NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Nolte Says Goodby to Padres

The visiting clubhouse attendant walked over to the circle of Padre players Monday afternoon and notified Eric Nolte his cab was waiting.

Nolte slowly got up from his chair, his eyes misting, and embraced teammate Andy Benes. Then, he looked at his best friend, Greg Harris, and hugged him as hard as his arms would allow. He unshamedly let the tears stream down his face. Harris cried just as hard.

The clubhouse clock read 3:48 p.m. when Nolte walked out of the Padre clubhouse door for the final time. By 3:50 p.m., Nolte’s locker was emptied and his nameplate atop the locker removed. The wonderful game of baseball has a subtle way of reminding people that this is a cold business, too.

The Padres, who drafted Nolte in 1985 out of UCLA with hopes that he would one day anchor their starting rotation, informed him Monday that he was being released from the organization.

Nolte cleared unconditional waivers at 2 p.m. Monday, and the Padres had the option of then sending him to triple-A Las Vegas or releasing him. They chose the latter, and Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, called Nolte into his hotel suite at 2:15 p.m. to inform him of the news.

Nolte, 27, bit his lip to keep from crying. He knew that he was going through waivers, but he didn’t expect to be released. Now, with no other major league team claiming him for the meager price of $20,000, Nolte will go home to Hemet and wait for the phone to ring.

After being informed of the news, Nolte called up his wife and agent, packed his suitcase, and headed to the ballpark to say his final good byes. He said he wasn’t bitter. He wasn’t mad at McIlvaine or Padre Manager Greg Riddoch. Instead, he said, he was upset at himself for letting everyone down.

“That’s what kind of guy he is,” said Harris. “He’s one of the greatest guys I’ve ever known in my life. That’s why this day is so tough for me, for all of us.

“He was such a big part of me, and a big part of a lot of guys on this club. It really hurts. It brings tears to your eyes. His presence will be with me for the rest of my life.

Nolte, 3-2, 11.05, leaves the Padres with the second-highest amount of victories on the staff.

PADRES AT A GLANCE

FIRST INNING

Padres--Roberts led off and singled. Fernandez tripled to center, Roberts scoring. Gwynn singled to left, Fernandez scoring. Gwynn thrown out at second on steal attempt. McGriff struck out. Santiago struck out. Two runs, three hits. Padres 2, Braves 0.

THIRD INNING

Padres--With two out, Fernandez homered to right, his first. Gwynn grounded to second. One run, one hit. Padres 3, Braves 0.

Braves--Belliard grounded to second. Smoltz singled to right. Smith homered to left, his second. Treadway grounded to second. Gant struck out. Two runs, two hits. Padres 3, Braves 2.

FOURTH INNING

Braves--Justice led off and singled to center. Bream grounded into double play. Pendleton tripled to right. Olson singled to right, Pendleton scoring. Belliar singled to left. Smoltz struck out. One run, four hits, one left. Padres 3, Braves 3.

FIFTH INNING

Padres--With one out, Faries singled to right. Whitson sacrificed. Roberts doubled to center, Faries scoring. Fernandez grounded to second. One run, two hits, one left. Padres 4, Braves 3.

SIXTH INNING

Padres--Gwynn led off and homered to right, his second. McGriff singled to center. Santiago struck out. Clark struck out. Coolbaugh struck out. One run, two hits, one left. Padres 5, Braves 3.

EIGHTH INNING

Padres--With one out, McGriff homered to center, his 10th. Santiago popped to second. Jackson walked. Parrett relieved Stanton. Coolbaugh reached first on infield single to third. Faries flied to right. One run, two hits, one left. Padres 6, Braves 3.

NINTH INNING

Padres--Whitson led off and walked. Roberts flied to center. Fernandez lined to right. Gwynn doubled, Whitson stopping at third. McGriff was intentionally walked. Parrett threw wild pitching, Whitson scoring, Gwynn taking third, McGriff taking second. Santiago popped to second. One run, one hit, two left. Padres 7, Braves 3.