Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9408020031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And Clontz never even made it to the mound.
During an eighth-inning pushing and shoving incident July 17 at Norfolk - one day after he made his Triple-A debut - Clontz rushed from the bullpen toward home plate, making it as far as the infield dirt before turning back.
For that, the International League docked him two games and cash for breaking a first-year league rule that says a player cannot leave his position during a fight. No punches were thrown, however, and Braves broadcaster Bill Roth later described it as a ``bench-clearing milling.''
Clontz, a former Virginia Tech pitcher who led all minor-leaguers with 27 saves at Class AA Greenville, S.C., this year, called the incident something else.
``I'm really upset, because that's $300 out of my pocket and something I can't afford,'' Clontz said. ``I'm making Double-A money. It's ridiculous.''
Clontz has been anything but a joke for Greenville and now Richmond. When he was called up July 15, he was considered a threat to break the minor-league single-season saves record of 46 set by Jamie Cochran at Class A Savannah, a St. Louis Cardinals farm club.
But, in part because of his already-served suspension, he has made six appearances and had only three save chances since July 16 (he blew one last Thursday). So, he says, getting 40 saves would be nice. Despite joining a team that had the International League's leading reliever, one-time major-leaguer Terry Clark, Clontz thinks he will get most of the work. Clark, who has 22 saves, is 33 years old, a decade older than the Stuart native.
``They've basically moved him into a middle guy, setup,'' Clontz said. ``I kind of figured that.''
Clontz set Tech season records in 1992 with 12 victories and 130 innings pitched. The stuff that helped him strike out 228 batters from 1990-92 has made him a major-league prospect for the big-league Braves and their worrisome bullpen.
From the one-time Confederate capital, Clontz can see all the way to the present-day hub of the South.
``I keep up with it,'' he said, chuckling, when asked if he was aware of Atlanta's search for a consistent closer. ``[The veterans] are keeping younger guys and prospects down here from making money. One day, we're going to be there. When things go wrong, it's just a window open for us youngsters. We're waiting around. ...''
Not idly, though. Clontz, a sidearming right-hander whose slider carries a ``Beware'' label, said he has taught himself a circle change-up to use against left-handed hitters, especially when he's behind in the count. He's used it in games since May.
``I definitely feel like I've got one extra thing now,'' he said last week from a hotel room in Charlotte, N.C., where the Richmond Braves had a three-day stand. ``It gives 'em something else to think about.''
And one more reason Clontz wouldn't be shocked if he were called up when major-league rosters are expanded in September. Atlanta director of player development Chuck LaMar couldn't be reached for comment on Clontz's big-league future, but Clontz has no complaints.
``I'm where I wanted to be, the season's going exactly like I dreamed,'' Clontz said. ``Everything's in order.''
by CNB