Stars’ Darr happy with career pick

Steve Guiremand

Monday, April 12, 1999 | 10:10 a.m.

He has already been labeled as the heir apparent to Tony Gwynn in right field for the San Diego Padres. But while growing up in Corona, Calif., Mike Darr didn't dream of one day replacing a Hall of Fame baseball player.

"No, I didn't watch baseball that much," the 23-year-old Las Vegas Stars rightfielder said before his team's 8-3 loss to Omaha on Sunday at Cashman Field. "Maybe a couple of innings here and there. I really didn't have a favorite team or player."

Football, now that was a different story.

"That was my favorite sport," Darr said. "And Marcus Allen was my favorite player when he was with the Raiders. And then Steve Young."

But when it came time to make a career decision during his senior year at Corona High School, the former three-sport star had to make a choice. He could go to Colorado to play quarterback for Rick Neuheisel and join his prep teammate, wide receiver Darrin Chiaverini. Or he could accept a $225,000 signing bonus to play baseball as the second-round pick of the Detroit Tigers.

"I always loved football," the 6-3, 205-pound Darr said. "I just played baseball because my dad kind of made me play it. But that all changed when I got drafted.

"My dad pointed out that I could play football for five or six years and not be able to walk. Or I could play baseball for 10 to 15 years and walk away from the game happy. I thought that was a good reason to play baseball."

Darr, who eventually was traded by the Tigers in 1997 along with pitcher Matt Skrmetta to the Padres for second baseman Jody Reed, says he doesn't think about playing football anymore.

"This year I'm too close (to the major leagues)," he said. "I'm just thinking about baseball."

And playing very well, too.

After going 1-for-4 in Sunday afternoon's loss, Darr finds himself batting .438. The 1998 Southern League all-star is rated to have the best throwing arm in the Padres' minor league organization by Baseball America and also is considered the best hitter for average.

"Generally, he's not a fast starter," Stars manager Mike Ramsey said. "But his timing looks real good right now."

That's kind of surprising because Darr sat out almost two weeks of spring training with a sore back.

"He knows how to play the game," Ramsey said. "He doesn't make mistakes. His instincts are real good when it comes to things like baserunning and throwing to the right base. He's got a strong arm, can hit for average and has the potential to hit with power. And he's not going to be the least bit intimidated by any situation he's ever in."

Which would seem to make him a very worthy successor to Gwynn one day in right field.

"I don't feel any pressure now," Darr said when the topic of one day replacing Gwynn came up. "But I know when the time comes there will be a lot of pressure on me. That's something you just have to deal with in the major leagues ... pressure."

* STARS NOTES: Ramsey said utilityman Phil Nevin will join the team for tonight's game with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on a three-day injury rehab assignment. Nevin has been sidelined with a strained hamstring. "I'm assuming they'll probably want him to catch," Ramsey said. "But I'm not sure whether they'll want him to play the whole game or just get a couple of at-bats. I'll have to talk to (Padres GM) Kevin (Towers) and find out."

* SKID OVER: Standout catching prospect Ben Davis ended a season-opening 0-for-11 streak (five strikeouts) with a first inning single to center. "I knew it was just a matter of time before I got my first hit," Davis said. "I wasn't concerned about it. But it felt good to get it." Davis started 0-for-19 at double-A Mobile last season but rebounded to hit .286 with 14 homers, 29 doubles and 75 RBIs. "I just want to make hard contact," Davis said. "That's all I can do. And then if it falls in, I'll be real happy."

* MACK WATCH: Stars trainer George Poulis said it could be July before outfielder Shane Mack, in Las Vegas on an injury rehab assignment, is ready to play again. "I think his rehab (from shoulder and neck surgeries) will maybe go all the way up to the All-Star break (July 12-14)," Poulis said. "It's not an overnight process."

* A LOOK AHEAD: The Stars open a three-game series with Colorado Springs tonight at 7:05 with right-hander Buddy Carlyle making his triple-A debut against right-hander Jim Stoops. The series continues Tuesday night at 7:05 with right-hander Brian Tollberg (0-0, 2.57) going against right-hander Mark Brownson and concludes with a 12:15 Businessman's Special on Wednesday with lefty Heath Murray (1-0, 1.50 ERA) going against right-hander Scott Randall.