Ex-Padre Supplants Ex-Padre : Juan Bonilla Cast in Familiar Role Behind Wiggins in Baltimore

In 1983, Juan Bonilla drove in more runs (45) than any second baseman in San Diego Padre history.

In 1984, he was unemployed, fishing and coaching Little League in Quincy, Fla. . . . not to mention more than a little bitter.

“I was stunned when San Diego let me go,” Bonilla said. “I knew they were going to give the starting job to (Alan) Wiggins, but I thought they’d keep me around to see what happened. I was so stunned that I didn’t want to talk to anyone.

“That was a mistake, a big mistake. I wish now I’d taken the time to thank management for the time in San Diego, and I wish I had the chance to thank the fans of San Diego.”

Bonilla sat out the 1984 season, but was signed to a free-agent contract by the Yankees before the 1985 season. New York released him last December and now he finds himself playing behind Wiggins again, this time with the Baltimore Orioles.

“Bonilla is a good defensive second baseman and he’s already had a couple of real big base hits for us,” Baltimore Manager Earl Weaver said. “I’m convinced he’s a quality major league caliber player. He’s proven that. And from the first day of spring training, he’s done everything we’ve asked.”

In 34 games with the Orioles this season, Bonilla is hitting .279 (24 for 86) with 12 runs scored, 5 doubles, 1 home run and 7 RBIs. He has committed one error.

A little too flashy on the field for some but otherwise a model ballplayer, Bonilla has just one blot on his record--a voluntary stint in a drug rehabilitation center in 1982. He says now that he was only a casual user and didn’t spend more than a total of $500 on drugs during that 1982 season when he was sidelined with a wrist injury.

But Bonilla fell further into disfavor with the Padres’ front office when he reported overweight in 1983. And the $325,000 he was awarded in a 1984 salary arbitration case didn’t exactly endear him to San Diego management, either.

On March 25, 1984, he was released. The calls from other teams never came.

New York decided to give him a chance in 1985 and Bonilla made the most of it. He began the season with the Yankees, went down to Triple-A affiliate Columbus on April 30 and ended up leading the International League in hitting with a .330 average.

“The Yankees didn’t give me a real good shot to make the club,” Bonilla said. “When Billy Martin took over for Yogi (Berra), he sent me down to the minors without any explanation.

“(General Manager) Clyde King told me it was in my best interest to play every day, to get back in the routine and in playing shape.”

It wasn’t long before Bonilla began to think King was right.

“It was actually good for me,” he said. “I got the opportunity to play every day and it helped me get back on track. I proved I can still play baseball. It was only Triple-A, but I think I proved it without a doubt.”

Weaver’s a believer.

“He’s our extra infielder right now,” Weaver said, “but if anything happens to Alan, I’m comfortable he can do the job and hit for a decent average, too.”

Bonilla, who feels fortunate to be playing anywhere these days, said the Orioles have made him feel at home. For the first time in quite a while, he’s at peace with himself.

“I feel part of the ballclub here,” he said. “I’m accepted by my teammates and I think management has respect for my abilities. Wiggins is a very good athlete and a good leadoff hitter, but it’s a long season. Someone might get hurt, guys will get tired, and I’ll get a chance to help.

“I have no complaints or worries. My personal life is nearly perfect. I don’t regret anything. I made mistakes, bad mistakes, both on and off the field. But you learn from those experiences and hope not to do it again.”