Mr. Smith goes to San Diego

Tim Graham

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Pete Smith's first inning wasn't perfect, but the Las Vegas Stars starter certainly was puzzled when he was pulled before the start of the second.

Thursday night at Cashman Field, he gave up a single to Calgary Cannons' leadoff hitter Tony Beasley, who promptly stole second. Smith came back, though, forcing a fly out and striking out the last two to stop the run from scoring.

But once the right-hander reached the dugout, Stars manager Jerry Royster told him he was done.

"I wasn't sure for a few seconds what Jerry was doing right then," Smith said.

Smith got halfway up the stairs leading to the clubhouse before Royster was able to flag him down and gave him the reason: Smith was going back to the majors.

For the first time since June 1995, Smith will be pitching in the big leagues when the Padres activate him Saturday in Cincinnati.

"It's been a long journey back," the 31-year-old said. "It's been a year and a half now of hard work, learning how to pitch."

It is uncertain why San Diego made Smith its seventh call-up from Las Vegas since April 23, but according to Padres general manager Kevin Towers, seated behind home plate during the Stars' 7-6 extra-inning win, it is not a disabled list transaction.

"He's not a replacement," said Towers, who would not say which Padres player will get demoted because the player doesn't know yet. "This is not a short-term fix. It's not a move for four or five days. It's a chance for Smith to stay with us for a while."

Smith expected to have that opportunity out of spring training. The veteran of nine major-league seasons with the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds had an effective preseason. Although he didn't get any decisions or saves, he posted a 3.00 ERA, striking out five and walking four in 12 innings. Opposing batters hit just .205 against him.

"He had a very good spring training," Towers said. "He probably pitched well enough to make the team."

But for the final spot on the staff, the Padres went with Dario Veras, who pitched superbly to close camp. That forced Smith to Las Vegas for the second straight season.

"Going into this spring, I was feeling great," Smith said. "But when they sent me down, I just told myself 'Maybe now is not the right time.'"

In 33 2/3 innings over five starts for the Stars this year, Smith is 3-2 with 24 strikeouts and six walks. His ERA is a deceiving 4.28, but take away a poor outing April 20 at Edmonton and it drops to 2.41.

"I've become a much better pitcher since I've been here," said Smith, who went 11-9 with a 4.95 ERA last year. "I've learned more from Jerry Royster, (former pitching coach) Galen Cisco and (current pitching coach) Sid Monge in the last year and a half than I learned in the other seven years combined. This is a great tribute to them."

Added Towers: "Sometimes players blessed with a good, live arm take a few years to learn how to use it."

Coincidentally, Towers and Smith's agents, power brokers Randy and Alan Hendricks, had a gentleman's agreement that if Smith wasn't called up to the Padres by May 15, Towers would trade Smith to a big-league squad that needed him. Towers claims "several teams" inquired about Smith in spring training.

Nevertheless, Smith admits he had doubts about ever reaching the majors again.

"It's in the back of your head, but that's what keeps you going" he said. "You have to keep fighting forward. The doubt gives you the drive."

That's why Smith feels he'll enjoy his latest big-league stay even more than any of his others, which included a World Series appearance with the Braves in 1992.

"I'll appreciate it more," said Smith, who owns a 35-60 career record with a 4.40 ERA in the majors. "I was 21 the first time I was called up, and I was awestruck, pitching against guys I was watching in high school. This time it wasn't handed to me. I had to work to get back."