Big Cat chasing Hame-like numbers - If Galarraga makes Giants' roster, career 400th HR, 1,400th RBI possible

www.pressdemocrat.com February 25, 2003 By BOB PADECKY THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In his California office this winter, Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti came to a necessary if not cold conclusion: The 2002 Giants came within five outs of winning the World Series but they were not perfect.

"If we had one weakness," Colletti said, "it's that we didn't have a strong right-handed bat coming off the bench."

Meanwhile, at his Florida home, Andres Galarraga also came to a conclusion.

"I am only 14 homers from having 400 for my career and only 19 RBIs from having 1,400," said Galarraga, also known as the Big Cat. "I have had a good career but maybe if I get 400 homers and 1,400 RBIs, I have a better chance to make the Hall of Fame."

And so a sort of marriage of convenience was born. The Giants needed right-handed power coming off the bench and Galarraga has that right-handed bat that produced 386 homers. So Galarraga, 41, was signed to a minor-league non-roster contract, one that offers no guarantees.

Galarraga will compete with Damon Minor, 29, to be J.T. Snow's backup at first base. The early buzz around spring training is that Galarraga is still fit and looks to have the inside track. Besides the 17-year career and all those homers and RBIs, Galarraga also has something going for him that Minor doesn't.

"When Andres was with us in 2001," Colletti said, "his presence in the clubhouse had a significant impact."

And if there is one constant in the Brian Sabean-Colletti era, it's clubhouse presence. From Kenny Lofton to Ellis Burks to Reggie Sanders to Shawon Dunston to Mark Gardner and others, the Giants have sought stabilizing influences. As anyone who has even had just a chance encounter with Galarraga has found out, he might as well as have "STABILIZING INFLUENCE" tattooed across his forehead.

"When I retire I want to be remembered as a nice guy," Galarraga said.

Of course, if you believe what the late Leo Durocher once said about nice guys -- they finish last -- then Galarraga should never have played in five All-Star Games, three division series and one National League Championship Series. Galarraga ranks in the top 100 in doubles (91st, 429), home runs (40th, 386), grand slams (40th, 8) and RBIs (59th, 1,381). He's won the Silver Slugger Award twice. He is a formidable presence, whether he smiles or not.

But Sabean and Colletti never have fancied themselves as gatherers of worn-out ballplayers who just want to pad their statistics and their pension. Galarraga is not here to be just a wise old soul holding court in the locker room.

"His enthusiasm for the game is still obvious," Colletti said. "He is still vibrant. He's a quality person and a quality player."

Galarraga is a man of social responsibility. He admits freely that he feels obligated to act in a civilized and decent way because the whole country of Venezuela is watching their native son. Among Venezuelan-born big leaguers, Galarraga has the most homers and RBIs.

"I'm probably the biggest (sports) hero, the biggest role model in my country," Galarraga said. "I know people are watching me."

His legend was enhanced considerably when he fought and won a battle with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1999. Galarraga missed the season and returned the next year with Atlanta to hit 28 homers and drive in 100 runs. He has hit 54 homers and driven in 209 runs since 1999. He inspires more than Venezuelan baseball fanatics.

"Andres has a view of life," Colletti said, "that many players do not have."

A big man at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, Galarraga doesn't buckle under the weight of such expectations.

"It's why I play hard," Galarraga said. "It's important to respect the game. It's important (that) people see me as a nice guy."

If that's the test, Andres Galarraga can retire today. He's already made the Decent Human Being Hall of Fame.

Contact staff writer Bob Padecky at 521-5490 or bpadecky@pressdemocrat.com.