Monday, April 6, 1998 | 8:49 a.m.
THIS ISN'T the first time the Las Vegas Stars have gone into the season looking not only impressive but downright formidable on paper. In fact, it's about the 10th consecutive year.
But, more often than not, something goes awry and that initial, favorable impression is but a distant memory by the time the season drags to a close.
Last season, for example, the loaded-looking Stars were depleted by recalls by their parent San Diego Padres and finished 56-85. The year before they were 73-67 with a team that came out of spring training with a satchel full of accolades.
Jerry Royster managed both of those teams and he has this season's Stars as well. But this year, for a couple of reasons, he has amended his managerial philosophy and is taking an approach that could lead to a few more victories.
"I can see why people think we'll be good," he said Sunday at Cashman Field, where the Stars were working out in preparation for Tuesday's home opener. "This team looks even better than the other two I had, plus the makeup of the team allows me to play to win.
"I believe I'll do a lot more managing this season. Instead of managing mostly to develop players (for the Padres), I'm going to manage to win games."
The reasons: a more mature group of players and, to put it bluntly, necessity. Another mediocre or poor season and the Stars will be through with the Padres, and that's at least a token concern for Royster even if he personally doesn't expect to be back in Las Vegas next year.
"I think we'll play more of a major-league type game," he said. "I've got guys -- especially pitchers -- who are close to being ready for the major leagues, so I'm going to use them in the same roles they'd be in if they were in the majors.
"This team has the most potential of the three I've had. Everything considered, it should be good and win its share of games."
Stars' management and fans can only hope he's right after the disappointments of the last few years. The front office likes being affiliated with the Padres but its patience has lessened as the losses have mounted; another season that doesn't match expectations and Las Vegas will become a free agent of sorts, breaking away from the Padres to hook up with a more agreeable provider.
This is also the first time the Stars' season will not be split into halves, as the PCL dropped the ancient marketing mechanism that allows even the worst team to revert to a 0-0 record at midseason. The drawback is obvious: A team that's playing poorly and is well out of the pennant race by the middle of June is going to have a difficult time attracting fans to meaningless games in July and August.
"It's a test for all of us but I never liked the split seasons," Royster said. "I think we should do things just the way they do them in the majors, and there's no split seasons there. If a team starts to lose, the affiliate will just have to do more things to keep the fans interested."
That's a challenge those in the Stars' front office would just as soon never face and it's certainly one they don't want to take on this year.
They want wins. Lots of wins.
It's the only way to make a profit in a city that shuns and ignores losers.
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