Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 32

-n TIMES ADVOCATE D4 SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1993 PADRES NOTEBOOK Tracy takes a run at the money PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF SAN Dl EGO Bouncing between the major leagues and minors is one thing, but getting released by a Japanese league team has got to shake a ballplayer1 confidence. Not so, says Billy Bean, the newest Padre. Bean, 28, suffered the indignity of being released by the Kinetsu Buffaloes last year. But he saved face by retumingto a major-league dugout Friday, replacing Guillermo Velasquez on the Padres roster. Bean, adept at all outfield positions and first base, hadnt played in the majors since a stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1989.

He broke in with the Detroit Tigers in 1987. 'I had no idea this was coming, said Bean, not to be confused with Mt Carmel High School alum Billy Beane, who also played in the majors. Though he was surprised at the timing, Bean admitted he had a master plan when he signed a minor-league deal with the Padres last December. San Diego is where I wanted to be, he said. Its near my home in Dana Point They were the first organization to call me this winter.

And with everything going on, being a veteran can work in your advantage. They needed the most cost-effective players." Bean spent spring training toiling with the Padres minor-leaguers. When he started two major-league exhibitions, manager Jim Riggleman told reporters: Dont read anything into it" But Bean hit .353 at Triple-A Las Vegas, led the team with 40 RBIs and forced his way back into the Padres plans. 'After looking at those big numbers on the scoreboard, it will be tough looking atzeroes," Bean joked. Hell deal with it, though he endured much more.

The Tigers shuttled him between Detroit and Triple-A three times before they gave up on him. The 1989 season alone saw him make four stops: Toledo, Detroit, Albuquerque and Los Angeles. Two years in the Dodgers system preceded last year's iltfated Japan venture. There was one more Triple-A stop, Edmonton, before Bean hooked on with the Padres. Baseballs agame designed forfailure," Bean said.

Butthinkingthatway only leads to negativity. Nobodys going to carry me up to the plate. I know Ive got to do the job. The Associated Press Great Britains Nigel Mansell, already a two-time Indy winner this year, had the second-fastest practice lap Friday in Detroit. Riggleman said Velasquez was sent down for two reasons: Bean is more versatile in the outfield and Velasquez needs regular playing time.

Velasquez will start at first base for Las Vegas. He needs to play every day," Riggleman said. And it was starting to show in his performance." IN THIS CORNER With a possible suspension looming after his second onfield fightthis season, Gary Sheffield wasnt aboutto take the political way out Whatever happens, happens," he said Friday. Sheffield charged the mound Thursday after Dodgers pitcher Rick Trf leek plunked him square in the back with a fastball. He scuffled at home plate earlier this season with Mets catcher Todd Hundley.

Sheffield said he had no regrets about going after Triicek. My reaction would be the same," he said. Its not like I'm saying I was wrong." Sheffield reported no ill effects from the brawl, and Riggleman said the rest of the team came out OK, too. The only one mixing it up was Gary," Riggleman said. Sheffield still felt the Dodgers were upset he took a monster cut at a 30 pitch with the Padres leading 10-2 in the sixth inning.

He was drilled on the next pitch. I swing hard; thats the way I play," Sheffield said. It's not like they gave me the take sign and I went out and hit away, anyway. yourself and you get paid for it. The more you scare yourself the more you get paid, he said.

Canadian Grand Prix At Montreal, Alain Prost smashed the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit qualifying record on the way to winning the provisional pole for Sundays Canadian Grand Prix. The Frenchman, who has started each of this seasons six Formula One events from the pole, drove his Renault-powered Williams around the 2.753-mile course in 1 minute, 18.987 seconds, translating to 125.459 mph. That easily eclipsed the mark of 1:19.775 (124.220) set last June by Ayrton Senna of Brazil in a McLar-en-Honda. I hope I can make the pole position because I want to make up for what happened in Monaco, said Prost, who was assessed a stop-and-go penalty for jumping the start at the race last month and had to charge back through the field on the narrow street circuit to finish fourth. Despite the great comeback at Monaco, Prost lost the Formula One points lead to Senna, who won has split the six race victories this season with the Frenchman.

Senna leads Prost in the points 42-37. Michael Andretti, the only American on the Formula One circuit, was a disappointing 13th at 1:22.751. last year, and earned one pole. Tracy appeared to have his first victory in hand when he led by two laps in the late stages at Phoenix, only to hit the wall. He finally got his victory at Long Beach.

Its a lot of work, Tracy said. Its a challenge every week. But its what Ive wanted to do my while life. Now its starting to pay off. Champion 500 At Long Pond, Ken Schrader won his third pole of the NASCAR season by breaking his own track record with a 162.816-mph lap in qualifying for Sundays Champion Spark Plug 500.

Ford drivers Mark Martin and Hut Stricklin had beaten Schraders year-old record of 162.499 at Pocono International Raceway when the latter reclaimed it in his Chevrolet. Schraders 55.277-second lap on the 2V-mile triangular track edged Martins 55.373-second run at 162.534. Stricklin averaged 162.508. Now, Schrader gets to try for the 17th time to win a race here. His best Pocono finish was second, to Bill Elliott in July of 1988.

I dont really know if I know how to get around the track every lap yet, said Schrader, 38, who has 14 career poles and is one of only four drivers with three at Pocono. Schrader said he likes qualifying because you get to scare (34), Snyder (18), KeGross 2 (3), Qwyrm 3 (24), McGriff 2 (31). SB-Off erman (8), Gardner (1). Runners left In scoring posItion-Los Angeles 3 (Butler 2, Piazza): San Diego 2 (McGriff, Planner). Runners moved up-Sharperson.

HELL TAKE THE THREE HITS Padres oiltfielderTony Gwynn didnt get as much sleep as he'd like Friday morning, but it wasnt because he was tossing and turning after being denied the chance at hitting for the cycle. My phone was ringing all morning," Gwynn said. My friends wanted to know what happened." What happened was Gwynn was 3for-4 when the brawl broke out Thursday. He already had a double, triple and home run and needed only a single to record the first cycle in team history. But Riggleman took Gwynn out of the game to reduce the wear and tear on the players knees.

Itwould have been nice," Gwynn said. But if you look atthe team's record book, my names in there enough. Let one of these kids do it first PADRES: Ninth-inning comeback Continued from D1 things have changed much. Hes pretty much in a situation wheres hes just mopping up for Mcllvaine, Sheffield said. Theyre saying to cut the payroll, so theres nothing he can do.

Sheffields learned to deal with the cutbacks. But only in recent weeks did he have reason to believe he could be among them. Not knowing whether hell go, or McGriff, or both, is what bothers Sheffield. I want to know where I stand, Sheffield said. They dont say anything My posi tion is I want to stay in San Diego.

If they dont want me here, they dont want me. It could be a while before Sheffield hears word from upstairs. I havent even gotten around to returning the baseball calls I need to return, Smith said. Its been so hectic Smith was grateful he was able to spend a couple hours Friday in consultation with minor-league director Ed Lynch and scouting director Reggie Waller. The baseball conversations arent only a welcome respite, theyre crucial as Smith balances his own opinions against progress Mcllvaine may have made on the trade front.

Were not in a hurry to do anything (in trades), Smith said. Theres a lot of talent here. Were not going to jump into anything. In other words: Sheffield could remain in limbo a while longer before Smith knows which direction hell choose. Theres been a lot of distractions, Sheffield said.

It hasnt been all peaches and cream. Im just trying to block that out. I just want to play. Thats all I can do. Dodgers starter Kevin Gross had allowed only three hits and two walks while shutting out the Padres over eight innings.

But Gross said he had a stiff shoulder and the Dodgers put two runners on base in the top of the ninth. Manager Tommy La-sorda chose to pinch hit for Gross. The move backfired as Padres reliever Pat Gomez (1-2) got Mike Sharperson and Brett Butler to ground out. Then the Padres scored five times to win it. Pedro Martinez came in to pitch, and Sheffield greeted him with an infield single.

McGriff then deposited a fastball into the left-field seats for his 13th home run, and the Padres trailed 4-2. After Derek Bell drew a one-out walk and Kevin Higgins singled, Jim Gott (2-2) came in. Ricky Gutierrez singled to load the bases, but Kurt Stillwell struck out. That brought Tony Gwynn up with the bases loaded and two out, still trailing 4-2. Lasorda brought in left-hander Omar Daal to face him.

The veteran won the battle, clearing the bases with a double to right-center and giving the Padres the victory. Thats as good an inning as weve had all year, Padres manager Jim Riggleman said. And it was good enough to keep all problems away for another day. Strawberry says enough is enough KEN DALEY Los Angeles Daily News SAN DIEGO Darryl Strawberry, benched one day after complaining about the difficulty of adjusting to left field, told Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda on Friday he did not want to play the position anymore and later said he wished he had sat out this entire season to rehabilitate his back. Fm going through too much, trying to play with a bad back and now learning a new position, Strawberry said.

Trying to play through it is the toughest part, he said. Then I gotta take all the from fans who want to give me a hard time. After two embarrassing mis-plays in Thursdays 14-2 loss to the Padres, Strawberry apparently decided enough left field was enough. RACING ROUNDUP: Young driver turns fast lap to take provisional pole for Detroit Indy car event The Associated Press Dont be fooled by the baby face and the glasses. Paul Tracy can flat-out drive.

And now he has more reason than ever to keep the pedal down. He became a father two weeks ago. Tracy, 24, turned in the fastest qualifying lap Friday for the TTT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix race for Indy cars. He drove his Penske-Chevrolet around the 2.1-mile, 14-tum course on Belle Isle at an average speed of 105.144 mph. If nobody tops that speed today, Tracy will be on the pole for the first time this season and the second time in his budding career.

There is a bonus of $10,000 for earning the pole position. If the pole-sitter also wins the race, he earns an additional bonus of $15,000. If the pole-sitter fails to win the race, that $15,000 rolls over. After four straight weeks of roll-overs, that bonus is worth $70,000 now. The head of the newly enlarged Tracy family figured that sum would come in handy.

You dont think of those things while youre driving, of course, Tracy said. But Im thinking about it now, and Ive got to tell you that $70,000 sounds like a nice chunk of change. I could make real good use of that bonus money, with a hew little girl (Alysha) to take care of. But he has two of the most famous names in racing right on his tailpipe, and both promised to drive faster today. Nigel Mansell, already the winner of two races in his rookie season on the Indy car circuit, pushed his Lola-Ford around at 105.111 mph, and Emerson Fittipaldi, Tracys Penske teammate, had a Tap of 104.850 mph.

Eight drivers bettered the course record of 101.694 mph set last year in qualifying by Michael Andretti. The race was moved to the island park, in the middle of the Detroit River, last year from a downtown circuit. This is only the third year on the Indy car circuit for Tracy, a Canadian from West Hill, Ontario. He finished second twice CESMAT: Smith improves game Continued, from D1 year with Peter Burwash International, a company that sends him to unique and out-of-the-way destinations around the world to teach tennis to people with all sorts of backgrounds wheelchair-bound, Alzheimers patients, prison programs, blind, and deaf people. Hes the best coach I could have, he is so patient and giving, Smith said.

He goes out there and donates his time and hes so happy to give and help us. We say thank you at the end of workouts, and he always says no, thank you for giving me the opportunity. Tennis is not a hobby for Smith. Shes competed in a wheelchair tournament, the San Diego Open at the Balboa Tennis Cub. I didnt win or lose, I learned, she said.

Shes a D-Level player who hopes to continue to improve enough to make it to a higher level. However, theres a problem. I was at wheelchair tennis clinic last month at San Diego City College and there was 25-male players and just one other female player, she said. Sponsors have taken notice of what Smith has accomplished on the tennis court. Kennex has sent her two rackets and a tennis bag, but shes not wearing the little tennis outfits splashed with Nike, Adidas, and the other major tennis companies.

At least not yet. As for her illness, shes still working in hopes of using her legs again. She recently saw a physical therapist who recommended crawling exercises to work on her balance. She is also on a sit-up regimen to strengthen her stomach muscles. Its hard work, she said.

But no one is going to push me FIRE SALES ROAD SHOW The were plenty of heads shaking in the Padres clubhouse when word spread of Friday's Tony Femandez-for-Darrin Jackson swap. I cannot believe that," Gwynn said. Unbelievable. Fernandez and Jackson, of course, were victims of the Padres' off- season cost-cutting. Fernandez went to the New York Mets in the deal that brought Wally Whitehurst to San Diego.

Jackson went to the Toronto Blue Jays when Derek Bell came to San Diego. They switched teams Friday in an even-up trade. Fernandez, who struggled as the Mets shortstop this year, not only returns to the city where he started his career but also to artificial turf, his preferred surface. Isnt it ironic that Tony goes back to Toronto and takes Alfredo Griffin's job twice," Gwynn said. I think he'll be happy back in Toronto.

Honestly, I always had the feeling when he was here that he missed Toronto. I hope he finds his stroke again." Gwynn also wished the low-keyed Jackson the best in New York. I hope he keeps his composure," Gwynn said. ORGANIZATION REPORT Some noteworthy statistics in the Padres minor-league system through Thursdays games: Triple-A Las Vegas: Dan Walters, .378 BA, 10 RBI in 37 at- bats. Frank Semlnara 1-1, 5.40 ERA in 6 games.

Doubled Wichita: OFRay McDavId .272 BA, 2 HR, 14 SB, 51 in 191 AB. OF Dwayne Hosey .280 BA, 9 HR, 35 RBIs in 189 AB. Joey Hamilton 1-5, 5.40 ERA in 7 starts. Bryce Floiie 6-2, 3.65 ERA, 65 in 12 starts. Single-A Rancho Cucamonga: IB Dave Staton .345 BA, 7 HR, 26 RBI in 84 AB.

Robbie Beckett 2-4, 10.42 ERA, 46 BB, 31 Ks in 10 starts and 38 IP. Single-A Waterloo: Jon Barnes 5-3, 2.86 ERA in 10 starts. eeh: Mission Valley memories gone bad: When the name of former Padres pitcherTIm Stoddard appeared on the scoreboard as the answerto a trivia question, the crowd roundly booed, fl Pat Gomezs victory was the first of his major-league career. SHAUN ONEILL Padres 5, Dodgers 4 ULUAN VDSStCOFFForthe Times Advocate Escondidos Sandy Smith serves with doubles partner Nick Higgins looking on during a special wheelchair class at Carmel Highland Resort Inherited runneisscored-Gott 2-0, Daal 3-3, Ettles 1-0, Gomez 2-0. Umpims-Home, Barnes; First, Runge; Second, Kellogg; Third, DeMuth.

257. How They Scored How the runs scored In Fridays game between the Dodgers and the Padres: Dodgers Me Snyder struck out Kerros struck out Reed singled to left. Gross homered dorm the left Itetd line on 00 count, Reed and Gross scored. Butler grounded out to second baseman Gardner. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 Mt on.

Dodgers 2, Pbw 0. Dodgsts Static Ofterman grounded out to shortstop Gu-tlerrez. Devfs died out to right fielder Gwynn. Wahacti homered to left on 1 -0 count Plana doubled to right center. Snyder singled to center, Piazza scored.

Ettles relieved Brocat. Karros struck out 2 rom, i hits, 0 won, 1 left on Dodgers 4, Padres 0. Padre Nlntlc P.Martlnez pitching, batOig 9th. Sheffield singled to pitcher. McGrtlf homered to left on 00 court, Sheffield and McGrtfT scored.

Planter struck out Bet walked. Hlg gns singled to right Bell to second. Gott relieved P.Martlnez. Gutterrez singled to rigid center. Bet to third, Mgglng to sen ond.

Sttlwet, pinch hitting tor Gomez. Shipley ran for Higgins. SUM struck out Daal relieved Gott Gwynn doubled to center, Belt Shipley and Gudetrez scored. Brens, 5 hits, left on. Paine 5, Dodgers 4.

except myself, so why complain? Ive known Smith for more than 20 years. I remember her when she would chase my older brother around school, play sports, and ride horses. There are times when a lesser person couldnt live a life of crawling through rooms because the wheelchair doesnt fit through the door, crawling up to the sink to wash your hands, or trying to load a wheelchair in a car during a rainstorm. Theres a saying that fits with her: The more you like other people, the more you will fulfill yourself. Look for Smith to make an impact on the tennis court, like she has up to this point with her zest for life.

Brad Cesmat is a sportscaster and talk show host for XTRA-AM (690). Two outs when vrinning run scored, s-grounded out for Ettles In the Sth. bannounced lor Gross in the 9th. Grounded out for Hansen In the 9th. dim out for Gomez In the 9th.

1-ran for Higgins In the 9th. Sheffield (14). EoB-Los Angeles 6, San Diego 6. 2B-Plazza (9), Gwynn (17). HR-McGrlf! (13) off PMartinez, Walla (8) off Broca), KeGross (1) off Broca.

RBIs-WaHach i'.