Richmond's Matt Whiteside, 37, proves that he's still got the right stuff.

08:03 AM EDT on Thursday, July 15, 2004

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

PAWTUCKET -- How fitting that Nolan Ryan was Matt Whiteside's childhood idol.

"He pitched forever," said Whiteside, who'll be 37 next month, but intends to keep pitching as long as he can.

Which, if he continues to perform the way he did in last night's Triple-A All-Star game, could be for a long while yet.

Coming in with one out in the top of the ninth, the score tied, and Pacific Coast League runners at second and third, Whiteside got out of the inning by retiring two straight batters, then set down the side in order in the 10th.

He wound up getting the win when, with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the 10th, Andy Phillips of Columbus hit a dramatic homer to give the International League an exciting 4-3 victory.

"That's what you dream about as a kid -- coming up in a tie game and getting the game-winning homer," Whiteside said of Phillips' blast.

As a kid, Whiteside dreamed about someday being a teammate of Ryan's -- a dream that was fulfilled when they played together with the Texas Rangers in 1992 and '93.

"He was a good person, as well as a good pitcher," Whiteside said of Ryan. "He was the epitome of a hard worker. He was someone to look up to."

Whiteside tries to be the same sort of player.

"Whenever I get to a new place," said the well-travelled Whiteside, "I look at the roster. For a few years now, I'm usually one of the older guys. Whether I want it or not, that puts me in some kind of leadership role, so I try to help the younger guys as much as I can."

Whiteside certainly speaks from experience, having pitched for four major-league teams -- Texas, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Atlanta -- during his 15 years in professional ball, most of it spent in the minors.

His last stint in the big leagues was with Atlanta in 2001, and now, having returned last year from Japan, where he pitched for Yokohama, he's back in the Braves' farm system.

Given Atlanta's depth in the bullpen, he's not expecting to be called up any time soon.

"I just try to do the best job I can," he said, "and hope somebody notices."

His effort last night certainly was worthy of attention, coming as it did in a pressure-packed situation against the best hitters in the PCL.

"It can't hurt," he said. "I just try to come in and throw strikes. No matter what the situation, you want to pick up the guy you come in for.

"I want to win every time, whether it's playing checkers with my grandma, pitching in a regular-season game, or in the All-Star game.

"I've been around the block a time or two. Some people may have written me off. But I'm going to keep playing as long as somebody will give me a uniform. There's nothing I want to do, other than pitch, at 37 that I can't do at 57, so I might as well keep pitching as long as possible."

PawSox manager Buddy Bailey, who managed the I.L. All-Stars, was impressed with Whiteside's pitching, as he has been when Pawtucket has played Richmond.

"He did a great job," Bailey said. "To come in with runners at second and third with one out and not give up a run -- that was huge."