Why I'm Looking Forward to the 2014 Boston Red Sox’s Spring Training

The cold temperatures do a nice job of breaking a man’s spirit. However, even frigid conditions can’t temper the excitement over the dawning of a new baseball season, which for Boston Red Sox fans will kick off on February 15th when pitchers and catchers report to camp in Fort Myers, Florida. From there, it will all roll downhill until the regular season officially starts when the team visits the Baltimore Orioles on March 31st.

Spring training is a time to get to know the team. Sure, the roster is returning a lot of familiar faces but the attitude and feel of the squad changes from year to year. Heck, some seasons it even changes from week to week.

Personally, I like spring training. The games are glorified practices, and wins and losses really (or lack thereof) and what they can potentially bring, and in the worst cases, what they might take away from the team.

With less than a month remaining until spring training kicks off, here is what I am looking forward to most about the Red Sox’s camp:

-The kids. Boston recently placed nine players on MLB.com’s 2014 top-100  prospect list. Having nearly 10 percent of the top prospects in baseball in the organization is an embarrassment of riches, and there are a lot of talented youngsters who didn’t even make the rankings. A good chunk of Boston’s future will be on full display this spring, although only a few will actually break camp with the team.

-The 2013 team had some of the best camaraderie seen in the majors in recent memory. Although key members of that unit, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Stephen Drew (for now) won’t be there, it will be interesting to see if they can continue the brotherly love. Win, lose or draw, the games are always more fun to watch if the players come across as enjoying themselves and playing together.

-In 2013, the ongoing team gimmick was the magnificent beards grown by a large portion of the roster. It appears that will largely be a thing of the past, as outfielder Jonny Gomes has already indicated the facial hair was so last year.

What will be planned for 2014? Perhaps nothing, but if another trend emerges, my vote would be for big belt buckles—assuming those pass MLB regulations muster. Fans should stay tuned on the edge of their seats because if there is something new, it will likely be fodder for popular t-shirt designs later in the season.

- Every spring training, an “It” player becomes the talk of camp. Last season, it was outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who seemingly hit around .850 and walked on water.

Although he went on to hit just .189 in 37 games in Boston during the regular season, his otherworldly performance before the games mattered, developed his reputation and solidified his stock as one of Boston’s most prized prospects.

With all the kids getting kudos on current prospect lists, any number of candidates might be this year’s Bradley. Seeing who pulls ahead around early March will be fun to say the least.

-The signing of outfielder Grady Sizemore may not have made big waves outside of Boston but his arrival is now being eagerly anticipated by the Fenway Faithful. Time and injuries have ravaged the 31-year-old but he is supposedly as healthy as he has been in years. He last played in 2011 and has since had major knee surgeries, and it remains to be seen what he has left in the tank.

It was only about five years ago he was considered one of the best players in the majors; a true five-tool player on the cusp of superstar status. Then things unraveled quickly.

Of course, the odds are stacked against Boston’s newest hero, but until he absolutely proves otherwise, there’s no reason to count him out before he even takes the field for the first time in a Red Sox uniform. Although his comeback may go off the tracks at any time, as long as he has a bat and a glove, and is still able to stand upright, there is always a chance he could go all Roy Hobbs.

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Seth Conner: Toronto Blue Jays' Catching Prospect Enjoying His Baseball Journey

In baseball, the glitz and glamour of major leaguers can sometimes make the profession appear to be both charmed and carefree. However, for the majority of professional players, that’s far from the case. Many play for the love of the game, hoping that one day they might get an opportunity to attain the highest level of their craft.

Toronto Blue Jays’ catching prospect Seth Conner is one of the young players currently on his baseball journey; putting in the work and obtaining the experiences necessary to hopefully one day get him to the majors.

Conner was a 41st-round draft pick of Toronto in 2010 out of Logan-Rogersville High school in Rogersville, Missouri.

In three seasons since joining the Toronto organization, he has reached as high as Single-A (in 2013) and combined to hit .248 with six home runs, 66 RBIs and a .359 OBP in 152 games. More information on his statistics can be found here.

Originally an infielder, he was converted to catcher in 2012 and has made steady progress at his new position.

Last spring, Conner answered some questions about his career. He is very reflective of his baseball experiences, and his answers are well worth the read. If you want to continue following this Toronto prospect as a new season dawns, make sure to find him on Twitter. He is definitely somebody worth rooting for.

Seth Conner Interview:

Who was your favorite player when you were growing up, and why?: My favorite player growing up had to be Albert Pujols. Growing up as a Cardinal fan in southwest Missouri, I quickly became a fan of Pujols, the Redbird slugger, when he came up in 2001 when I was 9. He was my favorite player not only because of his on field stats, but also because of his off the field character and reputation. I also identified with him when I read that he used his draft position as motivation to work harder and succeed.

How much influence did your family have on you becoming a baseball player?: My family is great! They are a huge part of why I've had success growing up playing, and why I have success now. Since I was two, my dad (Terry) has had a bat in my hands, and my mom (Corinne), and brother (Christian) have been there cheering me on along the way.

The great part about my family is I know they love me unconditionally, regardless of whether I'm playing baseball or not.  They taught me that my faith in Christ is the most important thing in this life, but gave me every opportunity to succeed and play as long as I loved the game and remained passionate about it. They cared more about my character and that I would work hard and do my very best whatever I set out to do. I had hitting lessons growing up and eventually, once I was in high school, was selected to play for the Midwest Nationals coached by Randy Merryman, who helped me get my foot in the door.

Can you describe what your draft experience was like?: My draft experience was a little bit of a crazy one. The start of my senior year of high school, I wasn't even thinking about professional baseball or getting drafted. I signed with Jefferson County Community College and working to get a Division-One scholarship, not getting drafted.

Coach Merryman was a bird dog scout for the Texas Rangers and had a good relationship with some of the professional scouts in the area. After doing a couple of showcases, the idea of me being potentially drafted became real and not just a dream.

My three big teams were the Blue Jays, Giants, and Royals. A cross-checker with the Blue Jays, named Brandon Mozely, lived in my area and had watched me play since my sophomore year and liked me. That helped, since he was higher than an area scout and going to be in the draft room on draft day. I really thought I was going to go somewhere in rounds 15-30, but slipped all the way to the 41st round and was drafted by the Blue Jays.

I was honored to just be drafted but honestly thought I was going to go to college. When I got the phone call that I had been drafted, I was in a local sporting goods store searching for an aluminum bat for summer ball.

I actually signed with the Blue Jays seven minutes before the twelve o'clock deadline on August 17th. The Blue Jays were trying to sign their higher top-ten round picks, and were waiting to see if they had any money even available. I was blessed to have the opportunity to sign and I am very thankful the Blue Jays gave me the chance to pursue my dream. So, my draft process was a little hectic, but it worked out in the end and I am a proud Toronto Blue Jay.

In hindsight, how do you feel about your decision to go pro rather than continuing with school?: You always wonder a little bit if you made the right decision (especially if things aren't going well), but for me, choosing to go pro was the right choice and what I wanted to do. I have buddies who are in college, and while I do hope to go back and get my education, I think from a development side pro ball was definitely the right choice. It is also much easier to focus on the baseball side of things rather than trying to juggle school and baseball. I give a lot of credit to student athletes because that takes a tremendous amount of dedication and work, and I really tip my hat to them. For me though, pro ball is right where I want to be.

Can you talk a little bit about how it was decided that you would convert to catching?: Well, I had caught a little bit in high school, and then after I was drafted, the Blue Jays did a draft and follow. They would come and watch me play during the summer and intrigued the idea of catching, and that's where I believe the whole catching thing started.

My first instructional league in 2010, I caught last two weeks of our five week program and that was my first introduction to catching in pro ball. My second year and first full year, I caught in spring training then just played third and first throughout extended and the Gulf Coast League and again at instructs I caught the last week.

The real transition started in 2012. In spring training, all I did was catch, and the same throughout extended spring training and into the beginning of the Gulf Coast League and my first couple weeks in Bluefield in the Appalachian League. I ended up playing a lot of first base in Bluefield because our first basemen, Art Charles, got moved up to Vancouver. I then would still catch, but only once, and at the most twice, a week.

I again caught all instructional league, and went down to our facility in the Dominican to get an extra three weeks of work.  I still enjoy playing infield and that’s where I've played my whole life, so the transition was tough, but that’s where the Blue Jays and my minor league field coordinator Doug Davis believe I will excel, and they know much more about this game than I do, so I'm going to work my tail off and try and become the best catcher that I can be. I have a lot of respect for catchers now just because I know how much work it takes to be good at it. I'm very impressed with catchers who not only catch well, but can hit also.

What was the most difficult part about the life of a professional player to get used to besides the travel?: I think the most difficult part about playing minor league baseball is actually two things; one being away from home, and two learning how to fail.

The first one is kind of self explanatory. For a kid from a small farming town (Rogersville, MO), who loves being around his family, being gone for seven months in a completely new environment was a little bit of a transition.

The second one I think is the most vital and the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my short professional career. Most high school draft kids that come into pro ball were standouts at their various programs, but as you come into pro ball everyone is on more of a level playing field. Everyone is good. I am speaking generally. You have your standouts; the Bryce Harpers and Mike Trouts of the world, and those guys are unbelievably gifted. For a lot of guys though, they come in and have never failed and don't know what that is like to fail, so it is very difficult for them to get out of that along with the pressure of people who can look up your stats, writers write about you, critics, fans, and so forth. So for me, I had a terrible start to my first full season but battled out of it, and looking back, failure was such a gift for me that year because I know what it's like and how to handle it.

What does it take for a prospect to stand out in an organization full of young players?: For me this question is summed up by one guy, Kevin Pillar. I think he is an inspiration to a lot of players including myself. You look at the guy and he was a 32nd rounder senior sign out of a D-II college in California.  I think he is going to be a great big leaguer in the very near future. He won the Appy League batting title his first year and pretty much hasn't stopped hitting since.  He led the Blue Jays’ minor league system in a lot of offensive categories, steals bases, is a great outfielder and most of all a great teammate.

Honestly though, I think hard work, production, numbers, and what kind of teammate you are all factors that help you stand out. In the end, the be-all category is about your numbers. You put numbers up, you’re going to stand out and get moved. You work hard; that gets noticed. What kind of teammate and clubhouse guy you are, I think that gets noticed as well.

What do you consider your best attribute as a player, and which one do you think you need to work on the most?: I consider my best attributes as a player to be hard work and my mental approach to the game. Hard work is the way I was raised, and I take pride in my job and trying to get better a little each day. The mental approach and just knowing situations in games, and like I said, learning to fail and compete each and every day.

I do feel like I have a huge focus on catching right now. Learning how to handle a pitching staff, calling pitches, controlling a game, getting better in all facets defensively, etc... I think you’re always learning and trying to get better though in all areas of your game. When you think you have it all figured out, I think that would be a scary place to be.

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Ty Cobb’s Turn as a Stage Actor

Ty Cobb was one of the greatest baseball players to ever grace a diamond. During a 24-year major league career, he hit .366 with 12 batting titles, both the highest marks of all-time, and was ultimately inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

He was also a complicated man, known for his intolerance  and ferociousness, both on and off the field. When he died in 1961, he was incredibly wealthy, yet essentially alone—having lived an incredible life but not maintaining the relationships befitting his station.

Cobb wasn’t just baseball and controversy. There were many facets to him, with one of the least well-known being a brief bit of stage acting he did following the 1911 season.

Although Cobb was one of the best-paid players in baseball during his career, it was common practice for most major leaguers to barnstorm or have a second job during the offseason. The star outfielder was no exception.

In 1911, Cobb was 25 and coming off a season that saw him hit an amazing .420 for the Detroit Tigers. He was the face of baseball and in a position to capitalize on it.

According to Rob Edelman, who wrote about Cobb’s acting for SABR, Cobb was invited to try his hand at the stage by Vaughan Glaser, an actor-director who oversaw a Georgia-based theater company.

Dan Holmes wrote in Ty Cobb: A Biography, that Glaser reportedly offered Cobb in the neighborhood of $8,400 to play the part of Billy Bolton, a fourth-year freshman college football player, in the production of The College Widow. It was a popular comedy of the time and would be later made into the Marx Brothers film, Horse Feathers.

The play was a travelling show, going all over the country during the late fall and early winter months. Because of the nice payday and the promise he would receive acting coaching, Cobb accepted.

He wasn’t the only major leaguer in the troupe at first. He was joined by Shoeless Joe Jackson, an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians and his closest equal as a hitter. However, the quiet South Carolinian quit his supporting role shortly after the tour began and returned home.

When the production reached Nashville, Cobb suited up and practiced with the Vanderbilt football team—apparently trying his hand at method acting.

His arrival in the land of country music and barbeque was eagerly anticipated. Bill Traughber cited a newspaper account, which was impressed by his thespian abilities. "On the stage Mr. Cobb is maintaining the same high average that has marked his work on the diamond. Although the footlights are new to him, he declares he never had stage fright and likes the work.”

Not everyone appreciated Cobb’s acting, according to a June 13, 1915 article in the New York Times. The ballplayer received very marked criticism from the editor of The News in Birmingham, Alabama. The two exchanged heated letters, including Cobb telling him, “I am a better actor than you are, a better sports editor than you are, a better dramatic critic than you are. I make more money than you do, and I know I am a better ball player—so why should inferiors criticize superiors?”

Being a professional sports star, Cobb apparently took to the pressures of acting naturally. Edelman quoted him as explaining, “Much to my surprise, I managed to get through my first night on the stage without that awful bugaboo, ‘stage fright,’ attacking my heart and dropping me in my tracks. But I had been warned so much regarding such an attack that I made every preparation to guard against it. It was just like figuring out what kind of a ball a pitcher was going to put over. I knew it was coming and waited for it. A few appearances on the stage gave me reassurance and now I am perfectly at home. I find stage work wonderfully interesting and I like it.”

The show was a success wherever it went, as people piled into seats to see the famous baseball deliver a comedic performance. However, despite the success, Cobb unexpectedly decided to pull a diva move.

According to Edelman, Cobb explained, “Here I am at the end of several months on the boards four pounds under my playing weight when under . . . more natural conditions I should be from five to ten pounds over that notch. I am becoming nervous and I miss my regular sleep. It was my ambition . . . to become a good actor, but in attaining that object I see that my usefulness as a baseball player is bound to suffer and so I have decided to cut out the stage for the pastime which first made me the reputation I enjoy.” 

After nearly 10 weeks travelling all over North America as an actor, Cobb returned home and spent the next several weeks with his family before heading off to start a new baseball season.

There were possible other reasons why Cobb didn’t finish his full run of shows. Dennis Abrams wrote that the crusty player felt uncomfortable kissing his female on-stage co-star and also worried that the bright production lights would possibly damage his refined batting eye. He also intensely disliked not being thought of being the best at whatever he did. Even though the show was popular, and he had displayed great bravado in defending himself to the Birmingham critic, he also must have known that his presence was primarily that of a novelty.

Although he cut his first acting gig short, The College Widow wasn’t his only brush with show business. He later acted in at least one silent film, and also appeared on some television quiz shows.

Show business was big business, and for a man who proved himself incredibly intelligent at amassing a fortune, it’s not a great surprise he continued to go back to the well to capitalize on his reputation and celebrity.

Just think how odd it would be to see Mike Trout in an off-Broadway production of Cats. The same would have applied when Cobb tested out his acting chops. He brought out the lookie-loos, and made good money, but ultimately knew baseball was where his bread was buttered. Nevertheless, it is yet another fascinating chapter in the life of one of baseball’s most interesting figures.

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Lance McCullers Jr.: Houston Astros Prospect Taking Up the Family Business

Make no mistake about it. The Houston Astros may have lost 111 games in 2013 but they are definitely a franchise on the rise. Led by an overhauled front office and an impressive farm system that has been getting better by the year, the team will be back in contention in short order.

One of the young players who appears to have a bright future with the club is right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers.  Having just completed his second professional season, he is still a ways away from the big leagues, but with his talent and pedigree he should make it there in short order.

If the 20-year-old’s name sounds familiar, that’s because it should. His father, also named Lance McCullers, was a major league pitcher for seven years for the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers. From 1985-1992, he compiled a 28-31 record with a 3.25 ERA and 39 saves in 306 games (all but nine in relief).

Clearly baseball is in the McCullers’ genes. The younger Lance starred for Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. According to the Tampa Bay Times’ Laura Keeley, he was a perfect 13-0 with a 0.18 ERA as a senior, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year and developing a major reputation as a national prospect. He struck out 140 of the 310 batters he faced that year, and had fielded scholarship offers from major schools for years leading up to that point.

McCullers wound up being drafted by the Astros with the 41st overall pick (supplemental round) in 2012. Ironically, it was the exact same spot his father had been drafted in 1982 by the Philadelphia Phillies.

During his first two seasons, the younger McCullers has done nothing to tarnish his reputation as a top prospect. Pitching across three levels, he has combined to go 6-9 with a 3.24 ERA in 33 games (27 starts). Flashing a powerful arsenal, his 146 strikeouts in 130.2 innings are a good sign of his future ability to be an excellent major league starter.

During this offseason, McCullers answered some questions about his career. Make sure to read on to find out more about this important piece of the Astros future. Also, give him a follow on Twitter to keep up with him as he prepares for another season and another opportunity to get closer to the big leagues.

Lance McCullers Jr. Interview:

Who was your favorite player when you were growing up, and why?: My favorite player was Mariano [Rivera]. I had such a deep respect, like many others do, for the way he handled himself. He was a superstar through and through but was so humble and professional about his game. He is someone I idolize as a player and a person. 

How did having a dad who played major league baseball impact you?: Tremendously. He helped me in ways I don't even know yet. I think baseball is in my veins. I love the game and have a deep appreciation for it.  It's unlike any other sport, and my father, from a young age, taught me how to always respect the game. 

How did you first find out that the Astros were interested in you?: I had a pre-draft meeting with the club and knew they were at a couple of my games, but the Astros came out of nowhere on draft day and scooped me up.

What pitches do you throw and which do you think you need to work on the most?: I throw both a four-seam and two-seam fastball. I also throw a power curveball and a four-seam and two-seam changeup.

As a ball player, especially a pitcher, you are always working hard and trying to find ways to reinvent/improve your game. I think I just need to work on trusting all of my pitches and being as consistent as possible with them in all counts and situations.

What do you consider to be the primary strengths of the Houston organization?: Depth. Everywhere I look I see big league talent. 

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?: To battle every inning and throw every pitch as if it were your last because once the game passes you by, you are going to want it all back. 

What are your personal goals for 2014?: Stay healthy and carry a heavier work/innings load. I will work on attacking the zone, forcing early contact and going deep into starts. 

If you could go toe to toe with any major league hitter, past or present, who would it be and why? How would you pitch to him?: Pete Rose. He is the Hit King, plain and simple. I would come in hard, maybe brush him back a little. Then, come back with a good curveball for a strike. Then I would challenge him with a fastball or two on the outer half and hopefully he was out by then. 

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