Despite Snub, Smith Happy to Be A Cub

SAN DIEGO — Dave Smith was ignored by his hometown Padres when he became a free agent last December, but he couldn’t have cared less.

The veteran relief pitcher from Poway High and San Diego State had one objective in mind after playing out his contract with the Houston Astros. He wanted to join a team that had a chance to go to the World Series.

Because the Chicago Cubs had just signed free agents Danny Jackson and George Bell, they were high on Smith’s preferred list. When they became the first team to contact him, his mind was made up.

Smith, 36, who now lives in Olivenhain, talked about his big career move before the Cubs met the Padres Friday night at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

“I had a few offers, but the Cubs jumped right out at me,” Smith said. “They were the first team on the phone, and when I looked at their club and the offer they made, the deal was as good as done. There were just a few details to be worked out.

“I’ve always wanted to play at Wrigley Field. I love the place. It’s real baseball to me.”

At first glance, Smith’s choice of the Cubs as an entree to the World Series might seem a bit far-fetched. After all, they haven’t been there since 1945. But the additions of Jackson and Bell made them likely contenders in the National League East, and when they signed Smith, they became just about everybody’s choice to win the division.

That the Cubs have failed to live up those expectations--they are struggling along in fourth place--doesn’t faze Smith.

“I look at the talent on this team and I see it coming around,” Smith said. “There’s too much talent for us not to do well. Who would have thought we’d have trouble scoring runs? Look at Bell and Andre Dawson hitting back to back. Those are two beasts.”

Smith has nothing to hang his head about, especially after earning the save in the Cubs’ 7-3 the Padres on Friday. He ranks second in the league with 16 saves in 20 opportunities, including one stretch of 10 in succession, and now has 215 for his career.

“The other guys in the bullpen have helped me a lot,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them setting me up.”

Despite a shaky showing Friday night, the Cubs’ relievers have a combined earned-run average of 2.93, second lowest in the league.

As for the Padres, Smith said, “I was never approached by them, but I didn’t try to analyze anything about it. Obviously, they were happy with Craig Lefferts as their closer.”

The Padres instead signed another free-agent relief pitcher, Larry Andersen, who until last Aug. 31--when he went to Boston--was Smith’s primary setup man in Houston.

Because Anderson’s contract of $4.35 million for two years is almost as rich as Smith’s $4.9 million for two years, some Padre fans wondered why General Manager Joe McIlvaine opted for a setup man over a closer.

But McIlvaine has said that he had no interest in Smith, and, indeed, his choice of Andersen doesn’t look bad. Andersen has compiled an ERA of 1.62 in the 14 appearances.

When Smith reached the major leagues with the Astros in 1980, his fastball was clocked in the low 90s. He doesn’t throw that hard any more, but his forkball and curve complete an effective repertoire.

Jim Essian, the Cubs’ new manager, said of Smith, “I’m just happy to have a closer like him. A lot of clubs are groping for one. With Smitty out there, we always know who we’re going to get up to close out a game.”

Besides spending some time with his family during the Cubs’ weekend stop in San Diego, Smith will be able to renew acquaintances with his best friend, ex-Padre favorite Tim Flannery, who now does features for Channel 8. Smith’s parents live in Encinitas, Flannery in Leucadia.

“I’m going over to Tim’s house tomorrow night,” Smith said. “It’ll be great to see my old buddy again.”