George Arias shatters franchise home run record in 8-6 loss

George Arias says he didn't set out this year to break the Las Vegas Stars' single-season home run record of 32 set by Kevin McReynolds in 1983 -- which he did Thursday by blasting nos. 32 and 33 in an 8-6 loss to New Orleans at Cashman Field.

He also didn't set out to lead the Pacific Coast League in RBIs, which he does by a big margin with 106.

No, Arias' goals were much more simple entering his 1998 campaign.

"I made a promise to myself to just go out and have fun this year," the 26-year-old former University of Arizona All-American said.

"Last year was a disappointing year for me. A lot of what happened was out of my control. So I decided to just go out this year and have fun and not worry about things. And I think that's helped me."

The new relaxed attitude, along with a major adjustment in his powerful swing, has paid huge dividends for Arias.

You have to go all the way back to the Stars' first year in 1983 to find someone who had the kind of season Arias is having this year.

McReynolds, who would go on to hit 211 home runs in 11 major league seasons with the San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Kansas City Royals, was named the Pacific Coast League MVP and Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .377 with 32 home runs and 116 RBIs in the Stars' inaugural season.

Barring injury, a call-up by the parent San Diego Padres or a trade, Arias also figures to eclipse Rick Lancellotti's single-season RBI mark of 131 set in 1984.

"He's had a great season," Stars manager Jerry Royster said. "I've never been associated with a minor league season like this. I've never had a player drive in 100 runs before. Usually, you don't get to stay down long enough to put up these kinds of numbers."

But Arias finds himself in the same organization as perhaps major league baseball's best third baseman, 1996 National League MVP Ken Caminiti. The popular 35-year-old Caminiti, however, will be a very high-priced free agent at the end of the season.

Arias, once considered the Angels' third baseman of the future before being dealt last summer to the Padres as part of the Rickey Henderson deal, is hopeful his sparkling 1998 season translates into another big league opportunity.

"I'm trying to force (the Padres) to make a move," he said. "If they sign (Caminiti), then they'll probably trade me. If they don't sign him, then maybe I'll get a shot. Right now I just want to make sure I get a chance to show someone that I'm ready to play in the big leagues again."

Mission accomplished, according to Royster.

"He's revived his career greatly," Royster said.

"If anybody (in baseball) thought George was capable of having a year like this, then they wouldn't have traded him to us. There just aren't many third baseman in baseball who can hit 33 home runs and drive in over 100 runs in a season."

Arias and Royster both agree that a big key to Arias' success this year was an adjustment to his swing.

"Before I'd cut my swing, swing across my body," Arias said. "Now I've taken my swing toward center field and it allows my bat to stay in the zone longer."

"All we talked about in the spring was how he was pulling off the ball and that he couldn't hit certain pitches that way," Royster said. "Last year we could get him out with a fastball away and off-speed pitches. Now they can't do that.

"It's a tribute to George and his work habits. It's amazing how many of his home runs have gone over the right-centerfield wall. I'd say at least a dozen."

That swing, more than the glossy home run numbers, is what will probably land Arias back in the big leagues.

"His power swing is as consistent as I've seen," Royster said. "That's the part that people don't see. They see the numbers continue to go up, but he also has the swing to keep doing it. And that's what's important down here."

In fact, when asked what he thought of Arias' assualt on the Stars' record books, Royster replied, "What record?"

"Those things really don't mean that much," Royster added. "Minor league records are not what you want. The important thing here is establishing that you have all the ingredients to be an every day player in the big leagues."

Any doubt Arias won't get another shot at the major league level?

"It would be a crime if he doesn't get that shot," Royster said.

"I'm not really concerned about the home run record here," Arias said. "I'm more happy doing the things that I need to do to get back to the big leagues."

There were rumors that Arias was part of a three-player package the Padres put together in an attempt to land Randy Johnson last week.

The Mariners reportedly were on the market for a third baseman to replace error-prone Russ Davis. But that deal feel through when, brace yourselves Stars fans, San Diego refused to budge on Seattle's request to include outfielder Ruben Rivera in the deal.

Rivera, who hit a dismal .144 during his unimpressive two month stay in Las Vegas earlier this season, now is being touted as second coming of Dave Winfield by Padres GM Kevin Towers.

Really.

"I was kind of hoping that I would get traded because I want to play in the big leagues again," Arias said. "Seattle? I would love to go there. But right now I'm trying not to think about that kind of stuff."

At worst, it figures Arias has earned himself a Sept. 1 call-up to the first place Padres when the rosters expand.

No matter what happens, though, Arias can always look back on 1998 as a season to remember with the Stars.

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