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Ruben Sierra is
a changed man -- and the New York Yankees are reaping the rewards.
Sierra will look to continue his torrid hitting when the surging Yankees meet
the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game series at Network Associates
Coliseum.
Sierra, who has played for eight teams since breaking in with the Texas Rangers in 1986, was with the Yankees in the second half of 1995, but wore out his welcome with manager Joe Torre over issues with playing time and was eventually traded at the '96 deadline for Cecil Fielder.
The Yankees went on to win their first World Series title since 1978 that year, and four in the next five years.
Once called the ``village idiot'' by St. Louis manager Tony La Russa when both were in Oakland -- an obvious reference to the outfielder's surly demeanor -- Sierra has mellowed in recent years.
Since rejoining the Yankees early last season, he has adapted to his role as
a bench player and pinch-hitter.
``Since his return, he's been a model citizen for me,'' Torre said. ``He's there when we need him, whether he's going to play or pinch-hit. He knows what he's doing.''
On Monday, Sierra was named AL player of the week after spearheading New York's back-to-back three-game sweeps of Oakland and Kansas City.
Sierra batted .467 (7-for-15) with two home runs and three doubles in six games, leading the league with 11 RBIs. Sierra also led all qualifiers with a 1.067 slugging percentage last week, and posted a .500 on-base percentage.
However, Sierra didn't simply put up numbers, he made his hits count when the Yankees needed them the most.
Tuesday night, Sierra's pinch-hit, two-run double highlighted the Yankees' six-run eighth inning in a 10-8 comeback victory over Oakland. The win snapped the Yankees' four-game losing skid, sparking their current winning streak in the process.
On Saturday, Sierra equaled his career highs with two home runs and seven RBIs in New York's 12-4 win over Kansas City, as he drilled a three-run homer and his seventh career grand slam.
``I've been feeling good since last week. I've been hitting the ball hard,'' Sierra said. ``Right now it looks like everybody is coming around. It's a good sign.''
While the Yankees
appear to have put their rough start behind them, the A's have been treading
water all season. Oakland has lost seven of its last nine games, including a
three-game sweep at New York.
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