For Giants’ Burkett, Career on Mound Is Rolling Right Along

There were times during those six minor league seasons that San Francisco Giant right-hander John Burkett thought he might have made a mistake in not becoming a pro bowler, his first love.

Now, at 28 and 11-2 in his fourth major league season, the surprising ace of a surprising staff, Burkett no longer wonders. There are still times, however, when others reflect on his mid-80s fastball and off-speed repertoire and think this is a guy who should be delivering strikes of another kind.

Burkett, who faces the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium tonight, suggested Monday that appearances can be deceiving.

“If I went to a tryout camp and nobody knew who I was, most scouts would say I’d never pitch in the big leagues,” he said. “I think my abilities are more hidden than other guys. You have to watch a while before appreciating them.”

Are the Giants appreciative? Check the National League West standings and learn that they are leading the Atlanta Braves by 8 1/2 games and the Dodgers by 10 1/2.

Barry Bonds has had an obvious impact, but Manager Dusty Baker said pitching has been the key.

“You can have three or four Barry Bonds, but if you can’t stop the other people then you’ve got to win 9-8 all the time, and there’s too many good pitchers in this league to do that,” Baker said. “The thing we’re most proud of is all our one-run wins.”

The Giants are 16-9 in games decided by one run, 51-26 overall. They are first in the league in offense, first in defense and second in pitching. It is generally the same staff that was ninth in pitching last year, but it has been made better by the improved offense and defense, by the health of the starting pitchers, by Baker’s definition of bullpen roles, and by his appeals to the pride of a formerly beleaguered staff.

The Giants have only two complete games, but Rod Beck has 22 saves as the closer, Mike Jackson is 4-2 with a 2.36 earned-run average as the setup man, and starters Bill Swift (10-4) and Bud Black (7-1) are emulating Burkett’s All-Star numbers.

“I don’t think I’m pitching a whole lot differently, but the fact that we have a much better team is reflected in my record,” said Burkett, 39-27 in his three previous seasons.

In each of those, he made 30 or more starts. It is a measure of the recycled and oft-injured staff that Roger Craig was forced to work with in his seven seasons as manager that Rick Reuschel was the only other pitcher to start 30 or more in even two consecutive seasons.

“John has always had the stamina,” Baker said. “I think he’s more focused and mature now. I think he feels he’s a more important member of the staff. He’s our best at avoiding the walk, using the defense and pitching to situations. All of our starters know now that if they get to the late innings, they have a good chance to win.”

Burkett, with a 3.25 ERA, has walked 16 in 110 2/3 innings. He has pitched four-plus games without a walk, a span of 120 batters.

He cited control, along with his ability to change the movement and speed of his fastball, slider and changeup.

“You can’t just judge a pitcher on how hard he throws,” Burkett said. “He has to also be judged on his heart and endurance, how he moves the ball around, how he pitches in tough situations.

“I’ve always felt I would pop a big season if I got the support and pitched consistently. It’s only June, but I’d like to think that’s what’s happening. I mean, on a team like this there’s no reason to be selfish, but at this point I’d be disappointed if I didn’t win 20. I certainly expect to be close.”

Burkett has even learned to help himself. He was one for 55 as a hitter last year, his .018 average the fourth lowest ever for batters with 50 or more at bats.

“It was embarrassing,” he said, having worked hard in the spring to improve and received the encouragement of Baker, who believes in letting his pitchers swing the bat.

Burkett, a sixth-round selection out of Beaver (Pa.) High School in 1983, estimated he has received a take sign only one or two times while going six for 36 with five sacrifice bunts.

“I’ve always loved to pitch, but I never enjoyed hitting that much,” he said, that first love always being bowling, which he was doing in leagues when he was 5.

Burkett has bowled four 300 games, been a guest in many Pro Bowlers Assn. events, won enough to consider it a second job, carried a 215 league average last winter and has often felt he had made a mistake while mired in the minors.

“The closer I got to the big leagues and the more I heard about all those million-dollar salaries, the less I thought about bowling and the more I focused on baseball,” he said, smiling. “I think it was the right decision.”