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bcimmet · 01-05-2004, 02:55 AM

The Journal of Christopher Quinn (2b, Pittsburgh Pirates)

MARCH 1, 2005

Spring Training! I’m actually at the facility in Augusta, GA, working out with the major league team. There’s sixty-three of us here, all vying for spots on the ILB roster. Some of these guys are guaranteed spots – the guys were the regular starters, the big names, the veterans from last year. Others are a combination of AAA players, free agents, non-roster invitees, and so on. I’m on a minor-league contract, but if I make the opening day squad, I’ll be signed to a major league minimum deal ($300k for the year). It’s the same competition as last year; we didn’t pick up any free agent second basemen. I’m anticipating Porras getting the starting nod with Joe Bowden as his backup. I’ll probably share time with Bauza in AAA.

I’m torn whether I’d like AAA better than the bigs. Less pressure, but lamer attitude. In AAA, they care more about personal growth than about winning. In the bigs, it’s all about winning. I’m torn.

I’ve gotten to know one of the other young-ish players. Fonzi Sato is several years older than I am, but he was last year’s NL Rookie of the Year, hitting 35 homers with 124 RBI in his first full season. We’ve been throwing and taking batting practice together, which is fun. It’s making the time here more festive. I’ve also been talking a lot with Bob Temples, our closer. It’s sort of like an uncle, more or less. He’s got two nephews who are about my age, and he doesn’t get to see them too often. I think that’s what drew him to talking to me in the first place. It’s nice to be bonding with some of the major players. You know that Sato and Temples are going to be on the roster next year. I wonder if there’s anything with them putting a good word in for me...

We did sign four free agents: Joe Perreault, a 37-year old starter with 180 career wins for Kansas City, Oakland, the Mets and Anaheim, but last year had his worst pro season, going 7-15 with a 5.93. He’s in town, and should be a good shot at a #4 or #5 starter in our rotation; Kyle Heckard, a utility player who has been with Montreal, Houston and the Yankees over the last six years (career average .269, 40 HR, 189 RBI in 574 games). Heckard is primarily a third baseman, but saw action at six positions last year; Francisco Gonzalez, a first baseman journeyman who has played for Kansas City, St. Louis, Oakland and Boston, and has accumulated stats worth one full season (.238, 16 homers, 97 RBI in 299 games); pitcher James Bodnar (15-16 in the minors, 5-4 in the majors with a 5.70 ERA with Florida).

01-05-2004, 02:55 AM	#22
bcimmet Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 65	The Journal of Christopher Quinn (2b, Pittsburgh Pirates) MARCH 1, 2005 Spring Training! I’m actually at the facility in Augusta, GA, working out with the major league team. There’s sixty-three of us here, all vying for spots on the ILB roster. Some of these guys are guaranteed spots – the guys were the regular starters, the big names, the veterans from last year. Others are a combination of AAA players, free agents, non-roster invitees, and so on. I’m on a minor-league contract, but if I make the opening day squad, I’ll be signed to a major league minimum deal ($300k for the year). It’s the same competition as last year; we didn’t pick up any free agent second basemen. I’m anticipating Porras getting the starting nod with Joe Bowden as his backup. I’ll probably share time with Bauza in AAA. I’m torn whether I’d like AAA better than the bigs. Less pressure, but lamer attitude. In AAA, they care more about personal growth than about winning. In the bigs, it’s all about winning. I’m torn. I’ve gotten to know one of the other young-ish players. Fonzi Sato is several years older than I am, but he was last year’s NL Rookie of the Year, hitting 35 homers with 124 RBI in his first full season. We’ve been throwing and taking batting practice together, which is fun. It’s making the time here more festive. I’ve also been talking a lot with Bob Temples, our closer. It’s sort of like an uncle, more or less. He’s got two nephews who are about my age, and he doesn’t get to see them too often. I think that’s what drew him to talking to me in the first place. It’s nice to be bonding with some of the major players. You know that Sato and Temples are going to be on the roster next year. I wonder if there’s anything with them putting a good word in for me... We did sign four free agents: Joe Perreault, a 37-year old starter with 180 career wins for Kansas City, Oakland, the Mets and Anaheim, but last year had his worst pro season, going 7-15 with a 5.93. He’s in town, and should be a good shot at a #4 or #5 starter in our rotation; Kyle Heckard, a utility player who has been with Montreal, Houston and the Yankees over the last six years (career average .269, 40 HR, 189 RBI in 574 games). Heckard is primarily a third baseman, but saw action at six positions last year; Francisco Gonzalez, a first baseman journeyman who has played for Kansas City, St. Louis, Oakland and Boston, and has accumulated stats worth one full season (.238, 16 homers, 97 RBI in 299 games); pitcher James Bodnar (15-16 in the minors, 5-4 in the majors with a 5.70 ERA with Florida).