BASEBALL / GARY KLEIN : Sharts Finds Some Striking Differences in the Pro Game

After two productive years at Cal State Northridge, Scott Sharts was eager to strike out on his own in pursuit of a major league career.

And Sharts said it’s only a matter of time before the strikeouts that have characterized his first few games as a professional become a thing of the past.

Sharts, a 6-foot-6 first baseman, is playing for Watertown (N.Y.), the Cleveland Indians’ affiliate in the Class-A New York-Penn League.

The Indians selected Sharts in the 10th round of this year’s draft after he batted .290 with 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in at Northridge.

Entering Saturday night’s game against the Auburn Astros, Sharts was batting .163 through 10 games. He had seven hits, including a double, and had driven in three runs. He also had 20 strikeouts in 42 at-bats.

“I get told almost every day from our manager or hitting instructor, ‘You know, big guys are going to strike out a lot,’ � Sharts said. “But I don’t completely accept that. I’m a better hitter than I’ve shown so far. I think I’m just going through the adjustment to wood bats that everyone goes through.

“The first five hits I got were the opposite way to right field. That’s something I wasn’t able to do in college.

“It’s just a matter of getting comfortable with everything that’s new. I’m getting there.�

Waiting game: While Scott Sharts is just beginning his professional career, his older brother, Steve, has put his own temporarily on hold.

Steve, a left-handed relief pitcher, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies out of Northridge in 1985. Last season, his second at triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Pa.), Steve was 6-2 with a 2.99 earned-run average and three saves in 61 appearances.

Steve, however, is not playing this season.

Published reports have indicated that he left the Phillies a few days before the end of spring training when he learned that he had not made the major league roster.

But Sharts, speaking from his home in Clearwater, Fla., said that while he was disappointed at not being invited to major league spring training camp, his decision to sit out what would have been his seventh season with the Philadelphia organization ultimately was based on financial considerations.

“About a month and a half after the (1990) season, the Phillies called and asked if I would go pitch in Puerto Rico during the winter,� Sharts said. “I said I would go if they could at least guarantee me an invite to big league camp (in spring training).

“They told my agent, ‘We haven’t discussed the 40-man roster yet, but we haven’t even thought about him being on the 40-man roster.’

“That kind of shot down everything I had been working for. I don’t throw 90 m.p.h., but I’ve consistently put up good numbers the last four years. I thought the name of the game was getting people out.�

Despite his disappointment, Sharts reported to minor league spring training camp and worked out with Scranton. He made two appearances in major league exhibition games, giving up one earned run against Minnesota and five against Toronto. A few days before the end of spring training, Sharts, who is married and made about $2,000 a month last season, was unable to come to terms with the Phillies on a contract.

“I packed my stuff and came home,� he said. “I didn’t do it to burn the Phillies.

“I told them, ‘I appreciate everything the Phillies have done for me, but I can’t afford to do it (return to triple A).’ �

Sharts was placed on the suspended list, which prevented another team from signing him. But two months later, the Phillies released him, giving Sharts the freedom to resume his career.

“I’m pointing to spring training next year,� said Sharts. “I just want a chance to show what I can do.�

Recommended reading: Dave Dravecky’s battle with cancer the last few years has been documented in sports pages across the country. A few weeks ago, Dravecky had his left arm amputated to stave off the further spread of the disease.

“Comeback� (Harper Paperbacks, $4.95) by Dravecky and Tim Stafford, is the story of a courageous athlete with incredible determination.

Less than a year after doctors removed a cancerous tumor from Dravecky’s pitching arm, he returned to the major leagues with the San Francisco Giants and pitched eight innings in a win against the Cincinnati Reds. Five days later, he broke his arm, which he did again two months later while celebrating the Giants’ National League championship.

Dravecky details the steps of his comeback in a straightforward way. The book will make a lifelong fan of anyone not already familiar with the man.