NL NOTEBOOK: REPERTOIRE HURTING PARK.Byline: Tony Jackson
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer Chan Ho Park has reached the final season of that five-year, $65 million contract the Texas Rangers Texas Rangers, mounted fighting force organized (1835) during the Texas Revolution. During the republic they became established as the guardians of the Texas frontier, particularly against Native Americans. used to lure him away from the Dodgers a few winters ago. But now, in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. , he has become one of the most expensive middle relievers. The Padres won't need a fifth starter for the first time until next Saturday, at which point Park might have a chance to get back into the rotation. But the club also has veteran starter Woody Williams as a candidate to draw that assignment, and the fact Park didn't allow a run, didn't walk a batter and recorded three saves while pitching in relief for Korea in the World Baseball Classic
"We wanted someone to stabilize our bullpen, and with Chan Ho's success in the WBC WBC white blood cell; see leukocyte. WBC abbr. white blood cell WBC, n stands for white blood cell. , we felt like he could help us there," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. Another factor that could hurt Park's cause is a horrendous Cactus League performance as a starter, something he attributed to the time he missed while at the WBC. Whatever the reason, Park clearly isn't the elite-level pitcher he was while with the Dodgers. There are any number of possible reasons why, but Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley thinks it might have something to do with Park's extensive repertoire, which includes a fastball, heavy sinker Sinker A bond whose payments are provided by the issuer's sinking fund. Notes: A portion of these bonds are retired by the issuer each year. See also: Sinking Fund, Super Sinker Sinker , four-seam fastball, two different curveballs and two sliders sliders a species of tortoise kept as pets. They have a black shell and a red stripe behind the eye. Called also Chrysemys scripta elegans, red-eared sliders. . In hopes of giving Park more consistent command and velocity, Balsley would like to eliminate one of the curves and one of the sliders. --Long haul: Mindful of the fact his club, the first since 1900 to start six rookies on Opening Day, doesn't figure to win for a while, Florida owner Jeffrey Loria sent a message last week that he won't blame others for his own decision to slash payroll. Loria extended the contracts of GM Larry Beinfest, assistant GM Michael Hill, vice president of player personnel Dan Jennings and vice president of player development and scouting Jim Fleming through the 2010 season. It was a good-faith gesture for what has proved to be a cohesive group. tony.jackson@dailynews.com (818) 713-3675 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: PARK |
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