CATCHING UP WITH … TOM PACIOREK By Mike Gastineau

How big can one game in the albeit in a backup role. By the end next day and another home and middle of the season be for a guy who of June he had a grand total of three the following day Rupert came back played 18 years in Major League Base- hits in 18 at-bats in the ’78 season and they released Dick Pole instead ball? Huge, if you ask former Mariners and, with Jones slated to return after of me.” Tom Paciorek. recovering from surgery, Paciorek On July 2, 1978, Paciorek came to figured his days as a pro ball player The Lasorda Affect the Kingdome to prepare for a game were numbered. Paciorek laughs as he recounts the against Milwaukee. Two days before So Paciorek was surprised to see he story. But he also laughs when he says our nation’s birthday, he was con- had been inserted into the lineup that hello. He’s maintained a light-hearted vinced he was about to gain his own day as the Mariners DH. At that mo- approach to life and baseball and he unwanted independence. ment he had a revelation. credits the manager of the first team he Paciorek came up in the Los Angeles “I really felt it was the most im- played for in 1968 in Ogden, Utah, for organization and spent parts of six portant day of my life,” he said. “I instilling that attitude in him. seasons with Dodgers. He played on thought I was either going to make it “ absolutely cor- the Dodgers champi- or break it right here.” rupted me,” he said, of the Hall of onship team in 1974. He was traded Paciorek proceeded to go on a Fame manager. “His personality in to Atlanta where he spent two years most fortuitously timed hitting streak. Ogden was the exact same as it was with the Braves before being released He had faced Mike Caldwell, who when he became the Dodgers skipper. in Spring Training in 1978. The Braves was pitching for the Brewers, when At first, I thought everyone in baseball resigned him a week later, but six weeks they both were in the NL and used was like that, but 50 years later I’m into the season released him again. that knowledge he had gleaned to still looking for someone like him.” Paciorek then signed a minor league his advantage. Paciorek was part of a group of deal with Seattle and was sent to San “I knew he liked to start you with a players who literally came up with Jose. When Mariners outfielder Rupert fastball so I saw four pitches that day Lasorda from the minors all the way Jones had an appendectomy, Paciorek and got four hits. I hit a and found himself back in the Majors, got the game winning RBI. I played the (continued on page 88)

MARINERS MAGAZINE 87 (continued from page 87) with Lasorda in Albuquerque in to the Big Leagues. The Dodgers 1968 the Pacific Coast draft is considered one of the best ever. League in 1972. In addition to Paciorek they selected The Dukes had Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, fallen on hard , and times, losers of Doyle Alexander. five games in a Paciorek said the team was close row. Lasorda because Lasorda insisted that they eat called a pregame meals together. When he noticed that meeting and Paciorek always ordered a hamburger according to Pa- he hung the delightful sobriquet ciorek addressed “Wimpy” on him (in a nod to the the team in a burger-loving character from the “Pop- matter-of-fact, eye” cartoons). But he also instilled fatherly tone. a lot of his own outgoing personality “You guys are into Paciorek. walking around “He’d make you come to his ap- here moping and pearances,” said Paciorek. “Anyone in you’re not play- town that had an event, they’d invite ing good baseball Tommy. And he’d make players come and you’re not with him and speak. So after a while I having any fun,” felt really comfortable behind the mi- Lasorda said. “You lost five games. So Lasorda sputtered. “I wasn’t even born crophone. He had a lot to do with my what? People outside of Albuquerque yet. But it worked on you guys.” For being able to parlay my playing career don’t even know who you are.” the record, the ’27 Yanks longest los- into a broadcasting career.” After his Lasorda told them that the 1927 ing streak was four games. playing days were over, Paciorek spent Yankees, considered the greatest 18 seasons as a broadcaster, primarily team ever, endured a seven-game Passing Down Lessons with the White Sox. losing streak. Paciorek’s primary concern these Paciorek laughs as he recounts one “Go out there, think of the ’27 Yan- days is coaching his grandson’s base- of his favorite Lasorda stories. Many kees, and start having fun again.” ball team and for that job, he draws on of those players taken in 1968 were The Dukes ended up winning the the obvious inspiration. PCL. Paciorek bumped into Lasorda “Not a day passes where I don’t An All-Star in 1981, Paciorek put together a stellar after the season and asked him if the stop and think, ‘What would Tommy season hitting .326, second best in the AL. The fun-loving 1927 Yankees really lost seven in a row. do in this situation?’ He taught us how outfielder played for the Mariners from 1978-81. “How in the hell would I know?” to play the game, but also how to act before and after the game, which is very important. I try to apply that to coaching kids today.” He also tells them about a lesson he learned in 1981 which was his best season as a pro. He finished second in the AL in batting behind Carney Lansford, and was in the top five in numerous other offensive categories. “Before that season I made a pact with myself that I was going to be the best player on the field each day, and all of a sudden things started click- ing. I stayed within the team concept but I didn’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow. I always tell young play- ers that. Live in the present moment and you’ll be able to perform at your maximum ability.” If that doesn’t work he can always bust out a story about the ’27 Yankees.

Mike Gastineau is a freelance writer based in Seattle. He spent over 20 years hosting a local radio show, and is the author of two books.

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