Smith to Make Decision on Boros by Saturday : Manager Is Patient, but Others Want Padres to Start Making Up Their Minds

The World Series is nearly over, so the Padres are getting serious. Decisions are coming soon. Last year’s manager, Steve Boros, leaves Saturday on an eight-day cruise to Tahiti, and team president Ballard Smith promised Tuesday that Boros will know his future as manager before the ship sets sail.

“Yes, Steve will know what we plan to do by Saturday, but I’m not saying you (the media) are going to know by Saturday,” Smith said. “I’m just not going to let him go on his vacation without knowing. Of course, the situation is a little different because Steve has known all along that no matter which way we go, he’ll work for the organization.”

Boros isn’t exactly sitting by the telephone. His 12-year-old daughter, Sasha, has volleyball and tennis matches to play and needs dad to give her a ride to and from. She has homework, too. Dad has time to kill, so he helps her interpret “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Dad also helps 10-year-old Stephen with his spelling tests. Can Stephen spell Patience ?

Dad has plenty.

“No. Uh uh,” Boros said Tuesday when asked if he has been agonizing the upcoming decision. “They were right up front with it (their plans to wait before making a decision). I’ve used the time to relax and enjoy myself and get ready for our trip.”

Boros isn’t exactly sitting in front of the TV, either.

“I’ve been watching some of the playoff games and World Series games,” he said. “But I don’t make a point to change our schedule to watch them. If Sasha has a volleyball match or tennis tournament, we go and see that and catch the game maybe when we get back or if it fits into the family schedule.”

Not everyone else is so ridiculously calm.

Here’s how some others are spending their post-season:

Ballard Smith--Went to Montana to visit some family. Went to Boston to visit some college buddies. Went to Games 6 and 7 of the American League Championship Series in Boston. Sat in the first row of the upper deck, next to a 60-year-old priest.

“The fans there have a love-hate relationship with the players,” Smith said. “This priest hated Jim Rice. The first night, the night of the sixth game, he pulls out his yellow sheet and proceeds to tell me everything Jim Rice hasn’t done in the first five games. So Jim Rice doesn’t do anything in the sixth game either. Before the seventh game, he pulls out the yellow sheet to update me again, and I say, ‘Father, tonight is Jim Rice’s night.’ So Jim Rice hits that home run, and I looked over at him, and he says, ‘I still don’t forgive him.’ ”

Jack McKeon, general manager--Went to National League League Championships and World Series. Hoped to make a trade. Said he likes Gary Redus and Jeff Stone of Philadelphia, Nick Esasky and Kal Daniels of Cincinnati. Got angry when other general managers attended parties instead of tending to business.

“I’m worn out, really,” he said. “You walk the floors at night and you sit around and you get frustrated. You can’t get anybody to do anything. They say, ‘Well, we have to think about it.’ They want to give you a Pinto for a Cadillac. I’m tired of waiting, arguing with them and discussing it. In the future, I may come back early. You can’t get the work done like you used to. You can’t make inroads. There are a lot of diversions. Some people just aren’t in a big hurry to get things done.”

Deacon Jones, batting coach--Ran into former Padre Mark Thurmond in Houston. Chatted with Thurmond, who loves Detroit, where he was traded this year. Ran into Astro outfielder Kevin Bass, who still thinks he’s an idiot for striking out with two outs in the bottom of the 16th against Jesse Orosco. Bass said he knew Orosco was coming with a slider and he still whiffed.

Jones is miffed about not hearing any new news from the Padres. Smith told all the coaches on the way back from their last trip that they wouldn’t hear until after the World Series, but the waiting is the hardest part.

“It’s a feeling of concern, that’s all,” Jones said. “It’s tough sitting here waiting for the phone to ring. . . . He (Smith) told Steve to assure us we’d all have a job in the organization somewhere no matter what happens. And they did give us permission to talk to other people (about a job next year). They didn’t want to hold us back, not if anyone felt uncomfortable in limbo. But I want to show some respect and loyalty. I’ll wait for their decision, though I could be cutting my own throat.”

Jack Krol, third base coach--Answered his phone and wanted to know what was happening.

“In some organizations, they let a new manager bring in one, maybe two guys,” he said. “I always felt the manager should be able to name his own pitching coach and third base coach. Because those are the two people he’ll work hand in hand with more than anybody. But a lot of times it doesn’t happen that way. So I don’t know what’ll happen with us. I’m just sitting here waiting for the phone to ring.”

Sandy Alomar, first base coach--Is coaching Chris Gwynn, Tony’s little brother, in the Puerto Rican league. Hasn’t seen Carmelo Martinez yet. Was supposed to call him and see if Carmelo had lost any weight, but hasn’t done so.

“They told us we’re going to have a job, so it’s not that hard waiting,” he said. “I know I did my part (last season). I know I worked hard, and I know the other coaches did, too. We all want to go back to the big leagues, but nothing you can do.”

Larry Bowa, the next Padre manager?--Is in limbo, just like everyone else.

“I can’t (say much),” he said. “After the World Series, I’ll probably be able to talk about what’s going on. . . .

“If everything goes right, maybe I’ll see you in a little bit.”