Spring Training Diary #3: The Utility Guy

Let's start with that fact I can fix stuff. Got a toilet problem? I got a wrench and I know my way around pipes. Got a fence problem? I got a shovel and a good circular saw. You provide the lumber and cement mixer for the posts. Got a heating issue? Well, good luck, I'm no HVAC expert.

I'm an infielder. On my left arm, I’ve got some ink: “Have glove will travel.” Tattoos usually happen on wild nights. I was in Double A. Made a couple of diving stops at second to save the game. Once in the eighth and once in the ninth. Got some beers and then hit the tattoo parlor. Somewhere in Oregon. They used to call me "The Vacuum" in Little League because I got all the ground balls. Our high school coach started a new award for our team after I graduated. It was a bronze glove. Awarded for defensive excellence. I got a D-1 scholarship. Left Florida and went up to Tennessee, all because of my glove. Not many guys can say that. Being 5’8” wasn’t a huge problem in college. Smaller strike zone means lots of walks.

It’s a problem now. Everyone loves hitting. That's what pays. Finally, we're getting some metrics that show the value of range, of timing on the double-play transfer, and arm speed. All of that stuff that scouts love and fans don’t notice. They call it "Runs Saved." Like being a fielder is about what we take away from the other team. I look at it differently. I'm providing outs where other guys don't. I'm getting us back to the dugout faster. I'm adding value, not just taking hits away from the hitter. Who do the fans see standing out there on the diamond? Us. The fielders. If they ever take their eyes off the pitcher or the batter’s box.

The life of a gloveman stays in the shadows, especially in the late innings of afternoon games. Other than some occasional web gems, we don't see the light from the average fan, just waiting to see the next homer. I must accept my fate. Trouble is, I've got to hit to keep this job. I’m the backup infielder. Ready when needed.

This year, the club signed two more of my kind, which is one too many. Three utility guys on one roster? How's this going to work? One of us is most definitely getting booted down to AAA, that's how. I've been there before. Up and down, just trying to stay up long enough to qualify for the minimum contract. Anyway, with three of us fighting for two jobs, this month is bound to be ruthless.

When I got here to Arizona, GM sat me down and apologized. First time in my nine years in MLB that's ever happened. GM tells me the President made him sign the second extra utility guy because he’s the son of a family friend. GM said he trusts me, but he had to do it, and the President is going to make him keep the new guy. So it’s between me and this rookie.

I know there’s about to be pressure on every at-bat. I'm too old to get sent back down and expect to come back up. This glove has carried me this far. I started using protein powders and working out more to gain shoulder and forearm strength. The whole launch angle thing bugs me. I’m not trying to pop everything up. Need to focus on liners to the opposite field and pulling the inside pitch down the line. For a guy like me that’s never hit 10 in a season, they call those “running into one.”

I’ve saved most of my money, but lost a bunch to a buddy of mine that was all into crypto. Seemed too good to be true. Turned out it was. Still have a couple of investments I can rely on, but this is the game I still love. Didn’t think it would end so soon. I guess no ballplayer ever does. The last thing I need is have to start coaching teenagers when I’m only 32.