PADRE UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Is Spring Training Too Long? More and More Players Think So

There used to be a time when only those upset with their contracts would be late to spring training. They would either hold out, show up late or stage a one-day walkout to make a statement.

Times have changed. You still have players squabbling about money, but these days, no excuse is needed to arrive late.

The change in attitude again brings up the question: Is spring training too long?

“The conventional baseball wisdom believes seven weeks is needed for spring training, and who’s to say it isn’t?” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager. “I realize players come to spring training in better shape than ever before, but to play in 162 games, you have go get in mental shape. Since this game is at least 75% mental, it underscores the time period you need to get your head screwed on straight.”

Countered Padre veteran Larry Andersen: “I personally think it’s too long myself. When we had the lockout, I was ready by opening day, and I had my best season in years. I think you get tired and fried by the time the season starts, and then you go six months with just three days off a month.

“The only good thing about a long spring training is it gives you reason to bitch more.

“But it’s amazing how many guys show up late now. It used to be that the only guys who show up late were Nolan Ryan, Bob Knepper and Danny Darwin. They always used the excuse that they had to go to the rodeo or take care of their cattle.

“Now look at all the guys who show up late.”

OK, take a look:

--Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox: Personal business. “Why should I be there early,” Clemens said, “so I can stand and spit sunflower seeds? Me not being there doesn’t affect the workouts one bit.”

--Julio Machado, Milwaukee Brewers: He is being detained in Venezuela on murder charges.

--Jose Canseco, Oakland Athletics: No excuse given. Might have been at the local body shop repairing the damage caused last month when he angrily slammed into his wife’s Mercedes.

--Nolan Ryan, Texas Rangers: Personal business. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had my uniform on in February,” Ryan said.

--Jeff King, Pittsburgh Pirates: Home to be with his expectant wife. Sound familiar? It should: It’s their third baby in the past 26 months.

--George Bell, Chicago Cubs: Purchased a gas station in his hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and needed to complete the details. Really.

--Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics: It’s news when he arrives on time , isn’t it?

The Padres are closer to an agreement to move their spring-training site to Sun City, Ariz., beginning in 1994, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Although an announcement is not expected until at least April, the Padres probably will move, providing Sun City assures that all the upgrades will be met.

Bob Wells, Padre vice president/finance, confirmed that Tucson was eliminated as a possible site, and Peoria, Ariz., never was considered a realistic possibility. Yuma is the only city still in contention with Sun City, but the Padres dearly want to play in the Phoenix area.

“We’ve been treated great in Yuma,” McIlvaine said. “It’s just a matter of logistics.”

It rained much of the day in Yuma, canceling the Padres’ workout. Those who were scheduled to pitch batting practice, however, still were able to pitch on the side. . . . Pitcher Jose Melendez has an abscessed tooth and spent the afternoon in the dentist’s chair. . . . The Padres’ pitching matchups for their four-game series against the Angels beginning at 12:05 p.m. (PST) Friday at Sun Desert Stadium in Yuma: The Padres’ Greg Harris vs. Mark Langston; Bruce Hurst vs. Don Robinson on Saturday; Ed Whitson vs. Joe Grahe on Sunday; and Ricky Bones vs. Scott Lewis on Monday.