Ward not enamored with repeating history
Daryle Ward doesn't like to discuss his personal goals, but he will tell you that one of them isn't depositing another home run into the Allegheny River.
Ward, the Pirates' 29-year-old first baseman, is the only person to reach the river on the fly in PNC Park's four-year history, doing it July 6, 2002, when he played for the Houston Astros. He has no grand illusions about repeating history.
"Back then, I was just swinging hard and I wasn't as smart about hitting as I am now," Ward said. "River shots are nice, especially being the first one to do it. But I can't say I'm going for it again. I'd rather not do it again
and get into those same bad habits."
Ward believes he has become a more disciplined hitter since joining the Pirates in mid-May. And he's determined to keep that approach, despite the significant time he has missed because of injury.
Ward sat out 45 games from June 26 to Aug. 15 while recovering from a sprained ligament in his right thumb and a strained muscle in his right side. Since his return, he has batted .273 with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and nine RBI in nine games. In his most recent start, Ward went 3 for 4 with a double, homer and two RBI.
Despite being limited to 50 games, Ward is fourth on the team with 12 homers and tied for sixth with 42 RBI. Unlike last winter, when he was out of work, Ward figures to make a seven-figure salary through salary arbitration.
Ward insists he's not going to use the final 35 games to make up for lost time.
"I can't do anything about that," he said. "I've got to go with what I'm given and make the best of it. I can't worry about the time I'm not going to get. If you complain, it's not going to change the situation at all."
One of Ward's goals for the final six weeks is to remain healthy. He also has some numeric targets in mind, but he's not sharing.
"I don't discuss personal goals too much," he said. "I don't want to say something and then have it affect other people and how they think of me. But I can say I set higher goals than the normal person. I just keep it to myself."
