Wednesday, June 16, 2004 | 9:01 a.m.
Last month, 51s pitcher Tanyon Sturtze was traded to the New York Yankees to shore up New York's starting rotation.
To make room, the Yankees let go of pitcher Donovan Osborne, a 34-year-old Carson City native and three-time All-American at UNLV.
Tonight at Cashman Field, Osborne will return to Las Vegas as a player for the first time since leaving UNLV for the Cardinals organization in 1990, pitching relief against the 51s in the third game of the teams' four-game series.
Las Vegas defeated Portland 7-2 on Tuesday, snapping a four-game losing streak and winning for just the third time in their last 11 games.
Osborne made the Yankees in spring training, signing as a non roster invitee and appearing in nine games with New York.
He allowed 14 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings, giving up 25 hits with 10 strikeouts.
"Not many people can say they put on the pinstripes," Osborne said. "I pitched good enough up there. ... I saw an opportunity here, and when somebody wants you, you go with them. You pitch better for someone who wants you."
After his last appearance with the Yankees on May 15, Osborne was idle until Sunday, when he pitched for Portland at Fresno. He went two innings in relief, giving up four runs and four hits without striking out a batter.
"I've taken off almost three weeks without pitching to live hitters; there's no way I was going to go up there even if they ask me to," he said of being sent straight to Triple-A. "It's like being in the middle of spring training, except now it's the middle of the year. You just go out and keep pitching."
After his time at UNLV, where he was one of the most notable pitchers in Rebels history, Osborne spent a year at Class A and another at Double-A in the St. Louis system. He skipped Triple-A and had three productive years with the Cardinals, logging a 3.78 ERA from 1992-94 and a 25-22 record as a starter. He also had extensive time with the Cardinals in 1996 before his ERA started to climb and his stock started to slip.
Osborne took two years off from baseball before returning with the Chicago Cubs in 2002, allowing 11 earned runs in 16 innings. He sat out again last year, before coming back with the Yankees.
He said he was thrilled about being part of the experience of the winning team.
"It's a great feeling; it's nice to be with guys who've worked so hard to be champions. The level of play is out of this world," he said. "It's a total mindset of winning -- it's a lot of fun to play over there."
Osborne had the option to go to Triple-A Columbus, but decided it was in his best interest to continue his career with the Padres.
He has played only six games in Triple-A and said he is enjoying the experience.
"Putting on a uniform and playing here, you have to take care of your own stuff," he said. "You make sure you're at the airport, get your own luggage, and all that."
Still, it's an easier life than his time with the Rebels, when the team played at old Barnson Stadium in the baseball powerhouse Big West Conference.
While he doesn't keep in touch with many people from that era of Rebel baseball, he said he still has fond memories, particularly of the Las Vegas heat.
"It was a piece of cake playing in (the heat)," he said. "Now that I'm 34, the heat gets to you, slows you down.
"But I'm 34 years old, playing a kids' game, and loving every minute of it."
The tryout will begin at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:30 that morning. Players under 21 must bring a parental consent form to participate.
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