The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 194

12 SATURDAY, JULY 2, 1994 LOS ANGELES TIMES Orange County Sports ile Waiting for Dodgers to Call, Hansell Finds Niche wn a Baseball: In Albuquerque, former Kennedy High right-hander makes transition from starter to reliever. ELLIOTT TEAFORD PIMES STAFF WRITER jj Greg Hansell watches and cringes. He can't help it and he's certainly not alone. The faltering Dodger bullpen isn't fooling anyone, 3past of all club management. But Hansell, a right-handed relief pitcher, keeps aiting and wondering when he'll get his chance to rn around the Dodgers fortunes.

He can do much right now because he pitching tnpie-A Albuquerque, polishing any remaining jough edges. S)-A championship in 1989 before turning pro, under If ft VV 5waS -V stands the Dodgers thinking, but that doesn mean content. He believes they're watching him closely, yet he for a promotion after mastering the transition from starter to long and middle reliever. It now appears that he has found his niche as a pitcher -r "I'm really comfortable there in the bullpen' Hansell said. "I'm putting some pretty good numbers up.

It's the right situation for me to get a few wins under my belt." Said Blaney: "We're very pleased. He really seemsr to have related to that role. He's confident and dominant. I think it's the right role for him. He seems so comfortable because he's performing so well.

So'1 much of the game is mental." Hansell approached the Dodgers about switching to relief work during a winter spent pitching in the Dominican Republic. "Tommy Lasorda came to see me and I really started off well down there," Hansell said. "I was able to block out all distractions. I started off well and got into that grove. It all started down there." Six weeks ago, the Dodgers granted Hansell his wish, moving him into the Albuquerque bullpen.

It afforded him the chance to pitch more often, which also enabled him to quit mulling over his performance on the days between starts. Since the change, he has also become a smarter pitcher, using his arm and his head to retire His command is far better, according to Blaney, and he has worked to eliminate mistakes. "Mistakes become earned runs real quick," Hansell said. He always had a good, hard fastball, but recently has improved his changeup and developed a tough curveball. "I think after last year I've become more of a pitcher than a thrower," Hansell said.

"I'm spotting the fastball well with a little more pop. I'm throwing the changeup for strikes. "I threw well at double-A San Antonio. When I came up to Albuquerque I had a difficult adjustment because of the altitude and the quality of the hitters. Last year, I got into a rut rather than a grove.

"I was willing to try anything after last year." The next logical step is a spot in the major leagues. When and where are out of Hansen's control, but he can force the Dodgers to act if he keeps throwing well. "Hopefully, when the break comes I'll capitalize," he said. onders what they're waiting for. He also knows a major league players strike might ipe out a sizable chunk of the season, but he wants to lay in the big leagues now.

"Strike or no strike, I want to pitch, he said. Watching the revolving bullpen door at Dodger tadium hasn't helped ease Hansen's eagerness, only it. He has seen other young pitchers, including Omar Daal, Darren Dreifort, Rudy Seanez, Ismael Valdes ind even Chan Ho Park, get an opportunity to pitch or the Dodgers this season. But Hansell keeps waiting lor his turn. Los Angeles Times Greg Hansell is biding his time in the minors, waiting for the Dodgers to call him up from Albuquerque.

I definitely feel confident with the way I've been itching," he said. "I talked to the brass here and they hink I'm ready. But I've got to stay focused down ere. Hopefully, when they need somebody they 11 ive me a call." Last week, Dodger General Manager Fred Claire so far. He is with a 3.74 earned-run average, 64 strikeouts and 18 walks in 84 innings this season.

His ERA is one of only a handful in the Pacific Coast League less than 4.00, an indication of his effectiveness in a notoriously hard-hitting league. Going into the weekend, no team had a batting average lower than Phoenix's .280. Salt Lake leads the league with a .313 average. What's more, Hansell has emerged as a candidate minors a while longer. "You have to have two things to pitch in the major leagues," said Charlie Blaney, Dodger director of minor league operations.

"No. 1, you have to have the ability and No. 2, you have to have the opportunity. Greg's got the ability. Now, he's waiting for the right opportunity." Hansell is determined to avoid a trap of resentment and bitterness, focusing instead on simply pitching well at Albuquerque.

It seems to be working wonders xpressed satisfaction with the job Hansell is doing at lbuquerque. But Claire also said he didn want to ake additional changes for changes sake, in other ords, baring injury or complete meltdown in the odger bullpen, Hansell can expect to stay in the Bare dhwim Assault, Theft, Drug Offense Experienced Criminal Trial Attorney You May Never Have To Appear in Court Rental Times VOLUME SELECTION COMPETITIVE PRICING ORANGE COUNTY'S I LEXUS DEALER PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE 544-48QO A IK IKLfll CALL BARNEY B.GIBBS 1-800-564-4DUI or (714) 838-9019 FREE CONSULTATION Wit MitMV Vfii (SWEEPSTAK ET) fin your first month's rent FREE! Details every Saturday in the NEW Orange County Rental Times. BYRON SCOn YOUTH BASKETBALL SUMMER CAMPS Boys Girls Ages 8-17 Daily: Dial 80 8- 8463 Your Free 24-Hour Stock Bond Quotes Press 2000 1 mas 2 ORANGE COUNTY I A Jfc. vifc Chapman University Day Overnight JULY 25 -29 Santa Margarita High Day Camp AUGUST8-12 CAMPS INCLUDE: Autographs of special NBA guests Camp T-shirt sea -w -fflk' -rj var -IP I (in area codes 213, 30, 714, 818, or 909) jj TimesLink is a free service of Hie Times. In some areas, loll or long distance charges may apply.

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