Drew sits
Belleville News-Democrat

Rookie outfielder J.D. Drew was unable to start against Philadelphia because of his tender right thigh. Drew started Sunday but did not run well.

"It's day-to-day," Drew said. "It gets aggravated if I go too hard, and I don't know what level to push it at yet.

"I've never had any strains like this, so it's kind of tough to gauge how to go out there and not go full-speed, because I've never known anything but full-speed."

The Phillies selected Drew in the first round (second overall) of the 1997 draft, but he refused to sign with them. Drew eventually re-entered the draft and signed with St. Louis.

A large contigent of Philadelphia reporters met with Drew before the game Monday, and Drew was asked how he felt he will be recieved by Phillies fans in August.

"Hopefully, they'll see my side of the story and judge me for the way I play the game," Drew said. "all I can do is go out there and give it the best shot I've got. God's got a plan for my life, and his will was for me to be in St. Louis.

"I'm happy in St. Louis; it's a good town, and we have good players here. I've got to go out there for our welfare and try to win some ballgames."

copyright Belleville News-Democrat, a Knight Ridder newspaper

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