Clark's attitude draws raves

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer
Padres signed veteran for his clubhouse presence, in addition to his bat | Friday, February 15, 2008 11:30 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- It's easy to see why Tony Clark has enjoyed such a strong reputation throughout each of his previous five stops in baseball.

When the switch-hitting slugger signed with the Padres on Thursday, he knew he was stepping into a role behind first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a player who could start every game this season.

That Clark might have to head to left field to find playing time ---- he has played the outfield once in his big-league career ---- doesn't faze him. But little does.

His easy-going attitude was often praised by his teammates in Arizona the past three season, and Padres general manager Kevin Towers said his counterpart with the Yankees, Brian Cashman, called Clark the best clubhouse guy in his tenure.

As far as Clark is concerned, as long as he's in the hunt for a championship ring, the numbers don't matter.

"That's all I'm looking for, period," said Clark, who went to high school in San Diego and played basketball at San Diego State while in the Detroit Tigers minor league system.

"If we're the last team standing and you look at my stats and I have 20 at-bats, you will not see me upset or hanging my head. It's not about me. It's not about my at-bats. It's about us finding a way to win a championship. If that means 10 at-bats or one at-bat, so be it. If that means 300 at-bats, so be it.

"I'll be prepared."

Once Clark was out of the Diamondbacks' picture this offseason, the Padres were prepared to go after the 13-year veteran with full force.

The 35-year-old ---- a .232 pinch-hitter lifetime with 10 homers and 46 RBIs in 181 at-bats ---- gives the Padres the steady, power-hitting presence their bench lacked when they broke camp for San Diego last March.

Manager Bud Black was particularly impressed with Clark's production in Arizona.

During his three-year stint in the desert, Clark hit .264 with eight homers and 34 RBIs when coming off the bench. He also had 30 homers for the Diamondbacks in 2005.

"He's proven the last few years in his role as a valuable bench player that he produces," Black said. "And the leadership that he brings and the presence and character are all good things."

Towers agreed with Black's assessment. He also was impressed by Cashman's warm characterization of Clark.

"That says a lot," Towers said. "He's a guy who played every day (earlier in his career) and now accepts his role."

Credit the New York Mets for that. Clark said the Mets were so concerned about his ability to adapt to a reserve role when he signed with them in 2003 that they put a waiver in his contract, giving the team the right to void the deal within 45 days.

"It was either that or I no longer had a job in the game, so I had to make that adjustment very quickly," Clark said.

He has rolled with it ever since.

That's why the former high school shortstop and outfielder would consider time in left field if the Padres asked him to play there. It's a position he's played but once ---- with the Mets in 2003 ---- since undergoing back surgery in his freshman year at San Diego State in 1991.

"I've spent some time this offseason working out (in left field)," Clark said. "And as I've told (Black), it's simply just to give him an option. ... If the situation arises, I'm available."

Staff writer John Maffei contributed to this report. Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.