UH’s Bauer lands job in
Giants organization

Former UH pitcher Ricky Bauer has agreed to a free-agent contract with the San Francisco Giants. He reports today to the team's spring training facilities in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Bauer received a telephone call Saturday from Lee Carballo, a national crosschecker in San Francisco's scouting department.

"He asked me if I wanted to play ball and would I do it for $1,000," said Bauer, awakened by the 7 a.m. call.

"I told him 'Definitely, yes' and he asked me when I could be there. I asked him 'When do you want me there?' and he said 'Sunday or Monday'. I told him I'd be there Monday."

Bauer, who has done some throwing and running since the Hawaii Rainbows' season ended, will either be assigned to the Giants in the Arizona League, a rookie circuit, or to the Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Volcanoes in the Class A rookie Northwest League.

The right-hander is sure his uncle, Lenn Sakata, who manages the Giants' Class A San Jose Giants in the California League, put in a good word for Bauer.

"Basically this is my second chance. My uncle stuck his neck out for me. I did not have a very good season at all (with the 'Bows). Everyone can see that. I'm just thankful he put his reputation on the line for me," Bauer said.

Bauer, who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox after his senior year at Mid-Pacific Institute, was a UH co-captain this past year and was the coaches' preseason choice for Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.

His comment at that news last February was, "I would much rather be pitcher of the year at the end of the season."

That did not happen and Bauer is still questioning himself about what did occur his senior year at UH.

"I really don't know. Felt fine. I was mentally into it. I just hit a funk and could not get out of it. I guess that's baseball," said Bauer. "I'm about a season overdue for a change."

He appeared in 19 games, 10 as a starter for the 'Bows, was 4-4 with a 5.52 earned-run average, walked 16 and struck out 42 in 60 1/3 innings.