Brown Looked Upon to Lead

By JASON REID

Feb. 27, 1999 12 AM PT

Manager Davey Johnson has moved quickly to capitalize on the commanding presence of pitcher Kevin Brown.

Johnson has put the other members of the starting rotation in Brown’s workout group so they can observe him. The new staff ace has much to offer, Johnson said.

“I want them all around Kevin to get to know him and to be influenced by him,” he said of Brown, who signed a seven-year, $105-million contract in December. “You don’t become a No. 1 starter like Kevin Brown just with a good arm and being a good competitor.

“He has a routine he goes through, he has things he does on a daily basis. All great players have that routine, and you want young pitchers to be exposed to that. If I’d have had Tom Seaver, I’d want him to work with young pitchers because his work habits were exemplary.”

Brown’s group includes Chan Ho Park, Carlos Perez, Ismael Valdes and Darren Dreifort. The relievers also work together, helping Johnson evaluate the progress of both units.

General Manager Kevin Malone is pleased by Johnson’s view of the big picture.

“We got [Brown] not only because of what he does on the mound, but also because other guys feed off of him even when he’s not pitching,” Malone said. “We’ve got some great young arms, and you want them to be around Kevin Brown as much as possible.”

First baseman Eric Karros believes Brown is already making an impact.

“With our young pitching staff, maybe the only thing they lack right now is experience,” Karros said. “Other guys see what he does, just the way he goes out and works, and they pick up on that.

“He’s worth more to us than any other organization because of where we are with our pitching staff. That’s why, whatever they paid him, he’s worth it.”

Gary Sheffield believes he is making progress in his attempt to move from right field to left.

Sheffield has been working with coaches daily, shagging fly balls and learning the nuances of the position.

“I’m not there yet but it’s coming along,” he said. “It’s just something I have to keep working on to get comfortable.”