Lee, Krivda Relish Golden Opportunities With Yankees, Cards
By John E. Sacco & Marissa N. Scarvel

David Lee and Rick Krivda have reached a crossroads in their baseball lives.

Their performances this spring will go a long way toward defining their professional pitching careers.

Lee's year got off to a good start with a Jan. 3 phone call from Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd informing Lee, of Jefferson Hills, he had been traded to the three-time defending World Series champion New York Yankees.

Krivda, of McKeesport, who was part of the United States' gold-medal winning Olympic baseball team last fall, is getting his opportunity with the highly regarded St. Louis Cardinals.

Both western Pennsylvania natives understand their opportunities for success individually and team-wise may never be greater.

Lee, a Langley High School graduate, is hoping the trade will continue his positive swing, which it can if he is able to earn a spot in the Yankees depleted bullpen.

"I was thrilled when I got the call from (O'Dowd)," the righthander said. "It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I've gone from a middle-of-the-pack team to the best team in baseball. I couldn't be any more excited."

Krivda, a lefty, signed with the Cardinals as a free agent. He will bid to become a middle reliever. His chances may have diminished significantly when St. Louis acquired left-handed reliever Steve Kline from Montreal along with starter Dustin Hermanson in a trade for third baseman Fernando Tatis.

But Krivda, a McKeesport High graduate, is not about to give-in. He continues to believe the Cardinals offered him his best opportunity.

"It was between St. Louis and Tampa Bay," said Krivda, a former California University of Pa. standout. "I just felt St. Louis was a little more interested in dealing with my agent. There were good people all around to deal with.

"St. Louis typically brings 21 to 26 pitchers to spring training while Tampa Bay usually takes close to 40. I need to make an impression and with more than 30 pitchers in camp, it would be hard getting the work."

Krivda, 31, last pitched in the majors in 1998 with Cincinnati and Cleveland. Last year, he went to spring training with Baltimore. He made his big-league debut with the Orioles in 1995 and pitched parts of that season and the next two with the Orioles.

"You feel like you can do more," Krivda said. "I'm at the point where I watch a game, see some players do the same things at the Triple-A level. Some get to the majors. Some of it is just lack of opportunity. I'm a control pitcher. Control pitchers need to pitch. I've had the misfortune of pitching in organizations that haven't afforded me the opportunity to pitch regularly."

Lee's chances seem much better than Krivda's this spring.

Lee pitched just 5 2/3 innings for the Rockies last season with an 11.12 ERA. He spent much of the year in Colorado's minor league system, posting a 2-3 record with 12 saves and a 5.96 ERA in 47 games.

The trade to New York has rejuvenated Lee, who debuted in the majors in May, 1999, when former Pirates manager Jim Leyland was the Rockies skipper.

If 1999, when he jumped from Class AA to the majors was a dream come true, last season was a nightmare. Lee said he never had a fair chance to prove his abilities once, following a poor start, he got an early season demotion to Colorado's Class AAA Colorado Springs affiliate. The team was close to making a trade when Lee broke his ankle.

"I pitched well in spring training and I won the closer job," Lee said of his time with the Rockies. "But they had to make some roster moves and I was the only pitcher on the team with options. Everyone else had guaranteed contracts. I know I can pitch. I just have to get an opportunity."

Lee believes he will get that opportunity with the reigning world champions, who are looking for a setup man. Jeff Nelson, one of New York's best middle-relievers last season, is now a Seattle Mariner, leaving the door open to competition.

With two spots open, Lee believes he'll find a home if he can stay healthy.

"If I get a fair shot and I'm healthy then I'll make the team," he said. "I know I can pitch and now I'll have an opportunity to show it."

Most pitchers like leaving Colorado's high altitude, which tends to inflate the ERA. Lee liked the challenge of pitching in Coors Field but said the best part of playing for the Rockies was the chance to play under Leyland.

"I grew up watching the Pirates," said Lee, who also starred at Mercyhurst College. "Playing for Jim Leyland was a big thrill for me. Still, it's also a big thrill to see your name in the Yankee locker room."

Lee maintains Pittsburgh roots, residing in Jefferson Hills with wife Traci and their 10-month-old son, David Ryan. He worked out at the University of Pittsburgh in the off-season with Panthers assistant Joel Dombkowski. Pitt coach Joe Jordano and Dombkowski were Lee's coaches at Mercyhurst.

Lee, who will turn 28 during spring training, said this is a pivotal season in his career.

"This is it," he said. "If I stay healthy and pitch the best that I can and it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen. The Yankees were interested in me and my abilities and they have some needs. I like my chances."

Krivda feels the same way, even though the competition he is facing is much greater than he expected. In addition to Kline, the Cardinals have former Pirate Jason Christiansen as a left-handed setup man and a host of others with big-league experience in spring training.

Krivda also can start, and that versatility may be a factor in his favor.

"That's how the game is," Krivda said. "Nobody can have enough pitching.

"This is big. It's definitely big. If I can, right from the get-go, put a couple outings together, I could have a chance. I just need to throw strikes and throw a variety of pitches and hopefully the results will be good. I'm not the best at everything. But I'm a little better than average at a lot of things."

Krivda also will attempt to ride the momentum that comes with being part of the Olympic team that shocked Cuba and the world by winning the gold last fall in Sydney, Australia.

"The Olympics gave me the chance to put my name on something that will never be taken away from me," Krivda said. "Being the first group of professional athletes in baseball to win a gold medal, having a former big-league manager (Tommy Lasorda) and big league coaches will always be remembered.

"It got my name back out there and gave me a chance to continue my career."