Rays/MLB

Malaska opts 'to get on with his life,' dad says

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published March 15, 2006

DUNEDIN - The Mark Malaska mystery apparently is solved.

The father of the Devil Rays pitcher, who walked out of the clubhouse without showering after a rough outing Friday against the Blue Jays and hasn't been heard from since, said his son retired and is home in Providence, R.I., with plans to finish his degree.

"He says he's done," Dennis Malaska said Tuesday by phone. "He said the next time he picks up a baseball will be to play catch with his kids, and he doesn't have any."

Dennis wanted to make clear Mark "has nothing but good things to say about the Devil Rays. It wasn't him being ticked off at anybody. He just wanted to get on with his life."

Dennis said Mark, 28, a nonroster invitee, wanted some stability. After a spring in which he battled control problems and had a 20.25 ERA in three outings, Mark knew he was headed for the minors, where he had played most of his career, Dennis said.

"He believes he can still pitch in the majors, but the desire isn't there," Dennis said. "The bus rides, the hotels, the whole nine yards."

Dennis said Mark told him, " "I just couldn't go down there and slog my way through it.' "

Mark left after walking one Blue Jays batter, hitting another and throwing one pitch to a third before being removed.

"He was relieved," Dennis said of his son's decision. "He wanted to walk away from pressure and the lifestyle that was hard; the travel, the apartments, the moving."

Mark, who studied physical therapy at the University of Akron, was the Rays' eighth-round pick in the 2000 draft. The converted outfielder was 2-1 for Tampa Bay in 2003 with a 2.81 ERA in 22 appearances. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox and appeared in 19 games in 2004.

"He loves the organization," Dennis said. "He just couldn't do it anymore."

DELMON TEES OFF: Usually a monster home run is cause for celebration. Delmon Young barely stifled a yawn.

Young crushed a slider off Ben Weber during Tuesday's 9-1 victory over Toronto at Knology Park, the ball clearing a line of tall trees beyond the leftfield wall and traveling well over 400 feet.

"It doesn't matter," Young said. "A home run is a home run. I'm just trying to get ready for the season."

Young, whom Baseball America ranked as the game's No. 1 prospect, has been short on numbers. He is batting .208 (5-for-24), and his home run and RBIs (he also had a run-scoring single) were his first of the spring.

Young said he is hitting the ball hard, just at people.

"The swing has been there," he said. "If there wasn't nine guys out in the field, I'd have a hit every time except when I strike out."

GAME DETAILS: Right-hander Seth McClung threw 63 pitches in four scoreless innings and allowed three hits with three strikeouts. Manager Joe Maddon said McClung wanted to keep pitching: "He was pretty frisky." ... Aubrey Huff and Russell Branyan hit their first home runs. ... Josh Paul and B.J. Upton each had two hits. ... Dan Miceli pitched a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout.

[Last modified March 15, 2006, 01:32:16]