When the Phillies first baseman torch was passed from slugger Jim Thome to slugging prospect Ryan Howard in 2006, it was an elegant exchange.
Thome understood that the Phillies gateway to greatness did not include him and Howard was set to be the star of the show. He respected the business side of it. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox, tipped his cap to Philadelphia, and began a brilliant run as designated hitter.
There was an understandable outpouring of grief from Phillies fans over losing Thome. But that was tempered with an excited eye on the future. Fans were not being asked to accept sour medicine and hope for the best. They were being given a gift and parting with another.
While the Phillies don't have the wealth of waiting talent in their farm system that they did when Howard made his debut, they have a few players that hold the keys to the future. One of them is Domonic Brown.
Brown, a toolsy oufielder that spent 2010 pounding the ball between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh, is competing for a job vacated by Jayson Werth. One of the players he's competing with is another exciting prospect, John Mayberry Jr., as well as veteran Ben Francisco. But it's Brown, the guy that Baseball America named top prospect in baseball in 2010, that is taking center stage.
While the relationship between the Phillies and Werth didn't end as amicably as Thome's with the Phillies, his words to Washining Post columnist Thomas Boswell are a bit surprising. http://t.co/agH0Fwp
Werth's time in Philadelphia was full of celebratory moments. But when the season ended, Werth and the Phillies had to make a decision. One that most were already certain of. The 32-year-old would not return to the Phillies. The Nationals offered Werth $126 million and that was curtains for his Phillies days. The Phils were never going to give him that kind of financial offering.
Werth doesn't have to like it, but Phillies fans don't have to care. There's a loss, yes, but there's also much to be enthusiastic about with Brown.
Brown's progress is one of the biggest stories out of spring training. When he struggles (as he did in the Dominican Winter League) fans take notice quickly. He matters. He matters so much that Werth's words shouldn't. And as Boswell points out, the Nats are looking for swagger and Werth may be trying to give it to them with a bit of media manipulation. He knew it'd get attention.
The flip side is that players feed off that kind of attention. If there's worry in the hearts of the fans and/or the team, a player wants to prove his value. Brown has plenty to prove, plenty to shoot for. That's fuel enough for him.
One of Brown's goals shouldn't have to be getting Phillies fans to forget about Werth. That should already be in the works.
It cannot be easy to be so highly regarded and go through the obstacles second baseman Matt Antonelli has faced.
But Antonelli remains focused and determined on controlling what he can.
"I'm doing everything I can to make sure my body is ready," he said. "My number one goal is to stay healthy. My injuries so far have been mostly from bad luck, so I also have to get lucky."
There are so many things that add up to put a player in the right (or wrong) place, at the exact right (or wrong) time, and luck is one of them. Antonelli knows, as every minor league player does, that being healthy matters. In April 2010 he underwent surgery on his left hand.
The Washington Nationals signed the San Diego Padres 2006 17th rounder to a minor league contract earlier this year.
"I feel that if I can stay healthy this season, I can be successful," he said.
The Massacheusetts native played his first full season in 2007 with the Lake Elsinore Storm, and in 82 games he hit .314 with 54 RBI and 14 home runs. That year Baseball Prospectus ranked him the number one second base prospect. He followed that season playing in a career-high 128 games for Triple-A Portland and hitting .215 before a September call-up by the Padres. After an exciting first MLB at-bat, a single off Greg Maddux, he had an up-and-down ride. He played in 21 games, hitting .193 and knocking in 22 runs.
Antonelli said he knew right around junior year of high school that he would pursue baseball professionally. There were other ideas, though. He thought he might play hockey professionally. Not surprising, when he was named Massacheusets Player Of The Year in hockey and football in his senior year at St. John's Prep.
"I actually thought I had a better chance of playing hockey for a living when I first started high school," he said.
In five years of professional baseball he's been up and down the levels. He's learned the importance of the cliche 'staying within himself.' But it works.
"The game moves a little fast as you move up and get older, so you have to work on slowing the game down. You don't have as much time to do things so you have to be really efficient with everything you are trying to do. As far as hitting goes, you won't have as many opportunities to get that good pitch to hit. You have to make sure your swing is right, so when you get that one good pitch to hit, you don't miss."
His approach to hitting has changed, but he considers that part of the growth process.
"I have definitely changed parts of my approach at the plate since being drafted. I think you learn a little bit each year and you take those things and you add them to your game. A lot of times the things you learn are more mental than physical."
Mental. That thing that's got nothing to do with the talent, but has everything to do with a player's survival and learning what he needs to improve. Antonelli knew that he had to take better at-bats.
"One of the big things I've changed is my aggressiveness. I've had to learn how to be more aggressive. How to look for a certain pitch, and when I get that pitch take my best swing on it," he said.
Luck does factor in, but Antonelli has a gameplan. He knows he has to work hard to make the most of this new chance.
"The one thing I want to get better at this year is my offense. The last three years, I have been either injured or if I was healthy, I hit extremely poorly," Antonelli said. "I know I am a totally different player than I was those three seasons."
So you have a kid that's really good at baseball. And also football. Maybe basketball.
Let's say he excels at baseball, football, and basketball and played both for a few years. It's likely going to be difficult to focus on one or the other. But at some point, like Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, he will have to decide. No rush, though.
“If you can play, you can play,” said Mike Scanlan. Mauer's football coach at Saint Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall where Mauer played quarterback. “[Kids] should not start to have to specialize until after high school.”
Scanlan and his coaches didn't sway Mauer one way or the other. It's a philosophy they share and apply to coaching.
“Play more than one sport as long as you can. I and many of our coaches think the same, but we find ourselves more and more in the minority,” Scanlan said.
Mauer started making news early in his athletic life. As a senior, at 6-4, 205 pounds, he was the only athlete selected as USA Today's High School Player of the Year in football (2000), and later baseball (2001). As a basketball player he was named to the All-State team twice. In his senior year he was offered a football scholarship by Florida State University. He was featured in Sports Illustrated and as a senior year playing quarterback for Derham he completed 178 of 288 passes and 41 touchdowns.
What was it that made the durable Mauer so good at all sports, particularly football and baseball? Scanlan does't point to the obvious skills Mauer had. Instead, he mentions Mauer's approach to competition.
“His ability to excel in pressure situations. He wanted the ball in his hands when the game was on the line,” Scanlan said.
Mauer's height and weight made him durable on the football and baseball field, as well as the basketball court. But while he was multi-talented and could have gone either direction, Scanlan insists that baseball was always the goal.
“As good as Joe was, football and basketball were sports he played to occupy time until baseball started,” Scanlan said. “The Mauers are a baseball family.”
That strong foundation and a clear idea of what he wanted to do with his life gave him a good head on his shoulders. According to Scanlan the face of the Twins franchise was as good a kid off the field as he was on.
“He remained humble even when he had every reason to be otherwise,” Scanlan said. “He didn't need any advice from me.”
When Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson says that his 'marketing guys' haven't been updating his Twitter account, baseball fans (hopefully) understand that many major league players are not actually doing the updating on Twitter.
If they do say anything, it's not much. Good win!!! Tough loss. We'll get 'em tomorrow!!!
Minor league players are in a unique and altogether different position. Many are not yet used to receiving a lot of attention and some are extremely young. They want to be social. And social media is a young man's game.
There's the risk of a young player not censoring himself or being too available. Teams have to warn them, but they're going to do what they want for the most part.
While there have been complaints about girls trying to get close to players, that's a little bit of an overreaction. Those guys meet girls. Whether on Twitter or elsewhere. The biggest problem seems to be fans constant need to have players respond. They shouldn't have to. Twitter is a new way for fans to experience the life of a baseball player on his journey. The wall around athletes gets higher when they make it to the majors. Fans should enjoy their openness to communicate at that stage.
The link below is a list of minor league players on Twitter. Some accounts are idle. And there are probably several players missing. But it's a good list to introduce you to quite a few guys trying to get to the big leagues.
Oh, sure. They've signed big bonuses and there's plenty of highs and hype and, let's be honest, they're playing baseball for a living. Not bad. Right?
Right?
For every guy who makes it to the majors there are plenty who never get closer than Double-A or Triple-A and, maybe, just maybe, get a taste of the majors when an everyday player gets injured or needs a rest. Opportunities might come. Might not.
The working class are the stars in Tony Okun's documentary 'Time In The Minors', now on DVD. The film focuses on Tony Schrager and John Drennen, their everyday lives, struggles, thoughts, and hopeful journey toward the bigs is presented without a smokescreen. And neither player appeared to need one.
Okun began working on the film in 2006, inspired by his love for the game and a desire to pull back the curtains on the minor league experience at it's most basic level.
"I'm a big baseball fan and my motivation and interest to take on the film was born out of my own curiousity and appreciation of the minor leagues," Okun said.
Schrager, a shortstop drafted by the Chicagor Cubs in 1998, with his Ivy League education and business-like manner are a contrast to Drennen's surfer look and way of speaking.
Okun liked the personality differences in both players.
"That was really just a lucky break. They are so different and it was what I wanted, which was two guys at totally different times in their careers," he said. "It worked out well for the film."
Okun interviewed family members of Schrager's (whose family he's known for many years) and Drennen's. Their point of view magnifies the struggles both players face. At one point Schrager's wife suggests that there's more than just personal goals driving Tony. And further illustrates the working class mentality.
"He wants to make it for himself, but he really wants to make it for everyone else. And that's a lot of pressure," she said.
Outfielder Drennen was a first round pick for the Indians in the 2005 MLB draft (a moment shown in the film) and received a $1 million signing bonus. His laid-back nature can be amusing, but it's what makes him all the more intriguing. That laid-back, down to earth nature is even clearer when his parents explain that, upon receiving his million dollar bonus all he wanted was to buy a new fishing pole.
"I always think I'm not doing enough," Drennen says, not long before he heads to his first spring training with the Indians.
Schrager's story takes some painful turns. His career is a prime example of opportunities he missed by a sliver of a chance. It is the unfair reality.
In the most poignant moment of the documentary the Dodgers call up a guy who'd been playing in the Mexican League when Omar Vizquel is injured. At that exact moment, Schrager was experiencing the worst slump of his career, hitting well below the Mendoza Line.
Drennen's opportunities in the organazation continued, while Schrager found himself needing to accept opportunities that were not first choice. After agreeing to play for the Long Island Ducks, he caught the eye of the Florida Marlins. Schrager, though not thrilled to accept a Double-A contract, went for it. He explains that he considers indy league baseball a '"springboard,'"a path many players take to get back in with a major league team.
Drennen experiences something of a minor leaguer rite of passage - a major league player making an appearance, giving a young guy the chance to get a little big league experience without being there. Drennen got to face Roger Clemens when Clemens was coming out of retirement and was assigned to the minor leagues.
A highlight of the documentary is seeing Drennen hit a right field homerun off of Clemens. Clemens, holding court in the post-game press conference, animatedly tells reporters he hopes Dressen "enjoys the room service."
Okun seeked out a high round pick while living in the San Diego area and came upon Drennen.
"I was interested in showing the other side and the perspective of a young, high round draft pick," Okun said. "
Okun admits to struggling to stay neutral and keep his baseball fandom out of the equation. He strived to make it a film every type of baseball fan could enjoy and appreciate.
"The goal was to keep things simple enough so as not to insult, or talk down to the true baseball fan, while also educating the audience on the process," he said.
Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska Okun saw a lot of minor league baseball with the Omaha Royals playing there.
"I remember my dad used to point out the guys that played in the majors or were prospects, so I used to pay particular attention to those players," said Okun.
His experience making the film was something of a education as well. He was surprised by both players tireless dedication and ability to keep a positive attitude.
"One that impressed me was, not once, during the entire time I was around the two guys did I ever hear Tony, or John complain about anything. Nothing at all!" Okun said.
Some things were cut that Okun would've liked to include. Teammates comments on Dressen's "quirky personality" and aspects that would have shown the business side of the minors was omitted, but he wanted to tell a more personal, serious story.
"I decided during the editing process to focus primarily on John and Tony and their process and tell their story."
You can purchase the DVD 'Time In The Minors" at the link below:
The bond between a married couple in baseball has to be strong to survive.
Michael and Jillian Schlact are a prime example of that.
Their story began in their hometown of Georgia and has continued through the ups and downs of minor league life.
"She and I had mutual friends I played Little League baseball with," Schlact said by e-mail. "I remember seeing her at a few of my games when I was younger. The first time we met formally was in high school."
The pitcher was drafted out of Wheeler HIgh School (in Marietta, Georgia) in the 3rd round in the 2004 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers.
Baseball was part of the deal from the very start. And Jillian understood early on the importance of Michael's dedication in getting his opportunity.
"From day one it was a big part of our relationship. Knowing that everyday I had to practice, play, or do some kind of workout can put a strain on the relationship if you let it," Schlact said of the early days.
Jillian was beside him the day the Rangers drafted him.
"She was sitting right next to me at my house. We were huddled around the computer listening to the broadcast of the draft," he said.
After playing rookie ball for the Arizona Rangers in 2004, he played all of 2005 for the Class-A Midwest League Clinton LumberKings. There he led the team in innings pitched with a career high 168 innings and finished the season 10-7 with a 4.17 ERA. He pitched for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders between 2007-09 and finished 2010 with them.
While people hear about the top prospects in baseball and anticipate their big league debuts, there are countless names you don't hear everyday. They have to work extra hard to get their shot. Schlact has never shied from that commitment. But there has been a lot about the journey that has been fun while pushing to get to the majors.
"The most fun in baseball for us has probably been the travel. When you have another player on the team with a wife, you can share the cost of a room on the road, so that our wives can travel," he said. "I just enjoy having Jillian around in different cities and ballparks."
Schlact also talked about the pace of baseball in a relationship and how the changes can come at the drop of a baseball cap.
"Imagine finding out at 10 pm that you've been promoted from California to Texas and you have to leave at 6 am. You can fly, but your wife has to drive," he said. "Oh, and she has the entire apartment to pack up, load the car, and then haul 1500 miles."
The hardest time in their relationship came in 2006.
"The first three years of my career we weren't married. We did the long distance thing and it was the hardest few years of my life," he said. "Being apart from someone who has supported you in baseball and in life isn't fun. Even a three day trip can be tough, but when the road trips are three cities over ten days, it takes a lot of hard work and communication."
But, true to his character, he views it all in a positive light.
"The life of a married baseball couple can be crazy, but it's those times we'll look back on one day and cherish," he said.
He's also embraced social media, something many minor league players have happily embraced while gaining fans anticipating their major league debut. Schlact's 5,869 followers have gotten to know him from his time with the Rangers, during his free agency, and, now, as he enthusiastically embraces the uncertain future. His vibrant personality, religious faith, and sense of humor have made him a favorite.
But it's no surpise if you understand Schlact's overall approach to life and baseball. He fully embraces the joy of the journey. It's also the way the couple approaches the lifestyle of minor league ball.
"The thought of a new team is scary and exciting at the same time. [Jillian and I] believe God puts us where we are meant to be," he said. "She's always right there to pick me up with a Bible verse or just by helping me talk through it."
Still facing free agency as spring training camp opens, Schlact is in a state of flux. He doesn't know where he'll be playing, but Jillian inspires the best in him.
"I'm truly amazed at all she deals with during the season. Faith is the most important thing during the tough times," he said.
For some couples, a 9 to 5 schedule is preferable and not having that stability would break many. But the Schlacts are bonded together by shared values and a shared dream.
"Luckily my wife is a huge baseball fan and also a very understanding person. She has supported me and my dream since day one."
Perhaps Lastings Milledge was just too young to handle the pressure.
Maybe he's ready to handle it.
Except that this time, the pressure is to make a comeback and prove himself worthy of the opportunity the Chicago White Sox have given him. In 2006 the pressure was to live up to the Mets expectations.
Instead, he disappointed the people who'd believed in him and offended teammates. His behavior wasn't celebrated. Results at the plate were not what the Mets had hoped, though he looked impressive enough in his rookie season and the following spring to make the opening day roster in 2007. That year he hit .272, collected 22 RBI and 50 hits. With the Washington Nationals, he showed flashes of the player someone with the Mets once compared to Kirby Puckett, while Milledge was garnering much attention at Double-A Binghamton. He had a solid season in 2008, hitting .279, knocked in 61 runs, and stole 38 bags in a career-high 523 at-bats.
In 2009 with the Pittsburgh Pirates he hit another career high, finishing the season with a .291 batting average and a .395 SLG. He hit .277 in 2010 and actually increased his walks to 28.
None of those numbers is overwhelming and certainly not what baseball people projected when he was a 21-year-old rookie.
At 25, Milledge is still young enough to correct himself on the field and off, and be a fine ballplayer. He has plenty of possibilities. But he cannot keep wasting opportunities.
After making his Major League debut for the Mets, he didn't seem to recognize and appreciate the team's faith in him. It was strange to watch him high five fans after his game-tying agaisolo home run in a game against the San Francisco Giants. He looked almost disoriented. It was clear that the young player didn't have the maturity to respect the importance of professional conduct in the game.
Milledge's behavioral issues were not a secret to the Mets. They were aware that the kid they took in the 12th round in the 2003 draft came with a few heavy bags. His early career was affected by serious allegations of sexual misconduct, including statutory rape.
After the high five incident, a teammate (largely believed to be closer Billy Wagner) left a now infamous note that read "Know your place Rook!" at Milledge's locker. He later recorded a rap song using offensive language toward women
MIlledge's problems at the plate in the minors were often a case of impatience. His approach to life also needed some fine tuning. But the Mets believed they could work with him and right his wrongs. Or at least give him the tools to do that for himself. The Mets plans for him failed in every way and Milledge successfully solidified a perception of himself at a very young age.
The White Sox have very little financial flexibility, so Milledge makes sense from that angle. They signed him to a minor league contract with no incentives, but hopefully signing with that team- and opportunity to make the big league roster- is incentive enough.
"The only limitations are the ones you put on yourself." Tina Gust
Today is the 25th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day and to celebrate their physical strength, HHOTF honors someone on the other side of the game.
Tina Gust was recently named Vice President of MILB, making her the first woman to hold the position.
That might seem like a lot of pressure, but Gust is focused on the job.
"My goals then are the same as they are today. To work hard and do the best job I can everyday to serve our member clubs and help the organization achieve it's goals," she said over the weekend.
Gust previously worked as the director of licensing for MILB and has been a part of MILB since 1998. Her hiring was a huge step into the future. But whatever boys club mentality might still exist in sports, Gust hasn't allowed that to affect her.
"I have never felt like there wasn't a place for me in this game," she said. "Even early on when there weren't as many women in management as there are today.
Today women hold many positions at every level of baseball. Despite negative press about women in the industry frequently taking the front-burner, there are countless women that go unnoticed working behind the scenes and covering sports.
In in an interview in 2010 with MILB president Pat O'Conner, he spoke about the need for more diversity at the minor league level. Gust agrees and sees great potential in O'Conner's plans.
"Pat has been a true leader in this area, spearheading the development of an initiative aimed at diversifying Minor League Baseball in five key areas: ownership, management, staffing, fanbase, and business-to-business," she said.
Gust agrees with O'Conner's vision of MILB reflecting societal changes.
"As the demographics of our country shift, it is important that we reflect the diverse communities we serve," she said. "I see change happening through a combination of the grassroots efforts our clubs are implementing, and our own outreach and educational efforts."
There is a variety of changes Gust would like to usher in at many levels of the minors.
"With a variety of functions as broad as we have, from marketing to umpire development, and baseball operations to managing digital rights, just to name a few," she said.
The main issue she's interested in focusing on is the continuing growth of Minor League Baseball Charities.
"Collectively our industry is incredibly supportive of local and national charities, through both cash donations and gift-in-kind, but there is always more that could be done. I wish we had greater resources at the national level to further expand our charitable efforts."
The historical importance of Gust's hiring is part of the story, but so is her passion for Minor League Baseball. It's a unique world with it's own draw. There is tremendous appeal for die-hard fans, as well as those who want to introduce their children to baseball. Particularly those on a budget. MILB teams embrace the locals in many ways.
"I'm so proud of the role Minor League Baseball plays in each of the communities we call home. Our teams offer affordable, family-friendly entertainment. I love going to our ballparks and just watching the fans," she said.
"Each one is experiencing the same game, but in a different way," she continues. "It's fun to sit back and imagine all the different stories playing out around the ballpark."
While baseball continues to evolve, and women are more and more a part of its operations, Gust is looking ahead with a ton of positive energy.
"On any given day, I am inspired, challenged, entertained, and provided an opportunity to make a difference."
Women will continue to battle sexism in the industry. There will always be those attitudes. But Gust sees a vast landscape that is everchanging and always expanding. Women have already come so far in the industry.
Gust represents a reason to hope for more and believe it's possible.
"If you look around our industry now, in both Major and Minor League baseball there are so many women in leadership roles within their respective organizations," Gust said. "It's encouraging to see, and be part of, that growth."
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