Minor-league pitchers hope they can stick

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Monday, March 14, 2005 9:21 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- He's an insurance policy, and he knows it. Still, Joe Dawley chases the dream.

Since 1993, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander has made 20 stops in his professional baseball career, pitching in a grand total of eight big-league games ---- six with Atlanta in 2002 and '03 and two with Cleveland last season.

For four seasons, Dawley was pigeonholed in the independent Western League, pitching for Palm Springs and Chico before eventually reaching the big leagues. He signed with the Padres as a free agent in January.

"The Padres made no promises," said Dawley, who graduated from Canyon Springs High in Moreno Valley and was an all-conference performer at Riverside City College. "My No. 1 goal is to pitch well and show them I can get it done. I want to make it hard for them to cut me."

Dawley, however, has virtually no chance of making the team.

The Padres' five starting slots are wrapped up, and six of the bullpen spots are locked. The 12th position is a struggle involving Blaine Neal, Steve Sparks and Randy Williams.

So why do men such as Dawley, Brian Falkenborg and Danny Patterson come to camp? Whey do they keep chasing the dream?

"When you're as close to the big leagues as those guys are, you're just looking for an opportunity," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. "They all hope that over an extended period of time, they can show you what they can do and establish themselves as major leaguers.

"As long as you have a uniform on, you have a chance to pitch in the big leagues."

Dawley has pitched great this spring. In four games, he is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA.

Falkenborg, who has made 14 professional stops and pitched in eight big-league games since signing in 1996, is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four games.

Patterson, with 26 stops and 350 big-league games under his belt since 1990, has a 9.00 ERA in four spring appearances.

"All of those guys are throwing well, and I'd take any of them or all three on my staff," Bochy said. "They probably won't make it, and it won't be because of their performance. It's a numbers game. We just have too many good pitchers in camp. I'm sure that gets old for them after a while."

Dawley made his big-league debut with the Braves in 2002, striking out the only batter he faced. He made the Braves' Opening Day roster in 2003, but had an 18.00 ERA after five appearances and was sent down to Triple-A Richmond.

Last season, Dawley got back to the big leagues with the Indians and started a late-season game in Anaheim before a sold-out crowd.

"I think that's the kind of thing they look for, experience," Dawley said. "Those experiences make you mentally tough. We keep doing this because we love the game of baseball, love to pitch.

"I love being on the mound, pitching in tough situations when called on. And as long as there is an opportunity to pitch in the big leagues, I'll keep trying."

In 2000, Dawley thought that window had closed.

After the four seasons in the independent league, he was signed by Atlanta. A year later, though, he underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery and had to start all over.

"Independent ball was a tough road because back then (1996-98), it wasn't very organized," Dawley said. "I doubted myself for a long while, but realized that wasn't me and decided I needed to get it together and get back.

"But it was really tough after the surgery. I tried to stay positive, and got great support from my family. And the Braves stuck with me."

All indications are that the Padres plan to stick with Dawley, Falkenborg and Patterson. All three will probably end up in Triple-A Portland as veteran insurance ---- a phone call away if someone on the big-league staff falters or is injured.

"Once you get a taste of the big leagues, you don't want to go backward," Dawley said. "So as long as there is an opportunity to pitch, you take it. If I'm sent to Triple-A, I'll go. I know the situation here, so I can't be (ticked) if I'm sent down. You can't let yourself get caught in the politics in the game.

"The Padres have given me a chance, and it would be great to pitch for them this season, help them win a pennant. But someone is always watching, so if I don't make it here, maybe I'll make it somewhere."

Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.

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