Dave Leiper

Pitcher Dave Leiper of the Oakland Athletics, who suffered a mild heart attack in 1988, was hospitalized early this week after experiencing what Oakland Athletic officials described as "a flutter" in his chest.

The Philadelphia Phillies requested waivers on outfielder Mark Whiten and relief pitcher Dave Leiper for the purpose of giving both players their unconditional release. They also placed infielder Kevin Jordan on the 15-day disabled list. Whiten, 29, hit .236 in 60 games with seven home runs and 21 RBI. Leiper, a 34-year-old left-hander, was 2-0 with a 6.43 ERA in 26 appearances. Jordan injured his left knee while chasing a pop fly in Sunday's 11-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Four years ago, Dave Leiper was lying in an operating room, his chest splayed open, his heart in the hands of a surgeon. These days, he stands on the mound, his healthy heart leaping, and slices into opposing hitters with another brand of skilled precision. Breaking ball low and away . . . fastball up and in . . . fastball on the outside corner breaking ball on the inside corner . . . Most batters never make it that far. They've usually flied out or hit a roller to second.

Pitcher Dave Leiper, who suffered a mild heart attack in 1988, was hospitalized early this week after experiencing what Oakland Athletics' officials described as "a flutter" in his chest. "It brings up the same issues as Hank Gathers at Loyola Marymount," said a concerned Sandy Alderson, general manager of the A's, referring to the college basketball star who died two weeks ago after his heart gave out during a game. Leiper spent Monday night in a Scottsdale hospital and was released on Tuesday.

The Philadelphia Phillies requested waivers on outfielder Mark Whiten and relief pitcher Dave Leiper for the purpose of giving both players their unconditional release. They also placed infielder Kevin Jordan on the 15-day disabled list. Whiten, 29, hit .236 in 60 games with seven home runs and 21 RBI. Leiper, a 34-year-old left-hander, was 2-0 with a 6.43 ERA in 26 appearances. Jordan injured his left knee while chasing a pop fly in Sunday's 11-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Dave Leiper, the left-handed Padre reliever who watched his best friend, Mark Davis, leave the Padres two weeks ago for Kansas City, will also be packing his bags. Leiper was not tendered a contract by the Padres, Jack McKeon, manager and vice president/baseball operations said Tuesday, making him a free agent. Leiper, 27, has been with the Padres since Aug. 31, 1987, when he and first baseman Rob Nelson were acquired from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for starting pitcher Storm Davis.

Four years ago, Dave Leiper was lying in an operating room, his chest splayed open, his heart in the hands of a surgeon. These days, he stands on the mound, his healthy heart leaping, and slices into opposing hitters with another brand of skilled precision. Breaking ball low and away . . . fastball up and in . . . fastball on the outside corner breaking ball on the inside corner . . . Most batters never make it that far. They've usually flied out or hit a roller to second.

By the time Will Clark stepped up to bat Wednesday afternoon in the ninth inning with two out, the bases loaded and the Giants trailing, 7-5, Padre pitcher Dave Leiper was sitting in the dugout, helpless. An inning earlier, Leiper had gotten Clark to line out to shortstop Dickie Thon, the only at-bat all afternoon in which Clark didn't get a hit.

When it's the 16th inning and you're nearly out of players and energy and patience, sometimes this is what it takes to win a baseball game: a relief pitcher. In his first big-league plate appearance. Using the bat of a player who had not had a base hit in the previous four hours. Wednesday night, it took Dave Leiper, who was fairly sure he wouldn't touch the ball, swinging hard into the night and blooping a single to right field.

Pitcher Dave Leiper of the Oakland Athletics, who suffered a mild heart attack in 1988, was hospitalized early this week after experiencing what Oakland Athletic officials described as "a flutter" in his chest.

Pitcher Dave Leiper, who suffered a mild heart attack in 1988, was hospitalized early this week after experiencing what Oakland Athletics' officials described as "a flutter" in his chest. "It brings up the same issues as Hank Gathers at Loyola Marymount," said a concerned Sandy Alderson, general manager of the A's, referring to the college basketball star who died two weeks ago after his heart gave out during a game. Leiper spent Monday night in a Scottsdale hospital and was released on Tuesday.

Dave Leiper, the left-handed Padre reliever who watched his best friend, Mark Davis, leave the Padres two weeks ago for Kansas City, will also be packing his bags. Leiper was not tendered a contract by the Padres, Jack McKeon, manager and vice president/baseball operations said Tuesday, making him a free agent. Leiper, 27, has been with the Padres since Aug. 31, 1987, when he and first baseman Rob Nelson were acquired from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for starting pitcher Storm Davis.

It was only the second inning Sunday when the Padre bullpen phone rang. Bullpen coach Denny Sommers picked it up, nodded to No. 52 sitting alongside him, and said, "It's you, babe." Dave Leiper felt every muscle in his body tighten. He tried to swallow, but his throat was too dry. Instead, he took a deep breath, just trying to calm himself.

When it's the 16th inning and you're nearly out of players and energy and patience, sometimes this is what it takes to win a baseball game: a relief pitcher. In his first big-league plate appearance. Using the bat of a player who had not had a base hit in the previous four hours. Wednesday night, it took Dave Leiper, who was fairly sure he wouldn't touch the ball, swinging hard into the night and blooping a single to right field.

It was only the second inning Sunday when the Padre bullpen phone rang. Bullpen coach Denny Sommers picked it up, nodded to No. 52 sitting alongside him, and said, "It's you, babe." Dave Leiper felt every muscle in his body tighten. He tried to swallow, but his throat was too dry. Instead, he took a deep breath, just trying to calm himself.

Cincinnati Red first baseman-outfielder Eric Anthony has a partially torn patellar tendon in his right leg and will be sidelined for about two weeks. The Reds already have first basemen Hal Morris and Brian Hunter on the disabled list because of torn hamstrings. Meanwhile, Red pitcher John Smiley, the league leader with a 9-1 record, was added to the league's All-Star roster Saturday as an injury replacement for Atlanta star Greg Maddux.

By the time Will Clark stepped up to bat Wednesday afternoon in the ninth inning with two out, the bases loaded and the Giants trailing, 7-5, Padre pitcher Dave Leiper was sitting in the dugout, helpless. An inning earlier, Leiper had gotten Clark to line out to shortstop Dickie Thon, the only at-bat all afternoon in which Clark didn't get a hit.