DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers, who haven't had a No. 1 pick pay off since 1980, Monday selected powerful switch-hitting outfield prospect Tony Clark with the second overall pick in the amateur free agent baseball draft.
It may not be an easy signing, though, since the 6-foot-7 Clark has signed a basketball tender with the University of Arizona and his father, Arthur, said he intended to honor it.
'I think it's kind of ludicrous in this nation to put money before what's really important -- and that's an education for our children,' Arthur Clark said in a telephone interview from the family home in San Diego.
Tony Clark, 17, was on a senior class trip in the mountains for three days and 'has no idea yet' Detroit has drafted him 'unless some carrier pigeon has flown into the mountains.'
The Tigers have not had a No. 1 draft choice of significant impact since outfielder Glenn Wilson in 1980. Wilson was traded to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and now is with Houston.
The 1985 No. 1 pick, pitcher Randy Nosek, appeared briefly with Detroit last season but currently is in the minors along with four other top choices.
Joe McDonald, Detroit vice president for player procurement, expressed confidence the Tigers could get Clark to agree to a contract which would permit him to play college basketball and pro baseball.
'We feel we'll sign him,' McDonald said, noting club President Bo Schembechler talked with the youngster. 'He (Clark) looked Bo right in the face when he asked 'What do you want to be?' and said 'I want to be a major league baseball player.'
'I guess we're in a new era of the multi-sport player. Started perhaps by Bo Jackson.'
Clark throws right-handed but had a limited senior baseball season due to basketball playoffs. He batted .552 with 11 home runs in a 21 for 38 season. His father said Clark was named MVP of the county All-Star game Sunday, going 2 for 3 including a 425-foot two-run double.
Clark's mother and father may act as his agents because she is an accountant and he is an MBA who owns his own business.
'We can handle most of it ourselves,' his father said. 'He'll sign -- given the proper compensation and proper understanding of the contract.
'I've heard they (the Tigers) will offer one price and that's it. If that kind of intransigence is involved, then maybe it's no good to talk. I have the feeling Detroit won't be open-minded.'
McDonald said he had not seen Clark play but General Manager Bill Lajoie and others had.
'They like his stroke and power potential,' McDonald said, likening Clark to Darryl Strawberry and Willie McCovey. Clark is not fast, clocked at 4.4 going to first, but has a good throwing arm and will be tried in the outfield with an eye toward shifting him to first if that does not work out.
'In baseball, to my mind, the toughest thing to do is hit the ball,' McDonald said. 'He's demonstrated he can do that. We don't think there's anybody in the draft with his ability to hit the ball.
'We saw him adjust to certain types of pitches. He's a smart young man. He will apply his intelligence to baseball.'
Detroit has targeted Clark for its Bristol (Va.) rookie league team. The Appalachian League team's season begins June 20.
Arizona is on the semester system, which means Clark would not be available to Detroit until mid-May, long after spring training.
