Every
young baseball player has stars in their eyes when they begin their career,
dreaming about the possibilities before them. With talent and hard work,
anything is possible, and in time can tell who will ultimately realize their
dreams. More often than not players see their careers take unexpected turns,
but if they are able to roll with the punches they can still find success in
baseball. Michael Schlact is about to enter his 10th professional
season, having never pitched in the major leagues, but hasn’t let that stop him
from achieving success and satisfaction in his career.
Schlact,
a tall right-handed pitcher, was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the 3rd
round of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia.
The Rangers pushed Schlact through their system as a starter, moving him up a
level each year until he reached Double-A in 2007. Their aggressiveness had
mixed results, as he often struggled with consistency. He couldn’t get above
Double-A, playing there each season through 2010. His time with the Rangers
came to an end because of a shoulder injury suffered that year, but fortunately
did not end his career.
Instead
of hanging up his glove, Schlact did the rehab and resumed pitching in the
independent Atlantic League. He has continued to battle injuries, but has not
given up on his baseball journey and continues to play and see where the game
will take him. He has appeared in 163 professional games, posting a 40-54
record with a 5.28 ERA. More information on his statistics is available at http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=schlac001mic.
Schlact has
become one of the most accessible players in baseball, routinely blogging and
maintaining an active presence on Twitter.
I had an opportunity to interview him last off-season and found him to be a
great representative of professional baseball. The end of his baseball journey
is still being written, but it is clear the affable pitcher is having a good
time along the way.
Michael Schlact Interview:
Who was your favorite team growing up, and why?:
My favorite team growing up was the Atlanta Braves. I was a hometown kid, and I
went to Fulton County Stadium and Turner Field every summer with my friends and
family.
What was the process like getting drafted by the Rangers in 2004?: It was crazy. I listened to the draft on the Internet with my entire family, and when my name was called we all went crazy. From there it was a whirlwind because I had to negotiate a contract and then head off to play ball.
If you could do anything differently about your career in the minor leagues, what would it be?: I would cherish every single second. Sometimes you get so caught up in making it to the big leagues that you forget to enjoy the ride.
What was the process like getting drafted by the Rangers in 2004?: It was crazy. I listened to the draft on the Internet with my entire family, and when my name was called we all went crazy. From there it was a whirlwind because I had to negotiate a contract and then head off to play ball.
If you could do anything differently about your career in the minor leagues, what would it be?: I would cherish every single second. Sometimes you get so caught up in making it to the big leagues that you forget to enjoy the ride.
What is your favorite moment from
your playing career?: Probably the Atlantic League All-Star game from
2011. It was the first time I'd ever been a part of something like that.
Who has been your favorite coach
or manager?: Last year (2011) I played for a first year manager
named Patrick Osborn. He was awesome. He had fire, determination, and knew the
game. He made it fun to show up at the yard every day.
You have become known for things
like blogging and doing "Live Roadtrip Tweeting." What led you to get
involved in that type of social media/interaction?:
My wife's brother introduced me to Twitter, and then boredom led me to doing
it. When I was rehabbing my shoulder, I figured I could tweet about my
experiences and my trials. The rest is history.
How much of a goal is making it
the major leagues to you?: I would love it, of course. Honestly, I'm enjoying
playing the game so much, and I know that I've worked as hard as I can. I'm
exploring every option and leaving no stone unturned, so if it doesn't work out
for some reason, I can look in the mirror and know I gave it my all.
Who is the biggest character you
have ever played with or against?: With: Christian Lopez. The guy
is amazing. Against: Luis Lopez.
What do you think you will do
once you decide to stop playing?: I haven't thought too much about
that, but possibly coaching or broadcasting. I'd love to stay around the
game.
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