By Dave Sheinin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 22, 2004; Page E10


Odd timing, isn't it, that Brady Anderson gets inducted into the
Orioles Hall of Fame on Friday, just a few days after the team's
center field situation was thrown into chaos yet again by an injury to
Jerry Hairston? Since Anderson last started there for the Orioles, on
June 24, 2001, the team has started no fewer than 13 center fielders,
and still has no idea who will be out there on Opening Day 2005.

Could it be Anderson?

That's right, the venerable sideburned one is talking comeback at age
40, a year and a half since he last played professionally for the San
Diego Padres' Class AAA affiliate in Portland, Ore., two full years
since he last appeared in the majors for the Cleveland Indians and
three years since he last wore an Orioles uniform -- striking out
against Boston's Ugueth Urbina on Oct. 6, 2001, to end Cal Ripken's
final game with Ripken in the on-deck circle.

"If I got the same opportunity to do what I did in Portland, and go
play again and try to work my way back to the majors, I would
definitely consider it," Anderson said by phone from his California
home. "Whether I do it or not, I don't know. But I'm interested."

Anderson, who owns the only 50-homer season in Orioles history, took
this season off in part because he wanted to spend time with his
daughter, Brianna, who turned 1 this month. True to his workout-freak
nature, he has been staying in top shape through various training
methods, including, for a time, playing in an elite flag football
league and running with top sprinters at UC Irvine.

Anderson's last taste of baseball was a good one, at least in terms of
his on-field performance. He was hitting .294 with a .455 on-base
percentage for Portland when the Padres decided they needed to give
playing time to their younger prospects, and released him.

"If I was playing with the Padres this year, instead of last year, I
wouldn't have gotten released -- because they're contending," he said.
"That's one of the reasons I want to play again."

As for the question of whether Anderson might actually be starting for
the Orioles next Opening Day, it's highly unlikely, of course. But
there wouldn't be much harm in giving Anderson a minor league contract
and seeing what he can do.

"I don't even know if I could even address that now," Orioles General
Manager Jim Beattie said when asked about Anderson. "We would have to
sit back and see where we stand. But the idea certainly has a good
amount of appeal."

But there's one more problem.

"I want to avoid spring training at all costs," Anderson said with a
laugh. "Those are six weeks of training I don't need. Why do you think
I quit? I mean, you can only stand 17 years of watching pitchers
practicing covering first base."