[ BASEBALL ]
Three professional baseball veterans with Hawaii connections must wonder if they will get another shot in the big leagues, while a fourth seeks a route out of the low minors. Local players battle in minors
By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comMark Johnson, Keith Luuloa and Jay Spurgeon know what it is like to play in the major leagues although their time in 'The Show' was brief. That has not dulled their desire to return despite mixed reviews from the 2002 season.
Jeff Martin, who pitched through his junior year at Kailua High School and reached the Double-A level two years ago, and Luuloa have been professionals for eight years. Johnson and Spurgeon, teammates with the Hawaii Rainbows, just completed their sixth season.
Martin, Luuloa and Johnson become free agents Tuesday. Spurgeon qualifies after the 2003 season.
Johnson began the year with Milwaukee's Triple-A farm team, Indianapolis in the International League, but, after four starts, two good and two not so good, he was released. Two months later he signed with Toledo in the same league, went to Erie (Pa.) in the Eastern League for 12 days when Toledo was overstocked with pitchers, then returned to the Mud Hens for the playoffs.
"I ended up doing pretty good. Detroit showed interest in wanting me back and at least I'll get a shot at making a roster in spring training," said Johnson.
"I was real happy with the Detroit organization this year. I'll just keep doing my thing, running, lifting and stretching until late December, when I start throwing again."
Johnson was 2-2 with a 7.97 earned run average at Indianapolis. After being signed by the Tigers, he was a combined 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA at Toledo and Erie.
Spurgeon missed half of the 2001 season with an injury to his left shoulder suffered when he dove for a bunt up the first-base line while pitching for Rochester in the International League. Fortunately, it wasn't his pitching arm.
He was back with the Red Wings this year, a team that posted the worst record in the IL. Spurgeon's statistics weren't that great. He was 4-14 with a 5.38 ERA and surrendered 184 hits in 154 innings.
"Jay had a good year. He's sound and progressing toward becoming a major-league pitcher. We want to see continued progression," said Don Buford, director of minor-league operations for the Baltimore Orioles.
Spurgeon had a different take on his season.
"It was a real bad one, not a fun one. The team record isn't a reflection of my record. The ERA, I can control that, but I certainly did give up more hits than innings pitched," Spurgeon said.
"I got off to a good start, then had about six starts where I was horrendous. I had a great July, but no wins. There was no consistency."
An eighth-round selection by Baltimore in 1997, the 6-foot-6 right-hander likes the Orioles organization, but, knowing he will be a six-year free agent, says 2003 is huge for him.
"I have to improve. The past won't help. I want to get back to the big leagues. I had a taste and I know what I'm missing," Spurgeon said.
Luuloa shuttled between Indianapolis, where he played little, and Huntsville in the Class AA Southern League, where he played every infield position.
"It was a roller coaster. I thought I would play every day in Indianapolis, but there was no chance. I sat for two months," said Luuloa.
When Greg Riddoch, who signed the Molokai High School graduate as a free agent in the offseason, called and asked if he was willing to go down to Huntsville, Luuloa jumped at the opportunity.
"The phrase is 'you are not going to get a job next year sitting on the bench.' I had the best time in Huntsville. I never met a better group of ball players," said Luuloa, who was addressed as "grandpa" one day on the team bus.
"I quickly asked if anyone else was 27 and Derek Lee, a left-handed pitcher said he was, but his birthday is in August. I won't be 28 until Christmas Eve, so I wasn't 'grandpa' anymore."
Luuloa would like to re-sign with Milwaukee, but it will depend on some changes he hopes take place in the Brewers' front office.
"It was my first time in the Southern League. I think it was OK. It's hot and humid and balls don't carry too much. You have to hit the ball hard or away from people," said Luuloa.
Martin reentered organized ball this year after pitching for San Angelo in the independent Texas-Louisiana (now Central) League a year ago after being released by Pittsburgh.
The San Diego Padres were interested in the 25-year-old right-hander after a tryout, but procrastinated in making a solid offer. When Cincinnati Reds director of player development Tim Naehring put a concrete offer on the table, Martin signed.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity. I've really only pitched about four of the eight years I've been playing because of injuries," said Martin. "Pitching a year of independent ball injury-free was good. I showed promise. I thought signing with the Reds would provide a faster route up, but little did I know it would be the exact opposite. It's pretty much a crapshoot. The Padres had a lot of movement."
Martin was 4-5 with a 3.23 ERA, first as a reliever, then as a starter for Stockton in the Class A California League.
"I want to keep playing until I feel I can't do it anymore. My agent will play with some numbers and send out resumes," said Martin. "I want to go somewhere where I have a chance to do more than be a fill-in guy."