Paul Hagen | Former pitcher Black a rare kind of manager

THERE ARE six new managers flashing the signs from major league benches this year, but San Diego's

Bud Black

is unique.

He's a former pitcher.

And how different is that? Well, in all the managerial changes that have been made since 1964, only 15 of the men hired were pitchers. And he's the first to hold the job since 2001 when Larry Dierker (Astros), Larry Rothschild (Devil Rays) and Joe Kerrigan (Red Sox) were shown the door.

"There's just a feeling that pitchers don't know anything about baseball," Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Black agrees. "Guy gets pigeonholed, but ultimately should be judged as an individual," he said. "There have been many pitchers I've played with who have great baseball minds equal to position players, guys who absolutely see the whole baseball universe. Just like there are some position players who can't see the whole game in front of them."

By contrast, 10 current big-league skippers are ex-catchers.

"I don't know how it works," said Padres future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. "A pitcher shakes off a catcher's signs 20 times a game. Ten years later, the catcher's a manager and you're not. Figure that one out."

That's a puzzler, all right. But one things for sure. Black will have large, if mostly invisible, fan club this season.

"We're hoping Buddy's successful with the Padres," Righetti said, speaking for all pitchers. "Otherwise, you won't see it again for another who knows how many years."

-- With rampant speculation that Alex Rodriguez will exercise his right opt out of his Yankees contract at the end of the season, many have assumed he'll end up with the Angels. Not so fast. "Alex Rodriguez is a special player and he's probably going to break every power number out there," owner Arte Moreno told the Los Angeles Times. "But, eventually, there is a ceiling economically."

-- With rampant speculation that will exercise his right opt out of his Yankees contract at the end of the season, many have assumed he'll end up with the Angels. Not so fast. "Alex Rodriguez is a special player and he's probably going to break every power number out there," owner told the . "But, eventually, there is a ceiling economically."

-- Padres general manager Kevin Towers says the team has a contingency fund that would allow it to pursue a top-flight centerfielder if an impending free agent like Ichiro, Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter becomes available before the trading deadline.

-- The sale of the Cubs is expected to bring more than the $700 million John Henry's group paid for the Red Sox and NESN. It's not clear whether Wrigley Field would be part of the deal, which will include 25 percent of Comcast SportsNet Chicago, or how this all impacts negotiations on a long-term extension for righthander Carlos Zambrano.

-- The Angels wore their alternate jerseys - bright red with bright red numbers - for the first time on Tuesday. "Some of us looked like a firetruck in them," observed manager Mike Scioscia.

-- The Angels wore their alternate jerseys - bright red with bright red numbers - for the first time on Tuesday. "Some of us looked like a firetruck in them," observed manager .

-- With a 3-0 start, the Pirates are above .500 for the first time since they were 23-22 on May 29, 2004. The Bucs are trying to end a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons.

-- Twins catcher Joe Mauer, who turns 24 on April 19, says he's still growing. In fact, by his estimation, he was 6-4 just a year ago and is nearly 6-6 now. "Hopefully I'll grow the other way," he said. "I'd like to get a little stronger."

-- The Devil Rays had a day game in New York Monday followed by an open date and a rainout. "Put it this way," said outfielder Carl Crawford, when asked how the players planned to pass the time. "It won't do no good to try to call somebody in their [hotel] room. You better have a cell number."

-- Mariners shortstop - and Cuban defector - Yuniesky Betancourt signed a long-term contract extension this week. "It's easy to assume everything is great for this guy. He's always so happy," said general manager Bill Bavasi. "But he's got things he worries about like everybody else. He's the bread winner in his family ... and he's just won a lot of bread."

-- When Curt Schilling lasted only four innings for the Red Sox on Opening Day, it was his shortest start since May 22, 1997, when he lasted just 2 2/3 innings for the Phillies against the Mets.

After Hall of Fame broadcaster Herb Carneal, who called Twins games for 45 years, passed away last weekend the St. Paul Pioneer-Press printed a great story about his career.

After Hall of Fame broadcaster , who called Twins games for 45 years, passed away last weekend the printed a great story about his career.

It seems that the mild-mannered Carneal was paired with a fellow named Larry Calton for the 1974 season. His new partner had the audacity to proclaim that his presence would guarantee that the team would draw at least a million fans or he'd quit. Attendance had barely topped 900,000 the year before.

Going into the last home game, only about 650,000 had come through the Metropolitan Stadium turnstiles. So as the two announcers walked into the press box, Carneal turned and said, "Well, Larry, unless we draw 350,000 to today's game, it looks like you're going to be out of a job."

Calton actually lasted 1 more year before Carneal had a new partner.

ON DECK

Cheers: For the Kansas City Royals. The team came up with a neat way to honor the great Buck O'Neil, the Negro Leagues legend and KC resident who passed away in the offseason. The seat where he always sat at Kauffman Stadium has been painted red and each game will be occupied by a citizen who represents O'Neil's spirit.

Jeers: To Major League Baseball. After sending an investigator to Scottsdale, Ariz., to examine Barry Zito's glove and then examining photos of the equipment back in New York, MLB ruled that the glove was illegal. Why? Because it was burgundy with tan laces, a technical violation because it could hypothetically distract hitters.

So clubhouse manager Mike Murphy had to spend the better part of a day replacing the stitching with black laces. "Can you believe that?" Zito asked.

We'll say it one more time: Baseball has a lot more important things to worry about.

BY THE NUMBERS

4: Marlins making $1 million or more (Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Jorge Julio, Miguel Olivo), the fewest of any team in the majors.

7: Foreign countries represented on the Rockies roster: Canada (Jeff Francis), Dominican Republic (Willy Tavaras, Ramon Ramirez), Japan (Kaz Matsui), South Korea (Byung-Hyun Kim), Mexico (Rodrigo Lopez), Panama (Manny Corpas) and Venezuela (Yorvit Torrealba).

11: Straight wins for the Athletics, dating back to last season, when Rich Harden starts.

13: Opening Day second basemen used by the Red Sox in the last 14 years after Dustin Pedroia's name was on the lineup card this season.

WEEKLINGS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Tigers closer Todd Jones, on receiving his AL championship ring: "I'll never take it off. [When I pitch] it'll be on my left hand. When I go out to eat with my wife, it'll be dinner for three. I'm going to name it and give it its own plate."

GREAT EXPECTATIONS OF THE WEEK:

-- Giants general manager Brian Sabean predicts a big season for maligned closer Armando Benitez. "He's healthier and his heart is in the right place," Sabean said. "He made a concerted effort in the offseason. He came to spring training early and it is is a contract year. It's no different. Players like money."

-- Dmitri Young doesn't mind putting a little pressure on his younger brother. "Without setting lofty goals, Rookie of the Year," the Nationals first baseman said when asked about his expectations for Devil Rays phenom Delmon Young.

-- Mariners veteran righthander Miguel Batista says Felix Hernandez - who turns 20 Sunday - could be one of the best of all time. "Seeing him pitch is scary in a way. It's breathtaking to see a guy consistently challenge people with such great stuff at such a young age. Can he be a Dwight Gooden for many years to come? Can he be like Nolan Ryan?"

ANGER MANAGEMENT OF THE WEEK:

Rockies reliever LaTroy Hawkins was roughed up during Colorado's Opening Day loss, but said he'd get over it. "I'm taking out my aggression playing Socomm II, a Navy Seals [video] game," he explained.

METEOROLOGIST OF THE WEEK:

There were snow flurries while the Indians were taking batting practice at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday. "This would shut down the city in San Diego," noted Tribe second baseman Josh Barfield, who played for the Padres last season.