| 26 July 2011
Over the past few weeks, Red Sox minor leaguer Mike McCarthy has been keeping a diary here at AaronTorres-Sports.com. Mike is a good friend, and twice the person that he is baseball player, so I’ve been glad to have him on board, and sharing insight from life on the road.
And after a short hiatus, Mike is back, with his most detailed post yet. After sharing his experiences on the path to Division I baseball, his final year of college ball and what it’s been like moving to the bullpen as a pro, this week Mike discusses the intimate details of what it’s like to be a minor league baseball player. The food, the accommodations, the long bus rides. And of course the baseball, where he playing for the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox Rookie Ball affiliate.
Here’s Mike’s most recent journal entry...
Baseball is a game of constant adjustment; everything from in at-bat adjustment to adjusting ones diet. As ball players we are constantly tweaking and tinkering with every part of our game to make us the best we can be. Since arriving in Lowell I have learned to make the adjustment from starter for the past 4 years to reliever. While it has not been easy and I am still learning, I have started to find my stride over the past few outings and really understand what it takes to be a closer. I have still barely scratched the surface but I think over the last six weeks of the season I will continue to grow and learn about how to fill my new role.
Closing is an interesting position for many reasons. I have gone multiple stretches of 4+ games without throwing, but I still need to be available for each game. Each game can become a closing situation. All it takes is the other team putting up a few runs, or my own team putting up a few runs. One of the lessons I learned early on is to never assume the game is in hand. This is especially true with how well our offense puts up runs. A game can go from 11-4 to 11-9 in one inning. If you’re not ready for it, then you'll get surprised and possibly cost your team the game.
That doesn't mean each game will be that way, but as a closer you must assume they all will end up with you closing them out. Even if we don't have a lead, there is always the possibility that the manager and pitching coach will bring me in to "stay sharp." If that moment pops up and you’re not ready, it will pass by, leaving you nothing but an inflated ERA and a sore ego.
Closing isn't the only adjustment that has been a huge change. The move from college to the professional ranks is a really tough thing to do as well. Everything from how to handle yourself in the clubhouse, to understanding how to prepare for a road trip. I know as a fan of the game and having not been in a professional baseball I always assumed "playing pro ball would be easy" and "for that kind of money I would do that, no problem." While I haven't seen the money part, I have seen the long bus trips, slept in dorm room beds and at times dealt with the poor diet that goes along with playing in the minor leagues.
While in college I had the convenience of having a full kitchen to make meals and a car to go get groceries on a regular basis. In the minor leagues, it is nearly the opposite. We are completely reliant on dorm food, catered food from a local restaurant and using a cab to get anywhere you'd like to go. Good, healthy meals can be tough to come by. One of the hardest parts for me has been how to gain weight, without eating poor food and still staying within the budget of a minor league ball player. Nearly all the money that we make goes to helping improve our living environment.
While on the bus, stops are at the bus driver and manager’s discretion. There is no complaining allowed so, we always make sure to have packed plenty of water and snacks to last the trip. Fast food is often times the only option we get when stopping, so I've tried to understand how to make a relatively balanced meal out of McDonald's and Taco Bell. Definitely a challenge at times.
I know some of this has come off somewhat negative. It is merely trying to give you (the reader and fan) a bit of an understanding into the minor leagues. In the end, I feel extremely lucky to be in the position I am. Many people are trying to survive without a job, without a steady supply of food or without health care. I am fortunate enough to have all of these things and much more. We (professional athletes) are very lucky to have what we do and live the life we have. On behalf of all the minor league players I want to thank you (the fans) for your support and passion for sports. Without you we would not be able to do what we do.
Next week: "The Fan-Player Relationship and Why We Can Unintentionally Be, 'Such Jerks!'"
Photo Credit: Google.com
(Feel free to contact Mike or Aaron, by commenting below, or sending an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . As things stand right now, Mike plans on posting every week here at AaronTorres-Sports.com.
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