Cey again?

Spencer Patterson

Friday, April 21, 2000 | 10:10 a.m.

Wherever Dan Cey goes, the questions seem to follow.

How is his father? What has his dad been up to? And, above all, when will Dan be following his father's path into the big leagues?

Such is life for the Salt Lake Buzz infielder, son of former major league all-star Ron Cey.

"I get questions like that every day," said Dan Cey, in town for a four-game series with the Stars. "With a famous last name, people are going to wonder, ask questions."

But Cey is the first to admit that trying to live up to his father's legacy -- a 17-year major league career in which he starred for four Los Angeles Dodgers World Series teams, was named co-MVP of the 1981 Series and belted 316 career home runs -- is an unrealistic way to approach his own baseball career.

"Some people expect some things, but if I never make it to the big leagues it won't be something I'll let keep me down forever," Cey said.

"I'm just playing this game to have fun and whatever happens, happens."

So far, the 2000 season hasn't gone as Cey had hoped. After spending all of 1999 with the Buzz -- hitting .295 with 11 homers, 56 RBIs and 10 stolen bases -- Cey expected to be the starting second baseman for the Twins' triple-A club.

But one day before the team's opener, Salt Lake signed Jay Canizaro, formerly of the San Francisco Giants organization.

Since then, Cey has been a backup infielder, getting just 25 at-bats in his team's first 14 games.

"It's hard, but there's nothing I can do about it," Cey said.

"I just can play hard and do what I can. The decisions are not in my control."

Still, Cey knows that with the Twins his chances of reaching the big leagues might be better than with many other clubs. Minnesota has shown a preference for promoting its minor leaguers and giving them time to adjust to the majors.

"It's a good organization to be in if you're young because they are giving chances to guys," Cey said. "They're not signing a ton of free agents. You've just got to be on the A-list of the GM."

As for his father, he reports that Ron Cey still lives in Los Angeles, where he does public relations and marketing for the Dodgers.

* GAME RECAP: Chad Moeller hit a two-out double just inside the third-base line in the 11th inning to lift the visiting Buzz to a wild 5-3 victory. The Stars (5-6) had two chances to break a 3-3 deadlock in the eighth and ninth innings, but Salt Lake (10-5) gunned down Stars runners at the plate both times to preserve the tie.

"I was probably over-aggressive there," Stars manager Duane Espy said. "I took a chance, and they made the plays."

* DAVIS HEADED BACK: The Padres optioned catcher Ben Davis to Las Vegas to clear room for catcher Carlos Hernandez, who is set to come off the disabled list. Davis, who spent most of 1999 with the Stars, began the 2000 season in Las Vegas before being called up.

* INJURY UPDATE: Espy reported that first baseman Joe Vitiello is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in Wednesday night's game and should be ready to play soon. Right-hander Buddy Carlyle took a line drive off his shin Thursday night and was taken for precautionary X-rays. Also, right-hander Matt Whiteside injured his ankle when he was stepped on during a close play at first base and is listed as day-to-day.

* UP NEXT: The Stars and Buzz will conclude their four-game set at 7:05 p.m. tonight at Cashman Field. Right-hander Stan Spencer (2-0, 0.82) will take the mound for Las Vegas against right-hander Scott Randall (2-0, 3.45).

The Stars will begin a three-game series at Fresno on Saturday.