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Kenny Baugh: Update
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Location: Blogs . |
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| Posted by: Content Administrator |
4/1/2007 |
He’s a Dell Morgan MVP award winner and first round draft pick in 2001. He’s one of only a handful of Division 1-A pitchers to record 40+ victories and 400+ strikeouts in his career. He’s hanging out in Florida Marlins camp and he’s taken the time to check in with RUBPA. He’s Kenny Baugh.
What’s going on everybody? Its Kenny Baugh here checking in from West Palm Beach, Florida
This last year was quite an experience for me. For all those who didn’t know I spent the first four years of my professional career with the Detroit Tigers. Following several seasons the Tigers got tired of my attitude, selfishness, and off the field problems and decided to ship me off to San Diego in a trade involving a pair a cleats, a bucket of David sunflower seeds, and a clubby named Milton. I haven’t seen the actual transaction report but I felt pretty good about the move since it was a 3 for 1 deal. My stay wasn’t as long with San Diego. After straining a muscle in camp and getting healthy a month later, I found myself released and headed back to Houston for the remainder of the summer. This past off-season, thanks to former teammates Nick Martin, Jon Skaggs, and Phillip Barzilla, I got myself back in shape and ready to compete with the Florida Marlins.
… So now here I am.
One of the exciting things about being in baseball (especially in a new situation) is that you never know who or what you’ll see. When I checked into the team hotel the first day, I ran into none other than David Humen. For those of you who don’t remember, Hume (as he specifically told me to call him now) was a 6’1 right-handed pitcher who made me, and several other Rice teammates cringe upon the site of him throwing for the first time. Hume had a weird glove positioning and an over the top delivery to match that looked as if he would tear his shoulder apart every time he released the ball. It was unorthodox and pretty strange but I have to tip my hat to the guy because he did throw upwards of 95mph. I still don’t remember what we used to call him so if anyone can refresh my memory please do so. Anyway, it was great to know that I had at least one person to eat with during lunch.
The first day of pitcher/catcher camp I also met a lefty named Ben Julianel, one of Skaggs’ former Yankee teammates. He and I over the course of two weeks have had some pretty funny exchanges most of which involve Jon and his competitiveness. One I remember distinctly was an underground wiffle ball tournament that they set up in the locker room in Tampa. It was so fierce that the guys involved would show up at noon everyday to the ballpark just to play. (For all those who aren’t aware, stretch time is usually 4pm for a 7pm game) It got so competitive that it had to be shut down because there were too many arguments that erupted during the games. Of course Ben says its because “...I’d beat up on him throwing right-handed and he couldn’t take the defeats” (There’s more to that quote obviously but that’s the good part). Besides the numerous wiffle ball tourneys at the field and at their apartment, he also told stories of the physical fitness and endurance competitions between the two. I can already picture it. I think we all heard stories over the years and when they are consistent with what we have experienced with a former teammate it makes it that much better.
Besides the day to day spring routine (which I think is rather boring compared to the people and off-the-field stuff), I stumbled across a pretty controversial baseball site that has received quite a bit of media attention these past two months. Last week I went to get a massage at Campbell Sports Rehab just down the street from my hotel in Palm Beach Gardens. While waiting in the lobby one of the clinicians handed me the latest SI with Dontrelle Willis on the cover. The article she told me to read talked about the steroid and HGH ring that was uncovered involving doctors, Florida clinics, online web sites and a couple of athletes. It just so happened that Campbell Sports Rehab was just next door to Palm Beach Rejuvenation, one of the anti-aging clinics that was under investigation. What are the chances? Just to think, if I had only been there a day earlier I might have gotten a chance to be part of the photo shoot. Just joking. I did take a picture in front of the clinic to memorialize the moment. (If you get a chance check out the article)
Anyway, this week is the last one of spring training. It’s a stressful time for all because people are shuffled up and down levels and even released in order to form each team. Things have gone well for me and it looks like I’ll be headed to start the year off in Triple A Albuquerque. Thanks for taking the time to read my write up and for the support over the years. Wish us all luck this week!
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