THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100627
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Al Osuna, the lefthanded pitcher who walked out on the Norfolk Tides three days ago, said Wednesday that the only thing he regrets is ``leaving a great bunch of guys. I feel like I performed well for them.''
But Osuna, reached at his Florida home, said that he was disgruntled over the way he was being used by the Tides - flipping from relieving to spot starting, as opposed to relieving exclusively - and that ``I had a bunch of minor things build up. I think it was simmering and I probably did snap a little bit.''
The Mets signed him in June to relieve, and that was the role in which he wanted to stay, said Osuna, a 30-year-old who has spent parts of five seasons in the major leagues. He was slated to make his fifth start in 15 appearances when he left the team Monday.
``Going back and forth is not an easy adjustment period for anyone,'' said Osuna, who was 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA. ``I didn't feel that they were interested in me as a reliever.''
However, Tides pitching coach Bob Apodaca said Osuna mostly expressed disappointment over not being called up to the Mets last week when Dave Telgheder and Don Florence, also a lefthanded reliever, were promoted.
Apodaca said he talked to Osuna on Sunday and told him that Telgheder and Florence were more deserving, but that Osuna would now get the many bullpen opportunities that had been going to Florence.
``I feel violated,'' Apodaca said. ``He knew we were short on pitching. He knew he was going to start Monday. ... I don't care what happens to that man.''
Ironically, Osuna's agent, former major league pitcher and ex-Tide Joe Sambito, was at Harbor Park on Wednesday to visit another client, Tides pitcher Paul Wilson. Sambito said he talked with Osuna before he bolted but ``it's not my job to tell a client what to do.''
Osuna has been placed on baseball's disqualified list by the Mets, which means he is their property at least until next spring, when they must decide whether to offer him a contract.
Osuna said he didn't know what he would do now, but that he was not concerned his departure would soil his reputation. ``If anybody has any questions about it, they can ask me about it,'' he said. ``I'd hope they would do that before making any assumptions.''
MATERNITY LEAVE: Shortstop Rey Ordonez was still in Miami on Wednesday and missed his second game in a row. He left for home Tuesday to be with his wife, who gave birth to a baby girl. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``Going back and forth (from reliever to starter) is not an easy
adjustment,'' ex-Tide Al Osuna said.
by CNB