Mar 4, 2003 3 min read

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) – Reggie Sanders has been in the major leagues for 13 seasons with six different teams. This spring, the Pirates are his fifth team in as many years. But the veteran outfielder admitted to being nervous Monday when he made his first appearance in an exhibition game.

That came six days after he signed a one-year, $1 million contract as a free agent after spending last season as the starting right fielder with the National League champion San Francisco Giants.

“I was a little jittery,” Sanders said. “It was my first game back after a long offseason, my first game with a new team. I was anxious to get back in the flow of things, especially with a new group of teammates.”

Sanders settled down after a shaky start as he helped the Pirates to a 14-3 win.

Sanders struck out on three pitches in the second inning against starter Joe Mays. But he worked Brad Thomas for a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, then hit a two-run homer off Adam Johnson in the fifth.

In all, Sanders went 1-for-2 with three RBIs before manager Lloyd McClendon took him out of the game after the fifth inning.

“You don’t want to get too excited because it’s my first game and I have a whole lot of work left to do in the batting cage before my swing is ready for opening day,” Sanders said. “But it is nice to start off this way with a new team. It’s definitely a confidence boost to have a day like this.”

“Reggie certainly made a good first impression,” McClendon said. “You don’t want to get carried away with one game but it was good to see him swing the bat like that.”

Sanders’ home run was particularly impressive, a long drive that landed on the roof of the Bradenton Boys and Girls Club beyond the fence in left field.

“I happened to get a slider that I could handle,” Sanders said. “At this point in spring training, I’m not looking to drive any pitches. I just want to work the count 3-2 in every at-bat and see as many pitches as possible to get comfortable in the batter’s box.”

Sanders showed he can work the count with his walk in the fourth inning. That was a welcome sight for the Pirates, who were last in the National League in on base percentage last year.

“Hopefully, some of what Reggie did in working the count will rub off on some of our younger players who have high strikeout totals,” McClendon said.

Sanders was originally scheduled to play Sunday. However, the Pirates gave him an extra day off to get into game shape.

“I worked out hard over the winter, so I feel like I’m ready to go,” Sanders said.

“Even though I signed after spring training started, I didn’t feel like I was all that far behind when I got here. I’m pretty much where I need to be now.”

Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield was certainly happy with Sanders’ first performance.

“Reggie is a proven veteran hitter,” Littlefield said. “We fully expect him to help our offense out this year, help us increase our production in the middle of the lineup.”