THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO, PART 9
"IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER"...
Don Baylor's walk-off grandslam
homer wins this one

April 17, 1986 ... There are a few moments that a good hitter savors above all others. Don Baylor experienced his first cherished accomplishment in a Red Sox uniform. Baylor's jubilant reaction to his 11th career grand slam was an indication to the Fenway Park crowd of 10,493 about the importance of his first game-winning hit for Boston. Its significance transcended the fact that it gave the Sox a 6-2 victory, their first Fenway triumph in three games this season.

When Baylor, a la Carlton Fisk in the 1975 World Series, raised his hands gleefully after his eighth-inning shot snapped a 2-2 tie, it was evident that the 17-year veteran had passed the test. One of the reasons the Red Sox had obtained him was his reputation for delivering with games on the line, and he came through as advertised.

Baylor's leadership qualities and drill sergeant approach are well documented. But what makes him even more valuable is his toughness under pressure. He didn't have to hit a home run off Steve Farr to beat the Royals. He could have been hit by Steve Farr instead. Baylor has been hit by pitches an American League record 192 times in his career, and Farr threw one ball that was so close to the designated hitter, a slight movement toward the mound would have done the job.

The situation was tailor-made for Baylor, who like a lot of his teammates has been frustrated by the Red Sox' inconsistency at the plate. Boston had five hits yesterday, all for extra bases. But the Sox were still tied after seven innings, and it appeared that another good pitching effort by Roger Clemens would not be enough.

But the opposition pitching fell apart for a change. Ironically, KC starter Mark Gubicza triggered the Royals' downfall by walking Evans with one out. The rally seemed to stall when Wade Boggs lined to left. But Bill Buckner followed with a booming double off the wall, ending Gubicza's day and setting the stage for Baylor's dramatics.

So Dick Howser brought in right-hander Farr, whose breaking ball has been known to fool right-handed batters. But when Rice didn't bite for any bad pitches, drawing a walk that loaded the bases, Farr had to face Baylor. If he were still with New York, chances are the veteran right-handed DH wouldn't have been used against right-handed pitching. But the Red Sox have no intention of platooning Baylor, another reason he appreciates the trade.

Farr was ahead on the count, 1-and-2, after dodging a bullet. Baylor smashed a low breaking ball to left but hooked it foul. Then he took the 1-2 pitch under his chin. He lofted the next pitch into the screen. Baylor, who is now third among active players in grand slams, maintained this was just one battle he won.

Before Baylor's home run, it appeared the Sox were in danger of wasting a second straight fine pitching effort, with Clemens the victim this time after Al Nipper's 1-0 loss Wednesday. But Clemens (2-0) took the blame for his predicament, citing what he called lackadaisical pitching when he should have been bearing down.

With Boston ahead, 2-0, in the sixth, he gave up a run on a one-out double to Rudy Law, a two-out walk to George Brett and Hal McRae's infield single, Law scoring on shortstop Ed Romero's throwing error. In the seventh, Steve Balboni, who was 1 for 14 against Clemens, hit his second homer in as many days, a first- pitch blast over the screen that tied the game.

Baylor's homer salvaged the afternoon, and the DH said that in the future, Red Sox pitchers shouldn't have to worry about lack of support.

Jerry Remy showed up to pitch batting practice and said he probably will take a coaching assignment in New Britain. Final details have to be worked out with Sox general manager Lou Gorman, but Remy probably will be available for 70 home games and won't travel. The Sox had a similar arrangement with Mike Roarke, now the pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, when he was at Pawtucket several years ago.

Roger Clemens' complete game was his first at Fenway Park since April 26, 1985, when he also beat the Royals. Clemens, who had seven strikeouts, said he may have seemed faster yesterday because he feels "more comfortable" in Fenway.

The Sox had five hits, four doubles and a home run. Don Baylor's grand slam tied him with Reggie Jackson for third place (11) among active players. Dave Kingman has 15 and Eddie Murray 12. Baylor has hit 18 career home runs at Fenway Park and 31 against the Royals, the most by any Kansas City opponent.

Glenn Hoffman, who had missed six games because of an ankle injury, filled in for Ed Romero in the ninth. He still is awaiting the birth of his first child; his wife is four days overdue.