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Diamond Diary by Kevin Cooney
9/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
AUGUST 31, 2007
SHOWS YOU WHAT I KNOW...
Monday was the start of another new school year at Florida Atlantic, and all the signs were there to see, as lost freshmen worked up a sweat trying to find their way to class, and savvy veterans staked out the best locations for checking out the new talent on campus. Maybe it's my advanced age, but it seems the young females outnumber the guys by at least 4-1.
You've got to like those odds.
The return of our players always leads to swapping stories about the summer just past. Whether it was a pennant race on Cape Cod, or a playoff in Glens Falls, or worse yet...a summer spent in school, everyone has a story to tell. Some of the recent pro signees are also back with tales of their first taste of life in the minor leagues.
But the story I'll share is Anthony Bradley's.
If you look up our stats, you will see that Anthony had 30 appearances in his two years at FAU. He had pitched at Palm Beach CC and we hoped he would be our lefty specialist when he arrived on our campus. But relief pitchers have to be consistent, and at times Anthony struggled with his control and I didn't use him as much as I had planned, nor as often as he'd have liked.
I remember stepping out or dugout after a game at Western Kentucky. Anthony had a less than spectacular outing in a game where the same could be said of many of our guys. Three fans were waiting outside the door of our dugout, bundled against the cold in heavy jackets and hats.
The Bradley family went unrecognized by me in their parkas, but when Mr. Bradley apologized and Mrs. Bradley looked so sad, I realized who they were. Caught by surprise, and not in the best frame of mind, I managed to try and assure them that Anthony was better than he looked that night. He had been working on some things with his mechanics and hadn't yet mastered the changes. I told them we wouldn't give up on him, and hoped it sounded sincere.
Late in the year, Anthony strung together some real consistent and positive outings. By the end, he was one of our better guys. But, truth be told, my confidence in Anthony was often a fleeting thing.
The draft came and went, and as sometimes happens, Coach McCormack got a call from a scout needing another pitcher. They wanted a lefty, and inquired about Joel Schmal. But Joel had already signed with an independent team, so Mac mentioned Bradley.
The scout called back and said his boss was leery after seeing Anthony's walks on our stat sheet. Mac assured him that most of those free passes were issued in the first half of the season. He said Bradley would be worth a shot.
Anthony was signed and sent to Burlington, NC. He was in the Appalachian League, one of the lowest rungs on the minor league ladder, but he was getting his chance. That's all kids say to coaches- "Just give me a chance."
Some kids get more chances than others. There are always guys on your staff who fail, but still get trotted out there, while others have much less margin for error. I plead guilty as charged to doing just that at times, and probably did it throughout Anthony's career.
To his credit, and that of his family, Anthony always responded by working harder and pulling for his teammates. I'm not sure I've ever coached a young man as polite and respectful despite me not using him the way I know he'd have liked.
Making the most of his chance, Anthony carved up the Appalachian League. He was used initially in relief and was nearly unhittable. He had Nintendo numbers. After being made a starter, the big lefty gave up a few more hits. I think by season's end the opponents hitters had finally gotten over .200 against him.
He was voted Pitcher of the Month for the league in August, and the Royals will honor him in Kansas City next month as Pitcher of the Year for his team. But the good story doesn't end there.
Last Sunday, Anthony was called up to Triple - A, and threw three innings Monday against the league leading Nashville Sounds. From the Appy League to AAA...not many have made that jump.
I don't know how this story will end, but I know how Anthony Bradley will act when it does. And I know that his Mom and dad will be proud.
KC
Players Mentioned
LHP
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