Padre Notebook : Kruk Evokes Images of Another Heavy Hitter

Every time Steve Boros watches John Kruk, he envisions Smokey Burgess.

Burgess, second all-time in career pinch-hits, batted left-handed. He kept defenses confused by hitting to all fields. And he was short and stocky.

Ditto Kruk.

“Smokey was a little heavier than John is,” Boros said. “Smokey didn’t have the kind of body you associate with a ballplayer. Neither does John.”

Actually, the 5-foot 10-inch Kruk looks a lot better than he did last year. Whereas Kruk weighed 215 pounds in 1985, he has dropped to 190 pounds.

Kruk, who played for Las Vegas last season, was a heavy hitter in more ways than one, leading the Pacific Coast League with a .351 average. Even so, his weight gained him more notoriety than his bat.

“I heard it all the time,” Kruk said. “People would call me a fat slob who couldn’t play. When I’d get two or three hits against them, they would change their minds after a while.

“Everywhere I went last year, people asked me how I could be a ballplayer. Even though I’ve dropped 25 pounds since last year, I probably still don’t look like a ballplayer. What is the definition of a ballplayer? Do you need to be 6-4 and weigh 220? Pete Rose is short and stocky. And look at Tony Gwynn. He has a big butt and big thighs. He doesn’t look like a ballplayer.”

In Saturday’s 7-4 win against the Angels, Kruk looked like a candidate for the Padre roster. He singled to left field in both at-bats, stole a base and drove in a run.

Kruk is contesting for one of the two reserve outfield openings with Bobby Brown, Jerry Davis, Bobby Clark, James Steels and Rusty Tillman.

“It’s going to be tough on John, but he has responded to the challenge so far,” Boros said. “Every time I see him, I’m a little more impressed with the way he handles things. He grows on you a little bit.”

Just like Smokey Burgess used to.

Padre Notes

Tony Gwynn, Graig Nettles and John Kruk had two hits apiece Saturday. Kevin McReynolds and Carmelo Martinez both drove in two runs. . . . The Angels defeated the Padres in a morning B game, 5-3. San Diego’s most impressive play occurred when Bip Roberts scored Mario Ramirez on a squeeze bunt. Padre outfielders Bobby Brown and Bobby Clark collided on a fly ball but remained in the game. Clark had a sore buttocks afterward. . . . Terry Kennedy said he will attempt to catch in today’s finale of the three-game series against the Angels. Kennedy suffered back spasms walking from the clubhouse to the stadium Friday. . . . Goose Gossage will pitch one inning today, Steve Boros said. Gossage has been slowed by soreness in his right knee, which underwent arthroscopic surgery last summer for a torn articulating cartilage. . . . Today’s game will be televised at noon by Channel 39. The Padres are scheduled to pitch Dave Dravecky and Craig Lefferts.