Fisk Still Angry He Wasn’t Left Behind Plate

Carlton Fisk, one of the great catchers of his time, is mad. But unlike the character who wouldn’t “take it any more,” there isn’t much Fisk can do about it.

A 10-time American League All-Star, Fisk is back to catching almost every day for the Chicago White Sox but even that doesn’t temper his mood. He knows it is not by design but necessity.

“It’s not important to anybody what I think,” said the 39-year-old Fisk, tossing around his equipment with bitter resolve. “I was concerned two years ago but nobody else was concerned with me.

“The last couple of years have not been pleasant. What has happened is obvious.”

What happened was Fisk, as proud as a New Englander can be of his accomplishments as one of the game’s premier catchers, was turned into a left fielder by then Manager Tony LaRussa and former General Manager Ken Harrelson.

The reason given was that such a switch, which also included playing first base, would lengthen Fisk’s career.

Fisk thought otherwise, especially after coming off of one of his most productive seasons in 1985 when he reached career highs of 37 home runs and 107 runs batted.

Fisk didn’t hide his anger and there were those who thought his objections were self centered, that he was more concerned about extending his personal records as a catcher.

“I don’t play the game for records,” said Fisk, kicking off his street shoes with disgust. “I play the game because I like the game and I’m pretty good at what I do.

“I worked hard all my life to become one of the best, and I was considered one of the best, only to have it all thrown out the window without the slightest bit of consideration even after coming off one of the best offensive and defensive years as a catcher.”

Fisk wasn’t fooled with the excuse about lengthening his career. He knew the White Sox were trying to phase him out to make room for young Joel Skinner, who was considered a better catcher defensively because of Fisk’s advancing years.

It didn’t work. Skinner failed to live up to expecations and was traded to the New York Yankees in midseason. But the White Sox acquired another catcher in the deal, Ron Hassey, and had still another great defensive prospect in the minor leagues in Ron Karkovice.

By then LaRussa was gone and replaced by Jim Fregosi and when the 1986 season ended, Harrelson also was gone and was replaced by Larry Himes.

“A couple of guys with big ideas that backfired,” said Fisk in retrospect. “As far as I was concerned, it was totally an unsavory situation. I thought ’85 was a pretty good year for everybody.”

Still Fisk ended up doing much of the catching. But injuries and illness took their toll last year and Fisk’s numbers fell off drastically as he finished with 14 home runs and 63 RBI.

If he had any hopes things would change for the better, they were dashed this spring. Fregosi decided that Karkovice would be his catcher, backed mainly by Hassey.

Fisk? He was slated as a sometime designated hitter, a sometime first baseman and also a pinch hitter.

“I felt totally unappreciated,” said Fisk, “that nobody knew my value to the team and have that taken into consideration.”

Things have changed, but that doesn’t make Fisk, who won’t speculate about whether he’d rather play elsewhere, any happier.

“The only thing that has changed is they found out, again, that nobody else can catch,” said Fisk, refusing to gloat over t(e situation.

Hassey, whose had a career full of injuries, was on and off the disabled list with a variety of injuries. And Karkovice, a fine defensive catcher with a cannon for an arm, was batting a horrendous .065.

“I was supposed to be a part-time DH and a pinch hitter,” said Fisk, “but Hassey and Karkovice aren’t doing what was expected of them.

“I’m not catching because I’m a 10-time All-Star or that I’ve had 15 years of experience or that anybody appreciates what I’ve done behind the plate,” said Fisk. “I was set to be the No. 3 catcher. I’m catching because the other two haven’t been able to play.”

Several hours later, Fisk sat in front of his dressing cubicle. Now, there was a smile on his face.

The White Sox had broken a four-game losing streak. Fisk had called an outstanding game pitched by Richard Dotson and he had made a great play in blocking the plate to put out a runner who might have scored. He was satisfied.

In another corner of the clubhouse, Fregosi, unsolicited, said “I have to tip my hat to the man (Fisk). I’ve asked him to DH, I’ve asked him to play first. I know he doesn’t like it, but he’s given us his best and done an outstanding job. You have to admire that.”