Brewers re-sign Karl

With the team's move to the NL,
the ex-UH pitcher looks forward
to hitting

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- Former University of Hawaii pitcher Scott Karl, who tied a Brewers record with eight consecutive victories last summer, agreed yesterday to a three-year contract with Milwaukee.

Scott Karl

Karl, a 26-year-old left-hander, overcame a slow start to go 10-13 with a 4.47 ERA in 32 games. He was 8-3 after the All-Star Game, winning eight straight decisions from July 15 to Aug. 29.

Karl led the team in wins in 1996, finishing at 13-9 with three complete games. He is 29-29 with a 4.55 ERA in 89 games in his three seasons in Milwaukee.

"It's just the security I've always looked for," Karl said.

With Milwaukee's switch to the National League, Brewers pitchers will have to bat next season.

"I can try to teach myself how to hit," Karl said. "That's the first thing."

Karl made $250,000 last season and had been eligible for salary arbitration. Financial terms of the new contract were not disclosed.

"Scott is going to be an important member of our starting rotation for the next three years," Brewers general manager Sal Bando said. "He has the potential to be one of the top left-handed pitchers in the National League."

Karl pitched for the Rainbows from 1990-92 and was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 1992.