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 'I'm much more serious' Anderson trying to shake image of free-wheeling playboy
Posted: Friday April 02, 1999 07:00 PM
BALTIMORE (AP) -- This is the image Brady Anderson conveys: a talented baseball player whose stylish sideburns, coy smile and chiseled body allow him to enjoy his status as a lifelong bachelor to the absolute fullest. This is the real Brady Anderson: a talented baseball player who dates one woman at a time, rarely frequents nightclubs and often wonders how great it would be to be a doting father. Anderson, the starting center fielder for the Baltimore Orioles, can't step onto the diamond without drawing screams from young women who almost swoon if he glances in their direction. It's been that way ever since he made a splash years ago with those fashionable sideburns that appeared to be right out of "Beverly Hills 90210." Truth is, Anderson has never seen the show. And, contrary to popular belief, his life has never been the stuff of prime-time soap operas. "Certain images people have, they're not always accurate. It was fun, though. It wasn't something I was opposed to," he said this week. "But I'm much more serious than people think." For years, Anderson had a relationship with a model who spoke four languages. He is now serious about South African tennis star Amanda Coetzer, whom he has been dating since October. "I just want to be with one girl," he said. "I find it infinitely more appealing to be with one woman instead of several random ones. That's a waste of time. I've always felt that way." In the Baltimore clubhouse after home games, Anderson often jokes with the kids of many of his teammates. There are times when he's almost jealous of players who get the opportunity to show their children what daddy does for a living. "My career has impeded certain relationships, maybe because I let it," Anderson said. "When I see the kids in the clubhouse, I know what a great thing that must be for the children and for the parent. "I've thought it would be nice to have my son and daughter around after a game. I guess I'm missing out on that," he said. "I wouldn't look at as a distraction at all." But Anderson, 35, isn't counting on experiencing that thrill anytime soon -- if ever. "The women I date are independent and have their own career," Anderson said. "Amanda would have a hard time in the third set, down 5-4 and five months pregnant." Anderson traveled with Coetzer around the world during the offseason and talks with her daily. But that relationship hasn't pulled him away from his one true love -- baseball. Anderson has virtually memorized his statistics since he broke into the majors with Boston in 1988. He knows exactly how many games he played in every one of his last seven seasons in Baltimore and can rattle off his power numbers and steals during that span. He is defiantly proud of his 50-homer season in 1996 and is painfully aware he had to scramble to hit .236 last year after starting in a 4-for-63 funk because of injuries to his shoulder, knee, hand and neck. He makes no apologies for his 1998 season, particularly because he still ended up scoring 84 runs, hitting 18 homers and stealing 21 bases. "I'm not going to say I was pleased with the year or had a good year, but I know what it took to get to the point that I did," Anderson said. "Regardless of my performance, which can be many times disappointing to me, I've never been disappointed in my preparation and effort. Every season I've given my best." Anderson is healthy now, and although the Orioles flirted with free agent center fielder Brian Jordan and toyed with the idea of using Delino DeShields as their new leadoff hitter, Anderson will be at the top of the order and in the middle of the outfield on opening day. "He's on a mission to get himself ready to go out and play," Orioles manager Ray Miller said. "He's taken more swings this spring than I can ever remember. I expect a big year out of him."
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