Graham Lloyd eager to get back to baseball

***Jim F.*** · 03-05-01, 04:24 PM

Expos' Lloyd eager to get back to baseball

March 5, 2001

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- One year after the tragic death of Graeme Lloyd's wife, opening day figures to be a bittersweet moment for the tall reliever.

When Cindy died last April 3 at age 26 as a result of complications from Crohn's Disease, Lloyd knew he would miss the entire 2000 season with a shoulder injury.

``It really, really hurt,'' Lloyd said. ``You ask yourself all the questions. Why? What's happening? But I'm a realist in many ways, and I suppose that helped me get through some of the darkest moments.''

Lloyd was with his wife in South Florida when she died, remaining behind for rehabilitation while the Montreal Expos opened the season. He had to face his grief without the distraction of being able to play the game he loves.

``I had friends when I needed them there and time to myself, as well,'' Lloyd said.

Lloyd had shoulder surgery last May and spent several months in Los Angeles, where, along with Cindy's mother, he tried to put things in perspective.

The 6-foot-7 Australian, who began his major league career in 1993 with Milwaukee, was a member of World Series champions with the New York Yankees in 1996 and 1998.

Traded to Toronto along with David Wells and Homer Bush in the February 1999 deal that sent Roger Clemens to the Yankees, Lloyd signed as a free agent with Montreal following the 1999 season.

Jeffrey Loria, a lifelong Yankees fan who had just become the Expos' owner, played an instrumental part in convincing Lloyd that he was serious about building a contender.

``He sold me that we were going to be a winning team,'' Lloyd said. ``I saw the vision that he had there, and I still expect that to happen.''

Having lost an entire season, Lloyd is eager to finally get to work for the Expos.

``I have high expectations for myself to do well,'' he said. ``It's been too long, one year too long. There were so many lessons in life last year, some that I obviously didn't want to learn until it's that time to learn. It was a tough year.''

Many baseball observers expect that the Expos are in for another losing year.

``I think we're going to surprise people by having our arms healthy,'' Lloyd said. ``At this stage, we haven't got all our cannons back. At the end of spring training, we'll see what comes together. We're going to have a good-to-great pitching staff, if everyone's healthy. We have great arms.''

He's seen people underestimate his team before.

``Even in '96, with the Yankees, we were counted out,'' Lloyd said. ``Nobody expected to see us in the World Series. Then when we got there, we lost the first two and, `It was all over.' But it wasn't. It really comes down to that moment, when you're out in the field, whether you get the job done or not.''

Last year brought Lloyd a lot of pain, physical and emotional. He's not trying to forget it. He's just trying to move on.

``That taught me a lot about life,'' he said, ``about enjoying every day.''

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/...pos-lloyd.html

I miss Graham, he was a damn decent pitcher. Our BP could sure use him now!

-jim

**Luvtino** · 03-05-01, 05:09 PM

I always liked him and wish him a happy, healthy and winning season. Poor guy...that is so sad about his wife.

1TonHumanHamsterWheel · 03-05-01, 08:30 PM

He was a great middle reliever with us in the '96 Series (and he was the winning pitcher in the famous Game 4). I have a friend who lost his 3-year-old sister to Crohn's Disease so I can see where Lloyd is coming from. I wish him luck with the 'Spos.

JeanC · 03-05-01, 09:43 PM

I always liked watching this Tall Australian pitch!!!! I wish him luck with the Expos! Someday hopefully he could come back as a Yankee!

That must have been very hard to deal with the injury at the same time with the Loss of His Wife. It must have been a very sad year for him.

Jeanne

Nome · 03-06-01, 09:28 AM

Go Graham,

Here's wishing you a fantastic year. It is your turn now.

Chris · 03-06-01, 09:32 AM

I wish him nothing but the best.
I like that guy and he's had some tough times (not including playing for the Expos)

**patrick.o** · 03-06-01, 09:59 AM

Remeber the '96 postseason? 14 batters faced, 14 batters retired. I was sad to see him go.

b-ball-lunachick · 03-06-01, 12:07 PM

I always liked Lloyd...I miss him as a guy and in the pen..it was so sad when his wife died...I think they had a moment of silence for her last year on Opening Day which I thought was nice...I have a friend with that disease, and it's awful living with that every day...and it reminded me how serious it could be and not to take him for granted...I wish Graham all the success in the world...

03-05-01, 04:24 PM	#1
*Jim F.* Administrator Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: NJ	Expos' Lloyd eager to get back to baseball March 5, 2001 JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- One year after the tragic death of Graeme Lloyd's wife, opening day figures to be a bittersweet moment for the tall reliever. When Cindy died last April 3 at age 26 as a result of complications from Crohn's Disease, Lloyd knew he would miss the entire 2000 season with a shoulder injury. ``It really, really hurt,'' Lloyd said. ``You ask yourself all the questions. Why? What's happening? But I'm a realist in many ways, and I suppose that helped me get through some of the darkest moments.'' Lloyd was with his wife in South Florida when she died, remaining behind for rehabilitation while the Montreal Expos opened the season. He had to face his grief without the distraction of being able to play the game he loves. ``I had friends when I needed them there and time to myself, as well,'' Lloyd said. Lloyd had shoulder surgery last May and spent several months in Los Angeles, where, along with Cindy's mother, he tried to put things in perspective. The 6-foot-7 Australian, who began his major league career in 1993 with Milwaukee, was a member of World Series champions with the New York Yankees in 1996 and 1998. Traded to Toronto along with David Wells and Homer Bush in the February 1999 deal that sent Roger Clemens to the Yankees, Lloyd signed as a free agent with Montreal following the 1999 season. Jeffrey Loria, a lifelong Yankees fan who had just become the Expos' owner, played an instrumental part in convincing Lloyd that he was serious about building a contender. ``He sold me that we were going to be a winning team,'' Lloyd said. ``I saw the vision that he had there, and I still expect that to happen.'' Having lost an entire season, Lloyd is eager to finally get to work for the Expos. ``I have high expectations for myself to do well,'' he said. ``It's been too long, one year too long. There were so many lessons in life last year, some that I obviously didn't want to learn until it's that time to learn. It was a tough year.'' Many baseball observers expect that the Expos are in for another losing year. ``I think we're going to surprise people by having our arms healthy,'' Lloyd said. ``At this stage, we haven't got all our cannons back. At the end of spring training, we'll see what comes together. We're going to have a good-to-great pitching staff, if everyone's healthy. We have great arms.'' He's seen people underestimate his team before. ``Even in '96, with the Yankees, we were counted out,'' Lloyd said. ``Nobody expected to see us in the World Series. Then when we got there, we lost the first two and, `It was all over.' But it wasn't. It really comes down to that moment, when you're out in the field, whether you get the job done or not.'' Last year brought Lloyd a lot of pain, physical and emotional. He's not trying to forget it. He's just trying to move on. ``That taught me a lot about life,'' he said, ``about enjoying every day.'' http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/...pos-lloyd.html I miss Graham, he was a damn decent pitcher. Our BP could sure use him now! -jim
	__________________ "Aw honey, you're so pretty. But you've always made decisions like an ugly girl" (US of Tara)

03-05-01, 08:30 PM	#3
1TonHumanHamsterWheel Career Minor Leaguer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: 562 miles from Yankee Stadium	He was a great middle reliever with us in the '96 Series (and he was the winning pitcher in the famous Game 4). I have a friend who lost his 3-year-old sister to Crohn's Disease so I can see where Lloyd is coming from. I wish him luck with the 'Spos.
	__________________ Imperium Referiat! When I walked in through the door/ Thought it was me I was looking for/ She was the first song I ever sang/ But it stopped as soon as it began...

03-06-01, 09:28 AM	#5
Nome NYYF Legend Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Branchburg, NJ 08876	Go Graham, Here's wishing you a fantastic year. It is your turn now.
	__________________ Yogi is a National Treasure. Let's put him in a National Hall of Fame. The man has no peers.

03-06-01, 09:59 AM	#7
patrick.o B-B.com Bench Coach Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: off the path...	Remeber the '96 postseason? 14 batters faced, 14 batters retired. I was sad to see him go. Last edited by patrick.o : 03-06-01 at 01:26 PM.
	__________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds - Robert Nesta Marley

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03-05-01, 05:09 PM	#2
Luvtino Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2000	I always liked him and wish him a happy, healthy and winning season. Poor guy...that is so sad about his wife.

03-05-01, 09:43 PM	#4
JeanC #1 BronxBomber Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Country living at ITS BEST! Indiana of Course!	I always liked watching this Tall Australian pitch!!!! I wish him luck with the Expos! Someday hopefully he could come back as a Yankee! That must have been very hard to deal with the injury at the same time with the Loss of His Wife. It must have been a very sad year for him. Jeanne

03-06-01, 09:32 AM	#6
Chris To hell with all of 'em Join Date: Sep 2000	I wish him nothing but the best. I like that guy and he's had some tough times (not including playing for the Expos)

03-06-01, 12:07 PM	#8
b-ball-lunachick my kind of special... Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Jersey	I always liked Lloyd...I miss him as a guy and in the pen..it was so sad when his wife died...I think they had a moment of silence for her last year on Opening Day which I thought was nice...I have a friend with that disease, and it's awful living with that every day...and it reminded me how serious it could be and not to take him for granted...I wish Graham all the success in the world...


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