Malone Calls Shots Now, Not Fouls : Baseball: Former Valley-area basketball referee rapidly gaining his peers’ respect as the Expos’ general manager.

Kevin Malone’s tenure in major league baseball is relatively short. Only 10 years ago the 37-year old Lexington, Ky., native was working as a regional scout in Southern California for the Angels.

Now he is general manager of the Montreal Expos.

Since being promoted two years ago, Malone has gained the respect of his colleagues by parlaying his knowledge of the game with a knack for finding baseball talent.

And to those who know him, his rapid ascent isn’t surprising.

Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ vice president and general manager, considers Malone a rising star in the baseball business.

“He’s one of the young up-and-coming GMs in the game,” Claire said. “Over the years he has surrounded himself with quality people and he’s an easy person to deal with.”

Claire would know.

In May the Dodgers and Expos made a trade that sent outfielder Roberto Kelly and pitcher Joey Eischen from Montreal to Los Angeles in exchange for first baseman Henry Rodriguez and infielder Jeff Treadway.

“Trades are supposed to benefit both teams and our deal did,” Claire said.

This spring, USA Baseball Weekly tabbed Malone as its general manager of the year.

Malone was selected based on his ability to keep the Expos competitive despite the club’s frugal ways.

Gone from last year are Marquis Grissom, Ken Hill and Larry Walker, yet Montreal is still in contention for a wild-card playoff berth.

“There isn’t a day that passes by where I don’t thank God for the position He has put me in,” Malone said.

But before Malone became successful in major league baseball, his free time was spent officiating various levels of basketball, from youth leagues to junior college games in the San Fernando Valley.

“Scouts generally don’t make gobs of money,” Malone said. “Officiating basketball was a great way to supplement my income.”

Since baseball and basketball seasons usually don’t conflict at the high school and college levels, Malone worked a steady stream of assignments.

“I remember working a game with Quincy Watts when he played [basketball] at Taft and I just marveled at his athleticism,” Malone said.

Malone’s eye for talent obviously extends beyond baseball. Watts became an Olympic gold medalist in track.

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As an Expo scout, Malone signed catcher Tim Laker of Simi Valley High and third baseman Brad Fullmer of Montclair Prep.

Laker platoons for the Expos with Darrin Fletcher, and Fullmer is in the club’s minor league system.

“Having spent a few years in the Southern California area, I know they play good baseball. It’s one of the best areas for talent in the United States,” Malone said.

During his time in the Valley, Malone forged friendships with several local officials.

Bill Spooner, an NBA referee who resides in Granada Hills, speaks with Malone on a regular basis.

Spooner, an established official in several college divisions, tried to help Malone get into the college ranks.

“Some of the college [officiating supervisors] were really interested in getting Kevin into their conference,” Spooner said. “We did some games together and he held his own.”

Malone worked the UCLA and USC scrimmages before the 1987 collegiate season.

“That’s one thing I’m quite proud of,” Malone said.

Bill White, the instructional chairperson for San Fernando Valley high school basketball officials, recalls Malone working local high school games.

“I remember Kevin as an official aspiring to move his career along.” White said. “This was a guy that could step into any type of game situation and take control.

“As basketball officials, we always hate to lose young talent. But when we lose someone because of success in their professional field it’s easier to swallow.”

Several local coaches expressed surprise that a major league general manager had officiated one of their contests.

“The name is familiar,” former Taft Coach Jim Woodard said, “but I can’t put a face to it. That means he must have done a pretty good job.”

However, Malone’s promising officiating career never materialized.

The Minnesota Twins courted him with an offer he couldn’t refuse. After a brief stint with the Expos as a scout in 1987, he signed on as the Twins’ East Coast scouting director.

Malone soon found himself working closely with Terry Ryan, the Twins’ current general manager.

“Kevin is an excellent judge of talent,” Ryan said. “He is aggressive and is a relentless worker.”

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In 1991, the year the Twins won the World Series, Malone was assigned to scout the Atlanta Braves during September.

His reports were forwarded to Tom Kelly, the Twins’ manager, and were a valuable tool for the team during its series with the Braves.

“His reports weighed heavily in decisions we made,” Ryan said. “The coaches depended on him. If we were going to steal on a pitcher, or pitch a batter certain way . . . a lot of that depended on what Kevin reported to us.”

With his focus on baseball increasing, Malone reluctantly gave up officiating.

“Being from Kentucky I’ve always had a love for the game,” Malone said. “The absence of basketball in Montreal is a big void in my life, but I’m learning to enjoy hockey.”

Starting tonight, when the Expos open a three-game series with the Dodgers, Malone will gather with a few former colleagues to discuss his basketball days in the Valley.

“Any time I can get together with some friends to discuss basketball, it’s going to be an enjoyable conversation,” he said.