Among the many tattoos on Expo first baseman Brad Fullmer’s body is one on his right arm that reads: Can’t Break Me.
Since Fullmer has gone from 44 doubles last season, his rookie year, to double stints at Triple-A Ottawa this year, an apt question is: Is that your slogan?
“No, I just have a bunch of ink all over me,” said Fullmer, who recently had the tattoo of his ex-girlfriend removed.
Last night, the 24-year-old placed a tattoos on the foreheads of Hideki Irabu and Ramiro Mendoza. Fullmer, who just returned from Ottawa Thursday, crushed the Yankee pitchers, going 4-for-4 with a homer (his fourth, off Irabu), two doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored in the Expos’ 6-4 win over the Yankees.
Fullmer – the Expos’ Minor League Player of the Year in 1997 – had an excellent rookie year last season. His 44 doubles were good for a tie for seventh in the National League. In 140 games, he batted .273 with 13 home runs and 73 RBIs.
However, as is often case for rookies, the league caught up with him in the second half. Fullmer didn’t help himself with his free-swinging ways.
“I’m trying to be [more selective at the plate this year],” said Fullmer, who entered last night hitting .217 – but finished a .242. “Sometimes I’m trying to do too much, swinging at pitcher’s pitches.”
Fullmer’s manager noticed a difference in Fullmer against Irabu and Mendoza.
“He’s been swinging at a lot of bad pitches,” Felipe Alou said. “[Last night] he didn’t. [Sunday] he did.”
In the second inning, he knocked his first double, which brought home Michael Barrett from first and gave the Expos a 1-0 advantage.
After a single in the fourth, he jacked a 1-2 offering from Mendoza into the seats in right in the sixth. The two-run homer unlocked the game, giving the Expos a 4-2.
The Yankees came back to tie the game 4-4. But in the eighth vs. Mendoza, Fullmer again sparked the Expos’ hitting a double to right under Tino Martinez’ glove. With a more fortunate bounce, Fullmer maybe hits a triple and for the cycle. He came around to score on Shane Andrews’ basehit.
