates resisted overtures to pay tribute to Kiner, who spent seven of his 10 major-league seasons in Pittsburgh. The sculpture will be located on the concourse beyond center field.

One of the top sluggers of his era, Kiner owned or shared the National League home run title in each of his seven full seasons with the Pirates. He hit a club record 54 homers in 1949 and had 369 in his 10 seasons.

Kiner also will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The national anthem will be sung by Megan Hilty, a musical theater major at Carnegie Mellon University. Hilty has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with pregame ceremonies beginning at approximately 5:20 p.m. First pitch for the game against the Milwaukee Brewers is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

All fans will receive a 2003 magnetic schedule. A fireworks display will be held after the game.

SEVENTH, EIGHTH SWITCH

Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon made good on his idea of flip-flopping Pokey Reese and Jack Wilson in his batting order. Reese, who missed the final three spring training games with a sore left ankle, batted seventh for the opener, with Wilson occupying the eighth spot.

"I did it for a number of reasons, but the most important is Pokey's speed on the base paths," he said. "It also should give Jack an opportunity to see more fastballs and give Pokey an opportunity to run a little bit more."

Wilson wasn't thrilled with the change. A career .212 hitter in 165 at-bats out of the eighth spot, he was looking forward to batting seventh.

"It's a big difference and a whole different approach," Wilson said. "It will be tough and a challenge for me. I won't get as many pitches to hit and hardly any RBI chances at all. I'll have to be more patient, and that's been hard for me in the past because I've been an aggressive hitter."

The change will remain in place as long as the bottom third of the lineup produces runs.

"If it doesn't work, we can make adjustments," McClendon said.

SAUERBECK SOUR ON NEW PARK

Cincinnati native Scott Sauerbeck compared his first glimpse of Great American Ball Park to a child not getting all the gifts he wanted on Christmas.

"My hopes were so high, but I was immensely disappointed," Sauerbeck said.

Sauerbeck said the Reds' new $290 million home is an upgrade over Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field. But he expected a more intimate atmosphere. The three-tiered park seats 42,263, but doesn't have the view or the amenities of the Pirates' three-year-old home.

"It makes me really appreciate what we have at PNC," he said. "I think they tried to do it, but it didn't come out. ... There's no warmth or charm to it like our place has. It's still a nice place, but I was expecting more."

Sauerbeck was hoping to pitch in the game, but with the Pirates winning in lopsided fashion, his services weren't needed.

"I'm not upset about that," he said. "It wasn't meant to be. I'll get in there one of these games."

GOING GLOBAL

The game was broadcast overseas on the Armed Forces Network as part of a partnership with Major League Baseball. The troops overseas will be able to watch or listen to approximately 8-10 games per week.

Thoughts were on the troops fighting the war in Iraq.

"It's hard not to think about it when you see it on TV every day," McClendon said. "It puts what we do in perspective. Hopefully by performing, we can bring some joy to the troops over there and keep a sense of normalcy about what's happening here in the states. We have the ability to reach out and heal and make people feel good."

Former President George Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch and lobbed a strike to Reds shortstop Barry Larkin. Bush, the 41st president, was filling in for his son, who was unable to attend because of the war situation.

A military flyover was canceled because the aircrafts were needed for active duty overseas.

READY TO GO

Kip Wells remains on track to start Wednesday night. Wells was bothered by a blister on his right middle finger during his final spring training start last Friday. Wells through on the side before Monday's game and reported no problems with his finger.

Fourth and fifth starters Jeff Suppan and Jeff D'Amico have their final spring starts rained out Sunday in Bradenton, Fla. They were supposed to pitch in minor-league exhibition games, but the rain forced them indoors, and they threw between 90-95 pitches off the practice mound.

ONE MORE ON BOARD

The Pirates have added Manny Mejia to the staff as a bullpen catcher. Mejia, 23, spent six seasons in the Pirates' farm system as a catcher, playing last season at short-season Williamsport and Class A Lynchburg.

Mejia will travel with the team the entire season.