T.O.'S BRYAN COREY DEALS WITH BEING ODD MAN OUT.

Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer

Last offseason provided Bryan Corey with plenty of highs and lows. This one could be even more eventful.

Corey, a right-handed reliever from Thousand Oaks, was in the Arizona Diamondbacks system last year at this time and part of the team's 40-man roster. But in early December, the Diamondbacks signed free-agent Randy Johnson. It meant someone had to be dropped from the roster and Corey was it.

Although he had a good season at Triple-A Tucson and even pitched three games for the Diamondbacks in May of 1998, Corey was cut.

``You know, there were a handful of guys they could choose from,'' Corey said. ``I just happened to be the one. It was tough, but it's something you can't control. I liked the Diamondbacks organization and was comfortable.''

Corey also makes his offseason home in the Phoenix area.

It didn't take long, though, for Corey to hear from another organization. The Detroit Tigers, Corey's original organization, claimed him off waivers on Dec. 7 and added him to their 40-man roster. It appeared Corey would enter the 1999 season as he left it, albeit with a different team. Then the Tigers obtained Gregg Jeffries and they needed to remove someone from their 40-man roster.

Once again, Corey got the news.

``I knew something like that happening was a possibility,'' Corey said. ``But like in Arizona, it was out of my hands.''

Not being part of the 40-man roster might have hurt Corey's chances of making the major leagues in 1999, but instead of fretting over the situation, Corey decided to work hard and possibly set himself up for even bigger rewards in 2000.

As 1999 comes to a close, there is a chance that he could be called up to the Tigers when rosters expand on Sept. 1.

``I've been talked to about it,'' Corey said, ``but there has been no decision. So I'm not sure. I would love to go. It would be quite a thrill to be at Tiger Stadium for the last game there. I really want to prove to them that this year hasn't been a fluke.''

Regardless of what happens, Corey will become a minor-league free agent. Players who have completed six years in the minors and are not part of a team's 40-man roster are free to sign with another club after their final game of the season.

``I'll have a chance to go out and explore other opportunities,'' Corey said. ``I get a chance to control my own destiny. I'm 25-years old, so I'm not too old yet. I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I know I can pitch in the major leagues. I know what it takes. I just need the chance.''

Corey has performed well this year. With just over a week remaining in the season, he is 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA.

``My goal this season was to put up good numbers and I think I did that,'' Corey said.

``I've pitched in several different roles,'' Corey said. ``I was the mop-up guy to start and kind of moved around in a rotation with the other relievers.''

No matter the outcome, Corey can look to a brighter future, which includes his impending marriage.

``This is going to be a great offseason for me,'' Corey said. ``I'm looking forward to see how things work out.''

Corey file

Name: Bryan Corey

Team: Toledo Mud Hens; Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers

Position: Pitcher

Height/weight: 6-foot-0/170

Bats/throws: Right/right

Birthdate: Oct. 21, 1973

Notable: Graduated from Thousand Oaks High in 1991. . . . Best season was in 1996 at Class-A Fayetteville, N.C., when he was 6-4 with a 1.21 ERA. He saved 34 games and struck out 101 in 82 innings. . . . Made his major- league debut May 13, 1998 with the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Milwaukee Brewers, giving up a two-run homer to Bob Hamelin. . . . Also pitched against Pittsburgh (May 16) and the Dodgers (May 23) before returning to Triple-A Tucson.

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: Corey file (See text)