See Sierra Swing

Not everyone was sure of that in the preseason. Newspaper reporters referred to him as the "weakest part of the lineup," and thoughts of another Al Martin in left field surfaced.

He claims he held himself back because he was not 100%, having reported to camp with hamstring and hip problems. He knew he could hit and it was just a matter of time until he could prove it.

Two days before the start of the season we saw some early signs of it coming-a home run in his first at bat, a double in his second and a 3-for-4, two-RBI game.

April Fools Day-opening day-he only got one at bat and went 0-1. Eight games and 10 at bats later his average stood at .273, having warmed the bench four of those eight and started in left field twice.

Was Lou Piniella using him sparingly in the colder weather so he would not reaggravate his leg problem, or was he having doubts about his ability to contribute to the team? Could he still hit?

April 11 was a fateful day. It was the day Edgar Martinez set the franchise record for runs scored with 1,064. It was also the day Edgar fell to the ground in the ninth inning with a popped tendon behind his knee.

Ruben Sierra, his good friend and fellow Puerto Rican, came in the next day in his place and hit a grand slam home run. Two days later he went 5 for 5 and improved his average to .480.

Before April 11 he had only three hits. From April 11 to April 17 he stroked 13. He showed he can consistently get on base. He has done it with 10 singles and five doubles in a ten-day span. His on-base percentage is .488, the best among the regular players on the team, and his slugging percentage is .632-only Mike Cameron's is higher.

You would expect the guy who is number six on the all-time list for home runs by a switch hitter, and the active leader with 263, to have a good number of them this season. But no one will squawk if he just keeps getting on base. Time will tell if he can keep up the pace.

Last weekend in Texas he proved something to the Rangers, the team that did not re-sign him. In Seattle he is proving the same thing. He can still hit.

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