Majoring In The Minors Pedrique Starts Over Again, This Time As Indians’ Manager

Al Pedrique might be in the major leagues by now if he hadn’t so desperately wanted to be in the major leagues.

A decade before he became the Spokane Indians’ manager, Pedrique was offered a coaching job with the New York Mets.

Most people might have been honored by the suggestion, but Pedrique, then in his mid-20s, thought the Mets had given up on him.

As a player, that is. Pedrique was well on his way to 8 years in the Mets’ minor-league system, certain that his big break was imminent.

The Mets told Pedrique that he was a Triple-A caliber player. They insisted, however, that he’d make a terrific coach.

Pedrique balked. He had hit better than .290 for Triple-A Tidewater (N.Y.) of the International League, so he thought he could help a big-league team.

“My friends and family kept supporting me, telling me not to get down on myself,” Pedrique said.

Although the Mets finally gave Pedrique a brief stint, in 1987, they traded the infielder to Pittsburgh before the season ended.

Ahead of Pedrique lay seven more years in professional ball, much of it in Triple-A. He hit better than .300 with Buffalo (N.Y.) of the American Association and Edmonton (Alberta) of the Pacific Coast League.

He even took some hacks with the Pirates, and, after his release in 1988, the Detroit Tigers. No matter what happens in his life, he’ll never forget playing against Venezuelan countrymen Dave Concepcion and Bo Diaz.

Until last year, Pedrique was still swinging away, hoping the Florida Marlins might need an infielder.

After 17 years in pro ball, however, with a 4-year-old marriage and a 2-year-old daughter, Pedrique started thinking back to the Mets’ beckoning of years ago.

He made calls to a couple of organizations, but last year’s baseball strike had caused widespread hiring freezes.

Then, out of the (Royal) blue, Kansas City director of minor league operations, Bob Hegman, called with a proposal. The Royals had just signed a four-year agreement with Spokane of the Northwest League. Pedrique couldn’t believe his first coaching experience would be as a manager.

“I said, ‘Timeout,”’ said Pedrique, 34. “I thought I would be able to get my feet wet.”

So here he is, back in the minors - short-season Class A, no less - again trying to make the majors.

“I have plenty of time,” Pedrique said. “I hope it’ll take less time than it took me as a player.”

With Pedrique, the Indians should have the perfect combination at manager. The Tucson, Ariz., resident is optimistic (17 years in the minors?), hard-working, fair and communicative.

Pedrique promised himself that he would never emulate the gruff, closed-lipped managers he met along the way.

“I’m not here to be Fidel Castro,” he said.

“If you’re working hard, we’re going to have fun. You’re here to play baseball, so you might as well do it right.”

Pedrique and his staff, pitching coach Theo Shaw and hitting coach Cliff Pastornicky, will have their first look at the 1995 Indians this morning. Spokane is conducting a four-day minicamp in preparation for Thursday’s NWL opener at Yakima.

If the Indians conform to Pedrique’s style, they’ll run when possible, know how to hit-and-run, and crave the do-or-die moments.

“It seems I’m starting over again … but it makes me feel good to give (the players) what they need to get (to higher levels),” Pedrique said, “because I already know what it takes.”

Notes

The Indians added five more players, including UCLA outfielder Brent Schafer, to give them 26 on their roster.

Schafer was a 32nd-round selection in the recent amateur draft. Also drafted by the Royals, and on their way to Spokane, are left fielder Scott Kortmeyer, a 31st-rounder from Grand Canyon (Ariz.) University, and right-handed pitcher Brian Winters, a 66nd-rounder from Louisiana State. The Royals reportedly drafted Winters so late because they didn’t think they could sign him.

Free agent second baseman Joel Nations, a Seattle native who played for Oklahoma City University, and third baseman William Roland, who hit .274 with 35 RBIs for the Royals’ rookie league team at Fort Myers, Fla., are also assigned to Spokane.

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