NL West - Reds' Power Reaching for Heights

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[i:be8f18e613]originally printed: The Sporting News, February 10, 1986[/i:be8f18e613]

Ted Power is reaching for the heights after recording 27 saves and eight victories for the 1985 Cincinnati Reds.

"A 2.20 earned-run average... 40 to 45 saves," the 6-4, 225-pound righthander said, listing his goals for 1986. Power was undaunted when somebody told him that the major league record for saves is 45.

"It's realistic," Power said. "We came in second last year. If we come in first, why not? And I think we will. I had 27 saves last season and there was six-week period when I did nothing."

All this from a guy who three years ago thought his career was history. Los Angeles had dropped him from its 40-man roster and sent him to Albuquerque (Pacific Coast).

The Reds, though, drafted him for $25,000. "And you know what?" Power said. "It tickles me pink that I was 4-0 with two saves in seven appearances against the Dodgers last season."

Power is eager to display for a full season a pitch he discovered last August - a sinker that moves down and away from lefthanded hitters.

"I enjoyed that pitch more than anything," he said. "I hate to throw to lefthanders, so it was great to see 'em swing at it as hard as they can and hit weak ground balls to short. When I saw 'em doing that, it was like Clint Eastwood said, 'Go ahead, make my day.'"

Power, who made $225,000 last season, has filed for salary arbitration. He is asking $575,000, and the Reds are offering $425,000.

*****

Assistant publicity director Jon Braude will handle the public address duties at Riverfront Stadium this season, replacing Paul Sommerkamp, who retired after 34 seasons. . . . . The Reds signed free agent Derek Botelho, a righthander who pitched for the Cubs last season and gave up Pete Roses' last homer. Botelho was assigned to Denver (American Association).