Brody Weiss, age 3, sits with his mother Terri before Tuesday's All-Star Game in Denver. His father, Atlanta shortstop Walt Weiss, started for the National League. ED ANDRIESKIASSOCIATED PRESS

Weiss' All-Star start second to son's visit

Web posted July 8, 1998

Associated Press

DENVER -- Two weeks ago, as he lay near death in a hospital, it would have been unthinkable. But there in the stands at Coors Field on Tuesday night was Brody Weiss, 3-year-old son of Atlanta shortstop Walt Weiss.

Brody, sitting with his mother, Terri, was there to watch his father play in the 69th All-Star game, the first time in Weiss' 11-year major-league career that he has been named to play in the midsummer classic.

Brody continued to make progress toward what doctors believe will be a full recovery from a life-threatening strain of E. coli bacteria, which he contracted from contaminated water at an Atlanta water park.

His kidneys shut down and he was on dialysis, and he appeared headed for a coma, which was the fate of two other children who were playing at the park that day.

After four sleepless, unbearable nights, the Weisses learned their son would recover. And instead of spending at least a month at Atlanta's Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, Brody was released in about 10 days.

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In that context, the All-Star game takes on diminished significance in Weiss' eyes.

``Is there a game tonight?'' Weiss said Tuesday dressing for batting practice. ``The game has been the last thing on my mind. I haven't even thought about the game. Sure, it's a special game, but I look at it with a different perspective.''

Asked if it would be difficult to concentrate in the game, Weiss said, ``Yeah, probably. You just go out there and instinctively play baseball. You try to react and rely on your instincts.''

Asked if his son understood the significance of the game, Weiss said, ``I don't think he really grasps what is going on. He's pretty young.''

Doctors were concerned about Brody's exposure to bacteria while flying on a commercial jet from Atlanta to Denver, so Colorado owner Jerry McMorris offered the Weiss family the use of his private jet to make the trip easier. Weiss played for the Rockies from 1994-97.

Doctors apparently have no qualms about letting Brody attend the game.

``He's doing well, he's getting better and better,'' Weiss said. ``We just have to watch his energy level. He gets tired real quick. I don't know if he'll stay for the whole game. Once he starts to get tired, we'll probably take him home.''

Although saying he didn't know exactly where his wife and son would be sitting, Weiss said, ``I'll look for him in the stands.''

WORN OUT:

The day after winning the Home Run Derby, Ken Griffey Jr. sat at his locker in a T-shirt featuring a large bulls-eye. It read, ``Hit It Here Junior.''

``I'm tired,'' Griffey said. But his fatigue didn't stem from the derby that took more than two hours to complete.

He had writer's cramp.

Griffey, by his estimation, signed more than 600 baseballs Tuesday as part of the All-Star routine.

``Let's see you go sign all the balls down there,'' Griffey said.

Griffey's initial reluctance to competing in Monday night's Home Run Derby stemmed from how tired he might be because the Mariners travel more than any team in the majors.

Asked if he would like to see the derby shortened, Griffey said he didn't care. ``It's up to whoever,'' Griffey said. ``I just went out there and did the best I could.''

TRAVELING MAN:

New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who played for three teams in a span of one week, on Tuesday deflected questions about what team he might be playing for next season.

``I won't worry about that now,'' said Piazza, who will be a free agent after the season. ``I'm totally indifferent and don't want to deal with it. Everything will be taken care of. I enjoy playing here (in Denver), but that isn't an issue right now. I have to contribute to what we are trying to do with the Mets.''

Asked about the return of Mets catcher Todd Hundley from an injury, Piazza said, ``He's a catcher, I'm a catcher. I'll do whatever I am asked to do. Having Todd back can't hurt our club. He's a good hitter.''