Got this article form the Herald.

 

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...all/8223204.htm

 

 

MARLINS | ALEX GONZALEZ

 

 

Hitting rock bottom

 

Alex Gonzalez has two hits in 24 at-bats this spring, providing Florida hitting coach Bill Robinson with a new 'pet project.'

 

By CLARK SPENCER

 

cspencer@herald.com

 

 

VERO BEACH - The Marlins might have picked the wrong day to leave slumping Alex Gonzalez back in Jupiter.

 

Jeff Weaver was on the mound Thursday for the Los Angeles Dodgers -- the same Jeff Weaver who, as a New York Yankee, gave up Gonzalez's 12th-inning home run in Game 4 of the 2003 World Series.

 

''It's the shortest home run I ever hit, but it was the biggest one of my life,'' said Gonzalez, whose dramatic blast barely cleared the fence at Pro Player Stadium but squared the series at two games apiece.

 

Gonzalez hasn't homered since. In fact, he hasn't hit much of anything. But his .083 average this spring -- the product of two hits in 24 at-bats -- isn't causing the Marlins great alarm.

 

Still, it's enough of a concern that hitting coach Bill Robinson has been instructed by manager Jack McKeon to remain behind in Jupiter on Saturday to work exclusively with Gonzalez while the rest of the team is in Viera facing the Montreal Expos.

 

''You're not concerned, but you are concerned,'' Robinson said of Gonzalez's hitting woes. ``He's probably my pet project now.''

 

Gonzalez struck out in each of his three at-bats Wednesday night against the Dodgers.

 

`STREAK HITTER'

 

It isn't that the Marlins count heavily on Gonzalez for his bat, not as the eighth hitter in the lineup. They depend on him for his glove and graceful play in the field.

 

But they believe he can be a better hitter -- if not a more consistent one.

 

''He is a streak hitter,'' Robinson said.

 

Gonzalez was fast out of the gate last season, hitting .352 in April and .310 in May. He had a dozen home runs by the All-Star break.

 

But his numbers shriveled in the second half, when he hit .220 in July, .149 in August and .238 in September. He hit just six homers in the second half.

 

It was a pattern similar to the one he displayed as a rookie in 1999, when a hot start landed him on the National League All-Star team. But he tailed off in the second half and finished with a .277 average, still his career best.

 

'We've told him, `You don't want to be the out on this ballclub. Let the pitcher be the out,' '' Robinson said.

 

KEEPING HIS HEAD UP

 

Gonzalez has tried to remain upbeat.

 

''It's the first time I've had a tough spring training,'' Gonzalez said. ``I feel good, and I'm seeing the ball good. But I'm not keeping my head on the ball.''

 

Gonzalez figures he will never be a consistent .300 hitter but believes he can hit in the .275-to-.290 range.

 

Though Gonzalez's spring slump is severe, Robinson said it might not affect the shortstop like it would have in years past.

 

''Three years ago, I don't think he could handle this,'' Robinson said. ``I think he's grown up as a player, as a person and as a hitter. Before, it would affect his defense, but his defense hasn't suffered at all.''

 

Gonzalez made 16 errors last season, 10 fewer than in 2001 -- his last full season before 2003. (He missed most of the 2002 season with a dislocated shoulder).

 

''It's part of the game,'' Gonzalez said of his struggles. ``Sometimes you're on fire for two or three months, and then you go a month and you're not so good. This is spring training, and spring training's for that. There's plenty of time to get ready for the season.''

Sea Bass was a big part for us making the playoffs. He, Lowell, JP, Luis, and pitching carried us for a big chunk of the first half