clarinews@clarinet.com (09/21/89)
_U_P_I_ _S_p_o_r_t_s_F_e_a_t_u_r_e
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_P_l_e_s_a_c_ _i_s_ _a_ _R_e_l_i_e_v_e_r
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MILWAUKEE (UPI) -- Dan Plesac of the Milwaukee Brewers is known as a
standout reliever, one opposing batters hate to face when the game is on
the line. In the minors, he was feared for other reasons.
``I went from being a wild starting pitcher (in the minors) to
becoming a good relief pitcher,'' said Plesac, who throws a 90-plus mph
fastball along with a slider. ``I didn't like the switch to the bullpen
in 1986, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me.''
Plesac, 27, became the all-time save leader in Brewers history
Saturday when he pitched a hitless ninth inning for his 98th career
save, surpassing Rollie Fingers. It was his 31st save of the season,
which ties a 1971 team record set by Ken Sanders.
``It's something I'm very proud of,'' Plesac said after Milwaukee's
5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. ``I never would have dreamed four
years ago that my career would have taken off like this.''
The Brewers, who selected Plesac in the first round of the 1983
June free agent draft, recognized his potential. But superlative
stoppers aren't made overnight.
``In the minor leagues it's difficult to separate the starters from
the relievers unless you have someone who has come into the organization
as a reliever in the past,'' Bruce Manno, Brewers Farm Director said.
``For the most part, with the strong arms, you try to get them a number
of innings and look for them to improve.''
After Plesac compiled a 29-14 mark in three years as a starter in
the minors, the Brewers decided to give him a chance in 1986 to make the
majors in the bullpen.
``He was not switched (to the bullpen) until he got here (in
1986),'' Manno said. ``In spring training he had an opportunity to make
the club as a relief pitcher. Then he went into the role of a stopper.
He earned that role.''
Plesac has shown marked improvement each year. He earned only 14
saves along with a 10-7 record and 2.97 ERA in his rookie season.
But as his decisions fell, Plesac increased his save totals in 1987
and 1988 to 23 and 30, respectively.
What makes Plesac more satisfied this year is not his 31 saves, but
the fact he's been able to help the team down the stretch, something
that was a problem for him the last two seasons.
In 1987, Plesac injured his left elbow in Cleveland in August
shagging flies in batting practice. Last season, he suffered from
tendinitis in his left shoulder, which limited him to three appearances
after August 19.
``My big concern wasn't to break any save record or career record.
My main objective this season was to pitch all season long and to be
available every night that (Manager) Tom Trebelhorn would like me to
pitch,'' Plesac said.
``It was depressing last season, especially with the club playing
well, to have to sit and watch,'' he said. ``To be an important part of
a club for five months and then the last four weeks to sit and watch and
really have nothing to do with the club whatsoever, it's discouraging.''
Plesac, who has been selected to the American League All-Star squad
for three straight years, has a 3-3 record with a 2.09 ERA this season.
He has 51 strikeouts and 16 walks in 60 innings.
Texas Rangers Manager Bobby Valentine said Plesac, along with
Rangers reliever Jeff Russell and Oakland stopper Dennis Eckersley are
``the elite of the bullpen. They don't give up hits, they don't walk
people, they do their job.''
Valentine, also placed Plesac above Chicago Cubs southpaw stopper
Mitch Williams, who he managed in Texas last season.
Trebelhorn agrees with Valentine's ``elite'' assessment.
``His All-Star status places him there, his peers place him there,
fans place him there and I surely place him on the mound, which
indicates my regard for him,'' he said.
Manno admitted there were minor reservations in 1986 about placing
Plesac in the bullpen.
``One thing we were not sure about in the minor leagues was whether
his arm would be able to bounce back after every (relief) appearance,''
Manno said. ``He's been able to do that and he's one of the best
relievers in baseball.''
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