This Balk Becomes More Serious for Giants’ Estes

Pitcher Shawn Estes was never known for his steals as a San Francisco Giant, but he now may be.

Estes allegedly took a joy ride on a $600 21-speed bicycle he saw parked outside a Los Gatos restaurant three weeks ago, possibly failing to notice the word “police” stenciled on its frame.

When bike patrol officers Randall Bishop and Michael Wharton came out of the restaurant and spotted Estes, 23, he returned the bike.

But the moment they informed him he was under arrest for misdemeanor joy riding, Estes allegedly decided he didn’t want to play ball, they said.

“You might say he was a little sarcastic. And when told he would be arrested, he told the officers he didn’t care to go to jail,” Los Gatos police Capt. Jeff Miller said.

Estes allegedly took off on foot into the night, authorities said. Officers gave chase, but to no avail. The last time they saw their man, he had rounded second and was apparently headed for home.

Six days later, the $109,000-a-year pitcher surrendered to Los Gatos police and was charged with misdemeanor joy riding, as well as with escaping officers. He was fingerprinted and released. A court appearance has been set for Jan. 16.

A joy riding conviction could bring a $400 fine, and the escape charge could bring up to a year in county jail. That is, if authorities decide to play hard ball.

“This is a good kid,” said Giants’ spokesman Bob Rose, who declined to comment further on the incident, saying it was a “personal matter.”

“Certain guys in sports are time bombs, but not this kid,” Rose said. “This kid turned down a scholarship to Stanford because he wants to play ball so bad.”

Estes started 11 games in 1996, finishing with a 3-5 record and a 3.60 earned-run average.