Genovese Victim of Economy : Baseball: Longtime Giant scout let go because of restructuring and losses from the strike.

Brian Sabean, vice president of scouting and player personnel for the San Francisco Giants, said Wednesday that longtime scout George Genovese’s position was eliminated after 34 years because of organizational restructuring and losses associated with the player strike.

Sabean said despite appearances, he is neither callous nor insensitive.

But baseball is a microcosm of life, he said, and sometimes feelings are hurt.

Cuts and employee layoffs are a fiscal reality as the game heads toward the turn of the century, he said.

“I’m sorry George has hard feelings,” Sabean said. “But I don’t know what we could do differently.”

Genovese, 72, was told last month that his contract will not be renewed in 1995.

Genovese, who lives in North Hollywood and is an area scouting legend, has been a minor league coach or scout with the Giants since 1960 and signed such luminaries as Gary Matthews, Jack Clark, Dave Kingman, George Foster and Matt Williams. Forty-three of Genovese’s signees eventually made the 40-man roster.

Sabean, who took over in January, 1993, said the organization has eliminated four full-time scouts and none will be replaced. A part-time scouting position also was pared. Genovese was the victim of a cold, hard numbers game.

“We’ve been in the process over the last two years of fine-tuning how to go forward in the areas of player development and scouting,” Sabean said. “Basically, how to operate leaner and meaner.”

Sabean said in many organizations, Genovese might have been released two years ago, when Sabean and General Manager Bob Quinn took over.

“Usually, when a new regime comes in, they bring the broom,” Sabean said. “Everybody’s gone and the cupboard is stocked with new people. We didn’t do that.

“I feel good that he was kept around the last two years.”

The letter from Sabean read, in part:

“The San Francisco Giants thank you for all of your efforts and past meritorious service. Good luck in your future endeavors.”

To trim organizational costs, the Giants also have eliminated one rookie-level and Class-A team. Genovese believes there should be a place for him somewhere, though.

Said Genovese: “I made millions of dollars for the organization with the guys I signed.”

Added Sabean: “You could look at it another way. Most people don’t last long in this game. George had a helluva run.”