PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CLAYTON, CA PERMIT 190
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MARCH 24, 2006
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Springtime is baseball time in Arizona DAVE SHUEY
MAYOR’S CORNER Clayton hosts CC Mayor’s Conference Thank you all for the responses to my recent columns. Some were even positive which is always a plus. I am glad that I have been able to inject some humor into government, but hope that when I need to discuss a serious topic you will not be disappointed. Some old stuff first. Clayton hosted the Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference on Mar. 2. Over 100 mayors, councilpersons and city managers attended. Our City staff once again showed how great they are by putting this all together and running it without a hitch. A few hardy officials, including me, even braved the impending storms and played golf at Oakhurst as put together by our Chief of Police, Dan Lawrence. Honestly, between holes we talked about policy and items of mutual interest between cities. I played with Dan and it was a lot of fun, although he may be taking this police vehicle decoy car system a bit far. We had to walk the last 13 holes since he felt the fifth hole was a great place to place our golf cart as a “decoy” to keep speeds down on the course. Look for “decoy” big wheels to be coming to a tot lot near you soon. Just kidding Chief, you know we all appreciate the system that is clearly working to help keep speeds down. I also swear that it was just a coincidence that the Chief and I took first place in the minitournament. Those of you who have seen me play now know how good the Chief is at golf. As for my last column on questions asked of my wife, I
See Mayor, page A7
WITH MARCH
Bill Wagoner/Clayton Pioneer
TEMPERATURES
comfortably in the 70s, baseball fans flock to MLB Spring Training in Arizona. Cameback Mountain is in the background.
BILL WAGONER Clayton Pioneer
For the twenty-first consecutive year, dating back to 1986, my pilgrimage to Major League Baseball Spring Training in Arizona has become a ritual. Major League Baseball Spring Training is “the ultimate spring break” for baseball
purists. For some, it’s an occasional visit or a one-time trek. For others, baseball is in our blood and Arizona in March signals the dawning of a new season, a sneak preview of summer and our team’s quest for a title and is the highlight of the year. The Cactus League provides a unique closeness to the
working vacation—if following one’s passion can truly be work – having gone to Arizona with instructions from my editor to “bring back a story.” Clayton has had brief links to MLB in the past with Clyde and Damon Mashore (see story, page B2) and currently, there are several sparkling prospects at the college level.
Clayton’s Nerland seeks out new Giants WAGONER Clayton Pioneer BILL
Although Clayton resident Matt Nerland grew up playing baseball, his dream went beyond the playing field – straight into the front office. “I didn’t play baseball in college, instead deciding to focus
on my studies,” says Nerland, Director of Scouting for the San Francisco Giants. “I majored in physical education. They didn’t even have a sports management minor,” he adds. “My focus was always to work in the front office if I wasn’t going to play. Not many kids my age have those aspirations.”
What’s inside SECTION A Around Town . . . . . . . . . .A2 Classifieds and Directory of Advertisers . . . . . . . . . .A5 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6 Letters to the Editor . . . . .A7 So, Anyway . . . . . . . . . . . . .A8 Upcoming Events . . . . . . .A8 Club News . . . . . . . . . . . . .A8 At the Movies . . . . . . . . . . .A9 Weather Words . . . . . . . . .A10 Food for Thought . . . . . .A12 Art Reflections (new) . . . .A13
SECTION B Hiker’s Haven . . . . . . . . . . .B1 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 Gray on Golf . . . . . . . . . . .B4 CVHS Reporter . . . . . . . . .B5 Crossword Puzzle Solution B5 Community Calendar . . . . .B6 Church News . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Dining Around . . . . . . . . . .B8 Paws and Claws . . . . . . . . .B9 Garden Girl . . . . . . . . . . .B10
game that doesn’t exist during the long grind of a 162-game regular season. Spring Training features cozy parks where you can “feel” the game, players mingling casually with the fans, and an almost picnic environment where winning matters little. This year, my sojourn to Spring Training was, in a way, a
CLAYTON
RESIDENT,
Bill Wagoner/Clayton Pioneer
MATT NERLAND scouts new talent for the Giants.
Nerland grew up in Modesto and played baseball at Central Catholic High School before attending San Francisco State. “I was the typical case of a little kid lining up my baseball cards on the bed – always a baseball purist,” he says. “I didn’t play any of the baseball simulation games. I was a physical kid who wanted to be outside playing ball.” A SELF-STARTER From the Giants minor league complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., Nerland shares the story of his ascent into the baseball operations department. “I didn’t have any contacts with the Giants. I wrote them a letter, got a call on my birthday to schedule an interview and began my internship in 1989,” he says. “I did it on my own – pretty gratifying.” Nerland says it was “a struggle” completing his final year at SF State while working full time with the Giants. “As an intern, I sat at the computer all day inputting manual scouting reports for thenGM Al Rosen. We didn’t even use the Internet in ’89,” he notes. After graduation, the internship evolved into a full-time job
– “paying all of about 20 grand to start.” He didn’t start scouting until about 1993, when Brian Sabean came over from the Yankees. “He’s provided me with the greatest opportunities,” Nerland says. At age 38, Nerland is entering his 18th season with the San Francisco Giants and is among the longest tenured in the field operations department. “There’s a lot of continuity with Sabean. Brian’s really kept everyone together. It’s been great,” Nerland says. “I don’t see myself going anywhere else unless Brian went to another club.”
But, pouring through the Giants and Athletics media guides upon arrival, one local name jumped off the pages. I was able to catch up with Director of Scouting for the San Francisco Giants and Clayton resident Matt Nerland for a lively and satisfying hour, and, indeed, was able to “bring back a story.”
Identity theft leaves endless trail of problems BEV BRITTON Clayton Pioneer
A LOVE OF CLAYTON Nerland and his wife Rebecca have lived in Clayton for five years. “I think because I grew up in the Central Valley, I’ve never been a city guy. I love it there,” he says of Clayton. “It’s peaceful. When you get home, it’s like being on vacation. Great view. The weather’s great.” Nerland puts in long hours with the Giants, although he has a little break when the team is on the road.
It was the last day of school, and room mom Teri Reilly had a long to-do list. Unfortunately, things were about to become even more hectic. “I went outside to get in my car – and it wasn’t there,” says Reilly, who had left the van unlocked in front of her home in the Oakhurst development. “My purse was in my car, because I had just always put my purse under the seat.” After contacting the Clayton Police Department, she was told to immediately cancel all her credit cards. But before she got the chance, one of her credit card companies called her. “By that time, they had been to three different gas stations and a place to eat – and that triggered it,” Reilly reports. A day later, a supermarket in Pittsburg called regarding a purchase of alcohol and cigarettes.
See Nerland, page B4
See Identity, page A11