Sports

SCOUT KNEW IZZY HAD RIGHT STUFF

YOU won’t find his name in the league leaders, but J.P. Ricciardi is having a big year. Ricciardi not only is the man who spotted non-drafted Mike Bordick playing in the Cape Cod League, he is the man who nagged A’s GM Billy Beane into trading for Jason Isringhausen with the idea of grooming him for the closer’s job.

Isringhausen was successful in his first 14 save attempts, falling one shy of the record shared by Robb Nen and Greg McMichael for the start of a career.

Beane said Ricciardi urged him since spring training of 1999 to get Isringhausen and use him as a reliever. Ricciardi viewed him as a potential closer.

“Given his injury history, J.P. thought it would be a little less stressful than starting,” Beane said. “And he’s got that closer mentality.”

The A’s dumped Billy Taylor on the Mets to get Izzy.

“So far, he’s really fit in perfectly,” Beane said. “I think coming here to a small market was a good forum for success for him. It’s probably a lot less pressure on him.”

Whatever became of Taylor? The Mets made no attempt to re-sign him, he was cut by the Rockies in spring training and is closing for the Durham Bulls, the Devil Rays’ Triple A affiliate.

And lefty Brien Taylor, the former Yankees’ bonus baby who ruined his left shoulder in a fight outside a bar, whatever became of him?

Taylor made five appearances for Cleveland’s Class A affiliate in Columbus, Ga. and was sent back to extended spring training.