San Pasqual upsets Valhalla in semifinal (1992)

SAN DIEGO — Valhalla High School girls soccer coach David Macky  came to one conclusion while trying to comprehend how his second-seeded team could lose 3-0 to San Pasqual:

Shannon MacMillan.

“She’s such a big difference,” Macky said. “The opportunity was there for us, but she just brings too much to their team.”

Macky was only partly right. Sure, MacMillan scored the first goal in the Eagles’ CIF-Division II county semifinal victory Saturday evening at San Diego High School. And, sure, she led the Eagles’ offensive attack with crisp passes and flashy midfield dribbling.

But it took more than MacMillan’s fine play for San Pasqual to advance to Saturday’s county championship game.

San Pasqual, which won five straight CIF-2A county titles from 1986-90, returned to the finals after a one-year absence on the strength of MacMillan’s effort, two second-half goals from freshman Ryan McManus, a big game from goalkeeper Samantha Klibbe and a strong defensive effort led by Michelle Witt and Erin Blunt.

“This is the best we’ve played,” said MacMillan, a senior who was the 2A player of the year as a sophomore in ’90. “We’re peaking.”

The Eagles (18-3-5) are peaking at the right time, too. They’ll play top-seeded Torrey Pines in the final. Torrey Pines beat Monte Vista 5-2 in their semifinal game Saturday night.

Eagles coach Cem Tont will be shooting for his second county title in two years. He led the La Jolla boys team to the Division III championship in 1991.

“We had a very good game,” Tont said.

It didn’t start that way. The Norsemen (16-4-4) went on the attack early, controlling play for the first 10 minutes. After that, however, it was all Eagles.

MacMillan opened the scoring with about 14 minutes left in the first half. McManus powered the ball through a Valhalla defender, and MacMillan was there to blast it into the left side of the goal.

McManus made it 2-0 less than 30 seconds into the second half when she took a loose ball in the goal box and knocked it into an empty net.

“I don’t know what happened on that one,” Macky said.

McManus completed the scoring with a goal off a corner kick with about 15 minutes left.

“I knew we were going to beat this team,” McManus said. “My heart told me.”

And it didn’t even need MacMillan’s help.

Published in the Times Advocate on March 1, 1992.

 

 

 

 

 

Stewart accepts Towers’ pitch (1997)

SAN DIEGO — It took some cajoling and some soul-searching, but Dave Stewart has agreed to become the Padres’ pitching coach.

When Dan Warthen was fired one day after the season, Padres general manager Kevin Towers turned to Stewart. But Stewart, who was working as a special assistant to Towers, wasn’t sure he wanted the job.

Stewart’s stated goal is to become a GM someday, and he wasn’t sure returning to uniform fit with those plans. And he had another concern.

As a black executive, Stewart felt a responsibility to others who might follow. So he sought advise from several other minorities in baseball front offices, including Yankees GM Bob Watson, Mets assistant GM Omar Minaya, White Sox VP Ken Williams and Cub minor-league director Dave Wilder.

“I wanted to find out what the perception would be, if going back to uniform would be seen as a step back,” Stewart said Tuesday afternoon. “I didn’t want to do anything that would make it more difficult for somebody else to open doors. But in talking to everybody, they said this would help me complete the package, give me a more well-rounded background.”

Before agreeing to take the job, Stewart got assurance from the Padres that he could continue with his current duties during the offseason. He has been a valued adviser to Towers on player personnel moves, but Stewart also has a key role in the team’s efforts to increase its presence in Latin America. He has helped develop working agreements with teams in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico.

“During the winter months, I’ll still be doing what I’m doing now,” Stewart said. “I’ll be working on Latin America, working on the six-year free agents, going to the GM meetings.

“Returning to the field might give me more options. I might want to look at managing down the line.”

The Padres completed last season with a 4.98 ERA, second-worst in the National League and worst in franchise history. Towers was upset about the lack of progress made by the likes of Joey Hamilton, Sean Bergman, Andy Ashby and Tim Worrell and fired Warthen.

Towers tabbed Stewart because he would like Padres pitchers to develop some of the competitive spirit Stewart had during his prime playing days with the Oakland Athletics.

“He has a terrific presence about him,” Towers told reporters in Cleveland, where he was attending the World Series. “He has so much to teach, from the mental side of the game to setting up hitters to approaching the game well before it starts.”

An official announcement on Stewart will be made after the World Series, once final details on his contract have been worked out.

Stewart, 40, went 168-129 in 15 years with Los Angeles, Texas, Oakland and Toronto. He was 8-0 for his career in American League Championship Series play and was MVP of the 1989 World Series.

His ability and approach on the mound can’t be questioned. But will he be able to get the Padres to duplicate it as pitching coach?

For that answer, Stewart again sought advice — this time from St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, his former boss in Oakland. La Russa told him he had all the essentials to become a successful pitching coach.

“He said one of my strengths is that I understand situational pitching,” Stewart said. “I know how to approach a game and set up hitters.”

That is among Warthen’s strengths, too. But he was unable to get Padres pitchers to follow the game plan last season. And Towers was unhappy with more than that. With the exception of Ashby and closer Trevor Hoffman,  Towers found fault with the pitchers’ work ethic. That’s why he wanted a no-nonsense guy like Stewart in the job.

“Mentally, Stewart said, “now I feel I want to do this job. I want to make a difference, help these guys do what they’re capable of doing.”

Published in the North County Times on Oct. 22, 1997.

Unknown Deago to start vs. Mets (2003)

Right-hander Adam Eaton is headed to the disabled list because of a groin strain, and the Padres plan to call up a Double-A pitcher who has only six games of U.S. professional experience.

Roger Deago, a 25-year-old left-hander, will start Saturday at Shea Stadium again the New York Mets. It is expected to be a one-start assignment. Lefty Mike Bynum has the nod tonight, which would have been Eaton’s normal turn in the rotation.

Eaton was injured Sunday afternoon in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He hoped he would not miss a start, but he did not pass muster during a bullpen session Thursday in Montreal.

Deago gets the nod over some more experienced Triple-A pitchers because Saturday falls on his scheduled turn to pitch. He is a veteran of Panama’s national team but had not played in the minor leagues until this year. He is 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA for Double-A Mobile this season.

“I guess scouts didn’t want to take a chance on him because he’s not a big guy and doesn’t throw hard,” said Padres farm director Tye Waller.

Waller said Deago uses a variety of pitches and must rely on precise location. Deago usually throws only 84-85 mph but mixes in various breaking balls, a changeup and a newly developed cutter. Despite the lack of velocity, Deago has 32 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings this year.

Published in the North County Times on May 9, 2003.

Padres’ Nevin preparing for a future as a manager (2002)

SAN DIEGO — Phil Nevin is at the peak of his career His $34 million contract kicks in next year, giving him financial security for life.

Yet Nevin already is thinking about his next job.

No worries for Padres fans. Nevin didn’t spend the Monday off-day poring over the want ads. He’s not going anywhere any time soon.

But Nevin’s playing days will end eventually, and he knows exactly what he wants to do then. In fact, every day he spends in uniform is training for his next goal. Every baseball experience is recorded in his mental files, ready to be used on the next job.

What is that job?

“I’d like to manage someday,” said Nevin, the Padres’ first baseman. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine my life without baseball, whether I’m playing or not.

“I think I took this game for granted for a long time. First and foremost, I think it would be fun. I love the mental side of the game. And it’s a way to give back.”

Phil Nevin in charge of a big-league ballclub? The same Phil Nevin who can turn any piece of equipment into a projectile with one flare of his temper? The same Phil Nevin who has been tossed from a game this year? The same Phil Nevin who launched into a public tirade in the dugout at Pac Bell Park last season? The same Phil Nevin who once tore apart the Astros’ clubhouse when he was demoted to the minors? The same Phil Nevin who turned a rookie’s wardrobe into ashes late last season?

Yup, the same Phil Nevin.

And to those who watch him on a daily basis, there’s nothing surprising about it.

“Let me tell you,” said Padres manager Bruce Bochy, “Nevin knows the game. He loves the game. He knows the league, the players. When I talk to him and listen to his comments, you can tell he’s got a great feel for the game.

“I think he’d be a great manager.”

Then Bochy couldn’t resist putting tongue in cheek.

“I don’t know how many games he’d stay in,” he added.

Even if it’s more perception than reality, Nevin knows his reputation as a hothead — even if it was earned mostly by youthful indiscretions — is something he will have to address once he seriously seeks a dugout job. There are a few Billy Martin types who have thrived as managers, but they are vastly outnumbered by the Tom Kelly, Walter Alston types who have the patience and staying power to deal with the bad times as well as the good.

Take Larry Bowa, for example. Like Nevin, he was a fiery player who left it all on the field. But he was a terrible manager when he got his first shot with the Padres in 1987. He lasted less than 1 1/2 seasons and had to wait another 13 years for a second chance. Bowa toned down his act, though he hardly has become milquetoast, and earned National League manager of the year honors with the Phillies last year.

“I don’t think I’d be a Larry Bowa kind of guy,” Nevin said. “No disrespect there. He’s fiery and all. But I think the important part of managing is communicating.”

One thing Bowa was not prepared for when he first became a manager was failure. For all his intensity, Bowa spent his entire big-league career as a star. He was a started in his rookie year and remained one for 15 seasons, becoming a backup only in his final season.

Nevin, on the other hand, has been humbled by the game. He understands failure, but he also has experienced what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

He came in cocky, then was knocked down. Form being a college player of the year and first overall draft pick, Nevin had to learn to survive as a utilityman just to avoid the minor leagues. He became a part-time catcher, causing him to view the game in a new way. No longer was he focused only on his responsibilities, but he came to understand what should be happening everywhere on the field.

Even after breaking out as a star with the Padres, he has remembered the tough times. He remains a student of the game. He took advantage of being around Tony Gwynn for three seasons. He bends Bochy’s ear whenever possible. First-base coach Alan Trammell, another who might become a big-league manager someday, is a big influence.

“I feel like I’ve played for some great managers — Sparky Anderson, Buddy Bell, especially the guy here (Bochy),” Nevin said. “I find myself watching the game and strategizing, playing along with what the other guys do. It’s just fun, and it keeps you in the game mentally.”

It just might keep Nevin in the game for decades to come.

Published in the North County Times on April 30, 2002.