Bumbry’s Still Right; but Padres Lose, 6-2

SAN DIEGO â€”  The Padres spent more than a month in Yuma, Ariz., this spring (it only seemed like a year), so it wasn’t until their get-away day that team members saw Al Bumbry’s luggage. And one of his bags was worth remembering, only because it was big, bulky and said “Baltimore Oriolesâ€� on it.

He technically ripped the thing off from the Orioles, his former team, because you’re supposed to return all luggage when you leave an organization. But he had played 12 years in Baltimore, and that apparently entitled him (he says) to take it with him.

Still, the Orioles have said nothing about it, nor are they likely to. Al Bumbry gave them 12 good years, and that’s good as in not making anyone angry. He was never booed in Baltimore, he says, and that’s news because Baltimore, being just a few hours south of Philly, knows how to boo.

Reggie Jackson, for instance, was booed badly when he played in Baltimore. Reggie must have said something.

As for Bumbry, he says only positive things, which is probably why it was hard for the Orioles to let him go (he was later signed by the Padres) and why he will be missed by the community there. Al Bumbry, his parents being responsible, learned a long time ago that it’s important not to take anything for granted, important to be nice to people.

“Looking back, my past made me a much stronger person,� he said before the Padres’ 6-2 exhibition loss to the Minnesota Twins Saturday night at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Since his past has passed, it is naturally much easier to speak about. He was raised in King George, Va., a rural setting 15 miles from the metropolis of Fredericksburg, Va. He was one of nine kids. His mom cleaned other kids’ homes. His dad was up before the sun, to go to work as a construction man. There wasn’t all that much money around.

He remembers that it was fun, that he had a good time growing up. But he remembers that even if his dad wasn’t home for dinner on time, he did have to be home, or else he’d be in trouble. His mom was strict. She cleaned up other people’s homes, but her children would not run loose, would end up with better jobs.

He learned things. He went to Vietnam in 1969, serving 11 months as a platoon leader before he even knew what platooning was. He must have done something right there because he earned a Bronze Star before being discharged as a 1st lieutenant in May of 1971.

He made it to the big leagues for good in 1973, and he learned things again. Kids would do anything to touch him, would do anything to have him sign their piece of paper. This was strange. They’d ask him questions, ask why he wore a batting glove when he ran the bases.

He realized they loved him even though they didn’t know him. He figured it was best to be nice to them because his mom had taught him to treat others as they treated you.

“You know,� he says, “some kids would give their arms to be baseball players.

“For me . . . It wasn’t easy growing up. I learned to appreciate what I have now. And I’m more sympathetic to people who don’t have it.�

Other ballplayers aren’t like this.

“Most are, but they don’t show it,� he said.

He’s always shown it. When he’d go over to pick up the girls he’d take out on dates, the girl’s little sister or brother would love him. He noticed this happened a lot. That told him something.

“I’m good with kids,� he realized.

Soon, he wasn’t so good with the bat, not so fast with his feet. Last year, he didn’t impress the Orioles, and since he was going on 37, they let him go. He knew something was up last season when a young guy named John Shelby played ahead of him against right-handers who he’d hit very hard before.

“The Orioles felt I didn’t have a year last year that indicated I could produce in the future,� he said.

So they let him go, and said, out of courtesy, that they’d bring him to camp if he couldn’t find a job. Then they went out and signed Fred Lynn.

So he came to San Diego as a non-roster player.

“It’s sort of like Sugar Ray Leonard when he injured his eye,� Bumbry said. “He felt good and came back when people couldn’t understand why. Hey, he just hadn’t wanted to retire . . . My competitiveness is still there, just like that. I didn’t feel I was ready to retire.�

So he’s here, having made the team as the fifth outfielder. Now that Carmelo Martinez (hand) is injured, Bumbry will platoon with rookie Jerry Davis in left field. He’s important again. He will start again.

Some nice guys can finish first.

Padre Notes

After Saturday’s game, Padre Manager Dick Williams said Mark Thurmond will be his fourth starting pitcher, while Dave Dravecky will be his fifth starter. Earlier, it had been vice-versa, and this is a significant change only because the fifth starter will spend the early portion of the season in the bullpen. Pitching coach Galen Cisco explained the change this way: “The guy (Thurmond) won 14 games for the Padres last year and probably would be less effective out of the bullpen than some other guys. He didn’t have an outstanding spring, but we should give the guy a chance to start.� Dravecky shouldn’t be perturbed by this, since he’s used to a relievers’ role, much more used to it than Thurmond is. That may have had something to do with this decision, although Cisco didn’t say so. . . . Shortstop Garry Templeton was the leadoff hitter Saturday night, as Williams continues experiments there because of Alan Wiggins’ knee injury. Williams said the leadoff hitter for opening day will not be decided until opening day. Speculation: It’ll be either Templeton, left fielder Jerry Davis, infielder Jerry Royster or infielder Tim Flannery. . . . Pitcher Eric Show gave up his first earned runs of the spring Saturday night, including home runs by the Twins’ Kent Hrbek and Tom Brunansky.