Bumbry Sets Sights on Padre Pinstripes

It’s not unusual for Al Bumbry to be the first player in the batting cage and the last player to leave the field after shagging fly balls.

He wants to be a perfectionist. He’s been trying for years.

For 12 years at the Oriole training camp in Miami, Bumbry spent many lonely hours hitting off batting tees and machines because he liked to.

However, what was once a choice has turned into a necessity for the 37-year-old veteran.

“I have always liked to put in a good two or three hours of work at camp,” Bumbry said. “The Orioles used to run me out of the cage because they said I was working too hard.

“This year, I’m a little more intense. I want to be in tip-top shape because I’m trying to get a contract.”

After being released from the Orioles in October, Bumbry became a free agent. He was selected by only two clubs, California and Oakland, in the free-agent draft. Therefore, he was eligible to talk with all the teams.

“When my agent and I contacted the Padres,” Bumbry said, “they really seemed interested.”

Padre General Manager Jack McKeon extended the former all-star an invitation to try out with the Padres during spring training.

“When Jack mentioned that he was available,” Padre Manager Dick Williams said, “I told him to absolutely invite him to camp.”

Knowing that the Padres were short on experienced outfielders also influenced Bumbry’s decision to try to make the Padre team.

Bumbry is one of nine outfielders listed on the Padres’ spring training roster. Returning are starters Tony Gwynn, Kevin McReynolds and Carmelo Martinez.

They are joined by Bobby Brown, Ron Roenicke and rookies Jerry Davis, George Hinshaw and James Steels.

Was Bumbry, an established major leaguer, upset that he was only invited to camp and not offered a contract?

“Not at all,” Bumbry said. “I didn’t have aspirations to be a major leaguer and am just happy to have 12 years.”

Bumbry played basketball at Virginia State for four years, and he hoped to become a professional basketball player.

However, the fact that he is only 5-feet 8-inches hurt his chances of playing pro basketball.

After a two-year stint in the Army, the man who played only one year of college baseball was drafted by the Orioles.

After playing minor-league baseball in four cities in three years, Bumbry reached the majors in 1972 at age 25.

Maybe his background helps explain Bumbry’s optimism. At 37, Bumbry bounces from practice field to practice field with the enthusiasm of a rookie.

After working out all winter and taking batting practice in Baltimore since Jan. 1, Bumbry couldn’t wait to come to camp.

And so, the most celebrated of the nine non-roster players the Padres invited to camp arrived with the pitchers and catchers.

Bumbry has made his presence felt.

His impressive physical condition, his determined attitude, his ability to spray line drives and his graceful, over-the-shoulder catches have not gone unnoticed by Williams.

“He’s a winner, and he would blend in well with our team,” Williams said. “He hasn’t slowed down much, and he’s the type of hitter who can get on base. He can go get the ball, and he knows the game.”

Bumbry, who hit .270 last season in 119 games, has a .284 lifetime average. He has played on four division championship teams and in the 1979 and 1983 World Series.

He was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1973, and was on the Sporting News American League All-Star team in 1980. That year he hit .318 with 29 doubles, 9 triples, 9 home runs and 53 RBIs.

“He still has good bat speed and good pop in his bat,” Padre batting coach Deacon Jones said.

If Bumbry makes the team, it will give the Padres a versatile outfielder and a hitter who would add another dimension to the top of their lineup.

“When he’s in the lineup,” Williams said, “I could use him in the one or two spot and move Tony (Gwynn) to third. Your best hitter is supposed to hit third.”

Bumbry’s name has not been penciled in the Padre lineup yet, but it sounds as if he might land a job with the team.

Bumbry isn’t surpised.

But he was surprised to be searching around for a team to play with this season.

“I thought I had a halfway decent season last year,” Bumbry said. “It was definitely not the kind of year that told me I was through.

“I know the things I can do,” Bumbry said, “and those are the things I concentrate on.

“I’m a line-drive hitter, I can still run, I can catch the ball and I know what to do with it once I catch it, and I can still steal some bases.”

Bumbry doesn’t foresee himself breaking into the Padre starting lineup, but he thinks he can help out as a spot starter, defensive replacement, pinch-hitter and pinch-runner.

Obviously, that’s a lot more than the Orioles thought he could still do.

“When I didn’t play in 25 or 30 games against right-handers last season,” Bumbry said, “and the Orioles stopped employing a regular platoon system, I began to feel that I might not fit into their plans for the future.”

The Orioles gave John Shelby every opportunity to prove himself last season, playing him ahead of Bumbry even though Bumbry had a higher average against right-handed pitchers.

In the off-season, the Orioles signed free agents Fred Lynn and Lee Lacy. Baltimore has 11 outfielders, nine of whom have major league experience.

“Knowing that, I decided not to accept the Orioles’ token invitation to training camp,” Bumbry said.

After playing his entire major league career for one team, Bumbry felt somewhat betrayed by the Orioles.

“I was a little upset that they felt I couldn’t do it anymore,” Bumbry said. “In my mind, I’m not ready to retire.”

Padre Notes

Center fielder Kevin McReynolds took batting practice on Friday morning and said he felt no pain in his left hand. McReynolds fractured the cappel navicular bone in that hand while trying to break up a double play during Game 4 of last year’s National League Championship Series against the Cubs. After hitting earlier this week, McReynolds said the hand felt tender. On Friday, he said he was pleased with his progress. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to come right in and feel great right away,” he said. McReynolds’ injury is similar to the ones suffered by Brave third baseman Bob Horner and Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn. Horner’s injury still hasn’t healed. Gywnn’s has healed completely. . . . Friday’s workout was the Padres’ final practice for pitchers and catchers only. The entire team undergoes physical exams in San Diego today, and the first full-squad workout will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Ray A. Kroc Complex in Yuma. . . . In the championship game of “One-Eyed Cat,” Tim Stoddard’s “A” team beat Goose Gossage’s “B” team, 5-4, in 10 innings. The teams had been tied at one game apiece going into Friday’s game. After an exhausted Stoddard scored the winning run on a mad dash from second base to the plate, Padre Manager Dick Williams said, “He probably hasn’t run like that since his rebounding days at North Carolina State.” Stoddard was a starting forward on the 1974 NCAA champion Wolfpack basketball team. . . . Rookie catcher Ray Smith blasted a Gossage fastball over the left-field fence in batting practice. It was Smith’s second batting practice home run off Gossage this week.