Padres Sever Ties to Past, Cut Bevacqua

The hope that sprung eternal for Kurt Bevacqua sprung a major leak Monday when the Padres sent him home from camp.

Call it moving into the future for the Padres and making the future questionable for Bevacqua.

Going into training camp, Bevacqua’s chances of making the team were somewhere between slim and none. Since Bevacqua was an unsigned free agent, he could not have been on the Padre roster until May 1. He was seeking a waiver of the May 1 rule through the Major League Players Assn., but, in the end, it wouldn’t have mattered.

“I made it a point to tell him that the May 1 rule didn’t enter in,” Manager Steve Boros said. “If he had gotten it waived, that wouldn’t have been a factor. We felt it was time to make this move. We have younger players who could give us an added dimension.

“I’m sure this is comparable to the decision the Mets made with Rusty Staub. He was a good pinch-hitter, too. At some time, you have to move forward with your club.”

Without Bevacqua, the Padres’ final roster spot is a battle between rookie left-hander John Kruk and second-year right-hander Jerry Davis. They have youth on their side--Kruk is 25, Davis 27--unlike the 37-year-old Bevacqua.

Bevacqua’s hope was that, somehow, he could return as the team’s right-handed pinch-hitter. The role now falls to catcher Bruce Bochy, third baseman Jerry Royster (who platoons with Graig Nettles) and switch-hitting outfielder Bobby Brown, all of whom have guaranteed contracts.

“In my opinion, there are some guys with guaranteed contracts standing in the way of them having a better ballclub,” Bevacqua said. “It’s hard for me to name names because they haven’t made any decisions yet. Basically, I think they’re going with Kruk for the last roster spot. He came forward this spring and deserved it.

“Bochy’s an extra catcher, so they won’t be able to use him much as a pinch-hitter. Royster is not a pinch-hitter by his own admission. And I just don’t think Bobby Brown can do the job right-handed.”

Bevacqua was 6 for 19 (a .316 average) with four RBIs in A games this spring. Counting B games, he was 11 for 33 (.333 average) with eight RBIs.

If Bevacqua can’t catch on with another team, he will finish with a .236 average in 14 seasons. As a Padre, he’ll be remembered for hitting .412 in the 1984 World Series and his home run which gave San Diego its only win against the Tigers.

“I guess I was there in case 15 guys fell on their faces,” Bevacqua said. “I feel they are making a mistake. What I feel and they feel are two different things. Ballard Smith (team president) and Jack McKeon (general manager) both told me I’m at the stage of my career where I should work on a one-year contract. They said I had to prove myself, and I think I did that.”

Bevacqua has three options: He could quit baseball, sign with another major league team or play in the minors and hope to impress somebody.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” Bevacqua said. “This was kind of an expected, unexpected thing. I feel a little dejected, but I don’t feel sorry for myself. I think I can still play, and I think my spring training record proves I can hit. I’ll be surprised if I don’t play again. Then again, I’ve been in this game 20 years and nothing surprises me anymore.”

McKeon was surprised that Bevacqua was somewhat surprised about being sent home.

“There’s no question Kurt knew the ground rules,” McKeon said. “When he came here, he knew he couldn’t make the club. What’s the sense of carrying him until April 6? We wanted guys out of camp who wouldn’t make the squad. This way, he has a chance to hook on with somebody if he wants to.”

Kruk had two doubles and two RBIs as the Padres defeated Cleveland, 6-2, Monday night. Mark Thurmond was the winning pitcher, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings.

Padre Notes

Outfielder Bobby Clark, another non-roster player, also was sent home. Seven players were sent to the Padre minor league camp--pitchers Ray Hayward, Jimmy Jones, Candy Sierra and Brian Snyder, catcher Benito Santiago and infielders Randy Asadoor and Gary Green. The Padres have 33 players remaining on the roster including pitcher LaMarr Hoyt, who will return to camp Friday after four weeks in a substance-abuse rehabilitation center. . . . Manager Steve Boros said he hasn’t determined whether Hoyt will stay with the Padres or go to the club’s minor league team in Las Vegas for a 20-day rehabilitation period. “We’re trying to figure out what’s best not only for getting his work in, but also psychologically,” Boros said. “We won’t know that until after we talk to LaMarr.”