MIAMI – There’s not much Mike Cameron can do anymore. He is in a bona-fide offensive stupor, with no idea how to get out of it.
“I just don’t understand it,” the Met center fielder said. “If I had some answers for you guys, I would definitely tell you.”
A little more than three weeks ago, the Gold Glover was hitting .255 with six homers, seven steals and 14 RBIs in 26 games. But on May 5, Cameron strained ligaments in his right hand, and has not been the same since.
He sat out the next two games, and since his return, Cameron has gone 7-for-63 (.111). Worse, he’s produced just one homer, one RBI and one steal.
With a ninth-inning single last night, Cameron did snap an 0-for-17 skid, but his average still sits at .197. He cannot find the hitting remedy, saying, “I’ve been working on every single possible thing I could do.”
Cameron’s woes are forcing the Mets into a tough spot. Nobody wants to sit him and lose his defense and power potential. But how much good is Cameron doing the offense if he simply cannot hit? On Friday, the Marlins intentionally walked Jason Phillips, hitting just over .200 himself, to face Cameron with the bases loaded. Cameron then struck out.
Art Howe said he would consider sitting Cameron if his struggles continue, but on Friday, the manager cautioned, “I’m not at that point yet.” Last night, however, Howe did slide Cameron into the eight-hole, the first time he’s hit there since June 8, 2002. Howe said he was “trying to take the pressure off,” and perhaps his single can be a catapult.
Cameron admitted his ailing hand was initially a problem, but insisted he was no longer thinking about it. But Cameron, who has never spent a day on the DL, is not one to make excuses. He is in the trainer’s room each day and has a large icepack on his hand after games. If he is not hurting big-time, the timing of his struggles is a remarkable coincidence.
The Mets have told Cameron if he is really hurting, he must let them know. In the meantime, he continues to search for his hitting elixir.