It has been quite an amazing season so far for David and the Texas Rangers! But
since David is the main focus of this web site I will tell you about his sole success in the team: David
is currently hitting an average of .245, has SEVENTEEN homeruns, and 61 RBIs along with 9 stolen bases! Yes,
these numbers demonstrate Dellucci's amazing talent on the field--defensive and ofensive plays! May he continue on this
road of success! He surely deserves it! Click Here to check out David's page in the Rangers' web site, there are videos available and more precise information.
09.23.2004: Tonight was a great successful night for David and the Rangers!
Not only did they sweep the Oakland A's, but David had an AWESOME two-run double in the BOTTOM OF THE NINTH INNING to get
a 5-4 win against Oaktown!
09.07.2004: Tonight was a complete success for the Texas
Rangers and of course, an amazing accomplishment for David took place as the Rangers put an end to the Chicago White Sox's
10-3 streak! Kenny Rogers allowed only three runs over seven innings, as David hit an amazing three-run
double! GREAT JOB RANGERS! Keep it up David!!!
The following article was taken from
this page.
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06/23/2005 3:40 PM ET
Dellucci has adjusted without a hitch
Changes to lead off as designated hitter have worked wonders
By Robert Falkoff / MLB.com |
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HOUSTON -- David Dellucci is the resident Mr. Fix It for the Rangers.
Got a problem? Call Dellucci. He's available for a myriad of jobs whenever his ballclub is in a bind. The Rangers
went shopping for a designated hitter in the offseason, but never came up with the right fit. Not to worry -- Dellucci was
there to fill the void.
When the offense struggled to jell early in the year with Alfonso Soriano in the leadoff spot, manager Buck
Showalter adjusted the order, with Dellucci moving to the top and Soriano sliding into the No. 5 hole. Presto -- the offense
began to produce.
As the Rangers bear in on the halfway mark of the 2005 season, the spotlight shines on their All-Star caliber
infield and the fine work of starting pitchers Kenny Rogers and Chris Young.
But lurking beside the high-profile guys is a hard-working role player who has made not one, but two major personal
adjustments this year to help keep Texas in the hunt for an American League West title.
Dellucci had never been a full-time designated hitter prior to this season. He had never been a full-time leadoff
man, either. But because he has handled both assignments in admirable fashion, the Rangers have remained contenders rather
than disintegrating into pretenders.
"Both those roles have been tough transitions to make," said Dellucci, who ranks fourth in the American League
with a .409 on-base percentage. "When you are used to playing in the field, your blood is pumping. You're loose. You come
off the field and hit. When you're a DH, you have to find a way to stay loose. It's a matter of bearing down and not allowing
your mind to wander to other things.
"With all the free time you have, you tend to replay a bad at-bat over and over. That, to me, has been the toughest
challenge. Filtering out the negative thoughts."
While adjusting to a hit-and-wait mentality as a DH, Dellucci has also had to adjust his approach at the plate.
As a leadoff man, his mission is different than when he used to hit down in the order.
"The difference in the big picture is seeing more pitches and getting deeper in the count," Dellucci said. "It's
about trying to get myself on base any way possible. Last year, I was mainly in the [No.] 5 hole, where your job is to hack
and drive in runs."
In the aftermath of LASIK eye surgery in the offseason, Dellucci established a foundation as a leadoff man by
consistently laying off close pitches just out of the strike zone and drawing a siege of walks early this season. Through
Wednesday, Dellucci's 45 walks left him tied with Gary Sheffield for the American League lead.
In recent weeks, pitchers have gotten more aggressive in the strike zone with Dellucci, forcing him to make
a counter move in the constant chess match between pitcher and hitter.
Dellucci had been slumping at the start of the road trip, but he broke out in the first two games of Texas'
series with the Angels. He was 5-for-9 with two homers and drove in four of the Rangers' seven runs. As Texas prepares for
a weekend series in Houston, Dellucci is back up to .265 and his 12 home runs give the Rangers a special power ingredient
in the leadoff spot.
"I was first in on-base percentage before the slump, and I want to get back there again so that I'm doing as
much as I can to help our club generate runs," Dellucci said.
"I think the reason I had this slump was that I had gotten to the point of taking too many pitches. I was getting
way too many 0-2 counts, so this is a time when I have to counter by being more aggressive and hit my way out of it."
Dellucci had opportunities to move on last winter as a free agent. The Marlins, Rockies and Diamondbacks showed
strong interest. But the Rangers stepped up with a guaranteed two-year contract offer and are getting plenty of return on
that investment.
With 184 at-bats already this year, Dellucci is on pace to approach or pass his career-high 416 at-bats with
Arizona in 1998. Thanks to a slightly altered weight-lifting regimen, Dellucci is confident he'll remain strong through the
grind of a long season.
"Right now, I'm probably stronger than I've ever been," Dellucci said. "I feel like I just need to maintain
my strength rather than enhance it. I don't have to keep building strength throughout the season. Last year, I went so heavy
and hard in the weight room that I filtered out at the end and ran out of gas. This year, it's just [my goal to] maintain
and keep everything the same."
Dellucci's status quo is plenty good enough for the Rangers. Mr. Fix It just keeps coming through.
Robert Falkoff is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
The Rangers hit four home runs, including two by David Dellucci, to back ex-Tribe hurler Ricardo
Rodriguez, who threw a three-hitter.
David Dellucci and Kevin Mench combined for three homers Thursday, July 8th,
2004.
| David Dellucci 22 | LF
