http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseb...cle_c1b25c84-8772-5937-84ff-d0039d0f3bf0.html
PADRES: Suppan tries to prolong career with seventh team in 20 years
By DAN HAYES dhayes@nctimes.com | Posted: Thursday, February 23, 2012 5:35 pm
PEORIA, Ariz. — Jeff Suppan cooks pizza whenever he's in the restaurant he and his wife opened in 2003. The veteran pitcher has plans to expand his cooking repertoire.
"But that's life after baseball," Suppan said from Padres camp earlier this week.
Now in his 20th professional season, Suppan isn't ready to retire. Even if his best days are behind him, the Padres think Suppan still has value. They signed him to minor-league deal earlier this month with an invitation to camp to compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
"He can still pitch," pitching coach Darren Balsley said.
Suppan is eager to prove Balsley's point.
A second-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1993, Suppan has pitched in the majors in parts of 16 seasons. He owns a 138-143 career record and won a World Series ring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.
But, last season, Suppan didn't reach the majors for the first time since 1994 after going 11-8 with a 4.78 ERA in 28 games (27 starts) for the Triple-A Omaha Royals.
Suppan hasn't let his September disappointment deter him. He quickly made the decision to prepare for the 2012 season in case he had an offer and is ready for this spring.
"I felt different (going home early)," Suppan said. "When I got to Triple-A last year I got to thinking, 'When was the last time I was in Triple-A?' and it was 1998. It had been a long time.
"When I started, I wanted to play as long as I could play. (This offseason) I was preparing to play, but whatever happened, happened. What I had control over was being prepared to come to spring training, so that's what I focused on."
Suppan refuses to put much thought into his decision. He is succinct on the topic. "I'm a baseball player and I like to play," he said. He still enjoys putting on his uniform and spikes and throwing off a bullpen mound.
Padres manager Bud Black values Suppan's appreciation for the sport. Black and Balsley are adamant Suppan is here to compete for a job. But with Suppan in camp, the Padres will also benefit as he spends time around a talented, young group of starting pitchers like Robbie Erlin, Joe Wieland and Casey Kelly.
"You look at his drive and his passion," Black said. "I admire that. He wants to keep going. That says a lot about the guy.
"He doesn't have to say a word and I think his example will be great."
Suppan knows his chances of making the Padres' opening day roster are uncertain. He is in a stern competition with Dustin Moseley, Anthony Bass and Micah Owings for the fifth spot. He also is aware Triple-A Tucson could be a reality. Suppan said he mostly enjoyed the 2011 season at Omaha, except for the travel. He has an out-clause in contract which kicks in if he isn't in the majors by June 15, but that's a long way down the road, Suppan said.
All he wants is a chance.
"They said there was an opportunity," Suppan said. "How great? They really couldn't say. But they did say there was an opportunity to come to camp and show what I can do. We'll see what happens, and I'm OK with that."
Suppan also knows he'll one day have a chance to showcase his pizza-making skills at Soup's Sports Grill in Woodland Hills. Suppan and wife Dana began to work in the restaurant business in 1999 and took over ownership in 2003. They moved to their current location in 2007.
Often, confused customers venture into the restaurant to ask Suppan which soups he recommends. He then explains his surname, how the restaurant was coined after his nickname and suggests ordering a pizza.
"We tell them we only have (one soup), but it's really good," Suppan said. "(The restaurant) is something my wife and I do together and we both enjoy it, but that's life after baseball. I just started it early."
PADRES: Suppan tries to prolong career with seventh team in 20 years
By DAN HAYES dhayes@nctimes.com | Posted: Thursday, February 23, 2012 5:35 pm
PEORIA, Ariz. — Jeff Suppan cooks pizza whenever he's in the restaurant he and his wife opened in 2003. The veteran pitcher has plans to expand his cooking repertoire.
"But that's life after baseball," Suppan said from Padres camp earlier this week.
Now in his 20th professional season, Suppan isn't ready to retire. Even if his best days are behind him, the Padres think Suppan still has value. They signed him to minor-league deal earlier this month with an invitation to camp to compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
"He can still pitch," pitching coach Darren Balsley said.
Suppan is eager to prove Balsley's point.
A second-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1993, Suppan has pitched in the majors in parts of 16 seasons. He owns a 138-143 career record and won a World Series ring with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.
But, last season, Suppan didn't reach the majors for the first time since 1994 after going 11-8 with a 4.78 ERA in 28 games (27 starts) for the Triple-A Omaha Royals.
Suppan hasn't let his September disappointment deter him. He quickly made the decision to prepare for the 2012 season in case he had an offer and is ready for this spring.
"I felt different (going home early)," Suppan said. "When I got to Triple-A last year I got to thinking, 'When was the last time I was in Triple-A?' and it was 1998. It had been a long time.
"When I started, I wanted to play as long as I could play. (This offseason) I was preparing to play, but whatever happened, happened. What I had control over was being prepared to come to spring training, so that's what I focused on."
Suppan refuses to put much thought into his decision. He is succinct on the topic. "I'm a baseball player and I like to play," he said. He still enjoys putting on his uniform and spikes and throwing off a bullpen mound.
Padres manager Bud Black values Suppan's appreciation for the sport. Black and Balsley are adamant Suppan is here to compete for a job. But with Suppan in camp, the Padres will also benefit as he spends time around a talented, young group of starting pitchers like Robbie Erlin, Joe Wieland and Casey Kelly.
"You look at his drive and his passion," Black said. "I admire that. He wants to keep going. That says a lot about the guy.
"He doesn't have to say a word and I think his example will be great."
Suppan knows his chances of making the Padres' opening day roster are uncertain. He is in a stern competition with Dustin Moseley, Anthony Bass and Micah Owings for the fifth spot. He also is aware Triple-A Tucson could be a reality. Suppan said he mostly enjoyed the 2011 season at Omaha, except for the travel. He has an out-clause in contract which kicks in if he isn't in the majors by June 15, but that's a long way down the road, Suppan said.
All he wants is a chance.
"They said there was an opportunity," Suppan said. "How great? They really couldn't say. But they did say there was an opportunity to come to camp and show what I can do. We'll see what happens, and I'm OK with that."
Suppan also knows he'll one day have a chance to showcase his pizza-making skills at Soup's Sports Grill in Woodland Hills. Suppan and wife Dana began to work in the restaurant business in 1999 and took over ownership in 2003. They moved to their current location in 2007.
Often, confused customers venture into the restaurant to ask Suppan which soups he recommends. He then explains his surname, how the restaurant was coined after his nickname and suggests ordering a pizza.
"We tell them we only have (one soup), but it's really good," Suppan said. "(The restaurant) is something my wife and I do together and we both enjoy it, but that's life after baseball. I just started it early."
