Rene Gonzales knows a thing or two about baseball.

He's a former major leaguer who started playing pro ball in 1982. He played for 15 years at the highest level and for eight teams. Now he's in his second year as manager of the Helena Brewers. He also coaches in the Arizona League during extended spring training. "Gonzo," as he is called around the ballpark, is a baseball guy, through and through.

Last year, in his "rookie" season in Helena, Gonzales coached the Brewers to a 35-41 record to place sixth in the Pioneer League. It's a statistic he is hoping to improve, starting Tuesday, when the Brewers host the Missoula Osprey in the season opener.

The Brewers feel that this season, they'll be more prepared when things kick off. They showed up early for a minicamp that will culminate this weekend in a three-game scrimmage.

"We got off to a slow start last year," Gonzales said. "The minicamp should make the difference. I tell you we're going to be better coming out."

Gonzo said that sometimes a coach has to work on his feet as the short season approaches. Sometimes teams don't get a chance to gel before opening day, making a fast start tough.

"You really don't know your team," Gonzales said. "Everyone gets there and the season starts three days later. Here we have seven, eight days to see what we have.

"Guys are hanging out with each other, playing on their home field, and living with each other at the hotel. That will help big-time."

Gonzales, who hails from southern Califonia and played for Cal-State Los Angeles, said he feels his team should be tough to beat this year, highlighting the players' size and athleticism.

"I like what I see, I like our size. We're pretty big this year," he said, adding that his team's conditioning isn't a question at all. "They've been playing all year. If anything, you've got guys playing more than they ever have in their career. It's new territory."

That's for certain. The players drafted out of college are, by definition, the best on their teams. That means they've gotten the most innings throughout the collegiate season, innings that are hard work. Now they come to the pros where they'll be expected to play at that same high level every day. He said that a 4-for-4 performance one day doesn't mean a thing the next.

"It's a grind. It's not college life anymore," Gonzales said. "They're getting paid to play baseball. They're professionals. It's perform or go home. I think once they get awakened to that idea, they'll be OK. But you have to show up every day."

Gonzales is used to that kind of hard work. He played a large chunk of his career in the middle infield. While in Baltimore, he was part of a big shortstop-second base combo n one that included Gonzo and the Iron Man himself, Cal Ripken Jr. The duo together measured 12-feet, 7-inches and 425 pounds. That's a formidable double-play pair.

"They made a big deal of that when we played together," Gonzales said of his and Ripken's size. "They said, 'That's the biggest middle infield ever.' "

Now Gonzales looks to continue bringing knowledge to young pro ballplayers who are on their way up the minor league ladder. It means working on an individual level with each player as well as the team as a whole.

"I am used to it. I did it my whole career," Gonzales said of the fine line he walks. He added that his workdays get long during the year. "I come in between noon and 1 and don't leave 'til 11 or midnight. But the four or five hours out on the field are the best part."

The next few days will help Gonzo finalize his starting lineups and rotations. The intra-squad games might give some insight into who is ready for game time.

"I have a lineup," he said. "It's in pencil, but I got a feel for what I see. Scouting reports help me out big-time. Guys work out practice differently than they play. I'll figure that out right away, as the season gets going."

The scrimmage tonight starts at 6 p.m. Players will be at Kindrick Legion Field prior to the game for a barbeque with their host families. The intra-squad game is open to the public.

Jason Scott: 447-4070 or jason.scott@helenair.com