Charlotte, Vancouver square off

Matt O'Brien

Monday, Sept. 20, 1999 | 9:53 a.m.

The ultimate goal of a minor league baseball player is to reach the "bigs." But if this aim proves unattainable, the next best thing for a minor leaguer would be participating in the triple-A World Series.

Tonight at Cashman Field, players for the Charlotte Knights and the Vancouver Canadians will see this dream come to fruition.

While 28 of 30 Class AAA affiliates have completed their seasons, the Knights (82-62), representing the International League, and the Canadians (84-58), who captured the Pacific Coast League title, square off in a best-of-5 series to determine the second triple-A World Series champion (New Orleans won the inaugural event last year at Cashman Field).

Prior to the '98 season, there were three Class AAA leagues, each which vied for their respective titles. Last year, when the American Association disbanded, a World Series became feasible.

"Our ballclub has overcome a lot of hurdles this season," said Knights manager Tom Spencer, whose club made the playoffs courtesy of a wildcard berth. "We haven't played anyone from the Pacific Coast League, but we're ready to do battle. It should be an interesting matchup."

Charlotte's strength is hitting (the team batted .290 in the regular season) but its starting pitching has been solid as well. In Game 1, which will be televised on ESPN2 at 8 p.m., Spencer will send right-hander Tanyon Sturtze (2-0, 4.70 ERA in the postseason) to the mound against Vancouver's probable starter Mark Mulder (1-0, 0.00 ERA).

"It's a big game, but I'm trying to approach it like any other game," said Strutze, who will also start Game 5 if the series goes the distance.

"We're hot right now and guys are hitting the ball all over the place. If I hold (Vancouver) to a few runs, we should win the game."

Mulder, who has not allowed a run in 15 postseason innings, will start barring a promotion to the parent-club Oakland A's.