Golden Boys

Ben Sheets isn't the only member of last year's
gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic baseball team who has already
played a big role in the big leagues. Of the 24 players on Team
USA, 15 have appeared in the majors this season, and all but two
of them remain on professional rosters. Here's what those
players, including Sheets, have done (statistics through
Sunday). --Jamal Greene

PITCHERS

Kurt Ainsworth, 23, RHP (Giants)
Fireballer went 10-9 with 5.07 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 149
innings for Triple A Fresno; since Sept. 1 call-up, had 13.50
ERA in two games.

Ryan Franklin, 28, RHP (Mariners)
Was 5-1 with 3.63 ERA in 36 games as Seattle's long man.

Chris George, 22, LHP (Royals)
Since July 26 call-up from Triple A Omaha, was 4-5 with 5.82 ERA
in 10 starts.

Shane Heams, 26, RHP (Tigers)
Former outfielder was combined 6-5 with 3.86 ERA for Double A
Erie and Triple A Toledo.

Rick Krivda, 31, LHP (free agent)
Journeyman released by Cardinals in July after going 4-6 with
4.35 ERA for Triple A Memphis.

Roy Oswalt, 24, RHP (Astros)
Armed with devastating curve and 95-mph fastball, early May
call-up was 14-2 with 2.53 ERA in 19 starts; Rookie of the Year
candidate.

Jon Rauch, 23, RHP (White Sox)
Towering (6'11") fastballer was 1-3 with 5.79 ERA for Triple A
Charlotte until shoulder surgery in May.

Bobby Seay, 23, LHP (Devil Rays)
Had 7.20 ERA in 10 innings of relief since Aug. 12 promotion
from Double A Orlando.

Ben Sheets, 23, RHP (Brewers)
Went 10-9 with a 4.79 ERA before right shoulder tendinitis slowed
roller-coaster rookie season in August; did respectably on return
to action at home on Sept. 21, allowing two hits, one earned run
and no walks in five innings.

Todd Williams, 30, RHP (Yankees)
Started season in the Bronx but strained abdominal muscle and
4.70 ERA sent him back to Triple A Columbus in July. Since then,
had 7.11 ERA in 19 innings.

Tim Young, 27, LHP (Japan)
Released by Red Sox in December, had 1.78 ERA with Hiroshima Toyo
Carp's farm club.

POSITION PLAYERS

Brent Abernathy, 24, 2B (Devil Rays)
Had started at second since late June call-up, batting .286 with
five home runs and 32 RBIs.

Pat Borders, 38, C (Mariners)
A .236 average with Triple A Durham was good enough for Seattle
to buy veteran's contract to help rest other backstops; called up
on Sept. 4.

Sean Burroughs, 21, 3B (Padres)
Sweet swinger batted .322 with nine homers and 55 RBIs for Triple
A Portland; ticketed for Qualcomm in 2002.

John Cotton, 30, Utility (Expos)
Batted .280 with five homers in 24 games for Triple A Ottawa;
Montreal was his third organization this year.

Gookie Dawkins, 22, Utility (Reds)
Hit .226 for Double A Chattanooga; didn't rediscover stroke that
briefly landed him in majors in 1999 and 2000.

Adam Everett, 24, SS (Astros)
Called up on Aug. 29 for pinch-running duty after batting .249
with five homers and 24 steals at Triple A New Orleans.

Marcus Jensen, 28, C (Rangers)
Hit .298 in 188 at bats with Triple A Oklahoma, meriting Aug. 31
call-up; with Ivan Rodriguez out, should get at bats.

Mike Kinkade, 28, Utility (Orioles)
Had played more positions (five, including catcher) than hit
homers (four, with a .277 average) as Baltimore's backup
extraordinaire.

Doug Mientkiewicz, 27, 1B (Twins)
Hit .313 with 15 homers and 72 RBIs; might win a Gold Glove in
fourth shot with Minnesota.

Mike Neill, 31, OF (free agent)
Homer-hitting Olympic hero batted .245 with five dingers and 22
RBIs for Red Sox' Triple A Pawtucket before Aug. 18 release.

Anthony Sanders, 27, OF (Japan)
Refused assignment by Mariners after 3-for-17 April, batted .114
with one homer in 44 at bats for the Yokohama Bay Stars.

Brad Wilkerson, 24, OF (Expos)
Slowed by off-season shoulder surgery, batted .182 in two brief
stints in big leagues.

Ernie Young, 32, OF (Padres)
Hit .274 with 20 homers and 67 RBIs for Triple A Portland,
perhaps a decade too late.

COLOR PHOTO: JOHN BIEVER Numero uno U.S. teammates lifted Sheets after he took down Cuba in the gold medal game