My main goal coming into spring training was to make enough of an impression so when they needed someone during the season, they would consider me. I never would have guessed that this would transpire. |
People ask me how I hit that way, and I say, 'I grew up watching Kirby Puckett. He was the kind of guy who had that Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire factor, where he would go to other stadiums and people from those cities would watch him play. |
People see me as a position player who can catch, when I'm a catcher that can play other positions. That's a huge difference, and what I've been trying to get people to see since I was 23 years old. I think I'm getting to catch because I've been hitting pretty well and they want to see if I can handle it. There are plenty of first/third baseman to go around. If I don't at least show the catching, there's no place for me. |
Small consolation. The chance to play ... That was the big thing. |
There's a week left, but it still feels like two or three more weeks, because there are so many questions. I wanted to be a [major league] baseball player since I saw my first game when I was 5. This is the closest I've been. |
This is the closest I've been. Even though it's still unclear, the one positive note is that I'm on the map. If I don't make the team, it will be disappointing, but for the first time in my career, I know there'll be a shot during the season. |
Whether I have a whole career in Triple-A or not, who knows? It's still a pretty good life, but at this stage, just to get one call-up would be nice. |