The tools of ignorance
My (lucky!) hat’s off to Koyie Hill, who’s displayed stamina and grace since the Summer Classic and Geo Soto’s stint on the DL. Catchers are a tough bunch by nature, but Koyie has managed the daily grind through extra-innings and more. I realize he’s hovering near the Mendoza line, but appreciate his handling of the staff and iron man attitude. (And the triple yesterday!)
(I have a soft spot for Koyie and other players coming out of the Wichita State University program. The Shockers are my dad’s team; perennial Missouri Valley leaders. They’ve sent many players to the majors in addition to Koyie, including Doug Mirabelli, Eric Wedge, Braden Looper, Mike Pelfrey and my childhood neighbor Darren Dreifort.)
Go Shocks! Baseball Wu
And what of the bullpen catcher?
Most clubs only want to carry two catchers (with another fielder being the “emergency” catcher.) The bullpen catcher allows the manager to keep his rostered staff available to pinch hit and pinch run.
I’ve often wondered about those anonymous, nearly invisible guys who seem to serve double duty – warming up the relief pitchers and protecting the bullpen from stray balls.
Are they aspiring Major Leaguers who are THISCLOSE to the show? Wanna be coaches? The New Jersey Star Ledger recently said “Bullpen catchers aren’t drafted, they aren’t developed and they don’t undergo much training. Most of them just fall into the job one way or another.” I asked Carrie Muskat for scoop on the Cubs guys. She told me “the Cubs’ two catchers both have baseball backgrounds…they also both have connections to the players, and were recommended for the job. A lot of it is who you know.”
As we near the trading deadline, who knows what’s in Lou’s heart for behind-the-plate service. But meantime, I will keep cheering for Koyie.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
ok, ok so this is a national league blog, but let’s not forget about the best catcher in baseball, joe mauer…
Hey Susan – I caught for 13 years. Perhaps this is one of the reasons we get along so well?
As far as bullpen catchers go, the catcher for the Detroit Tigers (my personal favorite team) was a college player and coached a college team in Kentucky prior to his time with the Tigers. Not only does he warm up the pitchers, but also throws pre-game BP. Very versatile addition to the coaching staff of the team. He was also selected twice in the past few years to throw for Magglio Ordonez and Brandon Inge in the homerun derby. Not a bad career to have!
Hi Susan–
Hey, I used to watch all those Shockers back in the day–Gene Stephenson’s boys. And don’t forget Tyler Green, who brought the heat to Eric Wedge. Some great teams back then, and what a terrific college stadium!
Bill
Hi Buddy,
Don’t forget the best Shocker of them all, Joe Carter! Before joining Cleveland, he took the Shocks to a national championship game in 1982 and put the program on the map.