Q&A with Mike Zagurski
Mike Zagurski was part of the 2006 South Atlantic League Champion BlueClaws in his second season in the Phillies system. He began 2007 in Clearwater, before a quick promotion to Reading, and another quick promotion to Ottawa (then the Phillies Triple-A affiliate). By the end of May, he was on the Phillies roster, completing the quickest move from Lakewood to the Phillies in BlueClaws history. He missed the end of 2007 with a hamstring injury and all of 2008 after having Tommy John surgery. Greg Giombarrese had a chance to catch up with the left-hander, who is rehabbing in Clearwater.
Question: What was it like for you watching the Phillies win the World Series?
Mike Zagurski: It was great. I was fortunate the Phillies brought me to the games in Tampa and few me to Philly as well. I couldn’t be happier. I know what it takes, and the amount of work everyone puts in, and hopefully I can be a part of something great next year.
Q: Was it disappointing for you knowing that with your injury you couldn’t be a part of it on the field?
MZ: It was a little bittersweet. I’m not a real angry person. I certainly think I would have been able to help, and hopefully the opporunity arises for me this year.
Q: You missed the end of the 2007 season with a hamstring problem. How severe was the injury?
MZ: I went to see several different doctors, and I ended up at a specialist in Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Steelers doctor, and it was torn a bit more than we previously thought. If I just rehabbed I was going to miss September anyway [he got hurt in August], so we just had the surgery, with a six month rehab, but they made sure to fix the problem completely. It was the first time I’ve been seriously injured and was concerned with how I would come back. Being a pitcher you use your legs quite a bit, so it was imperative to get healthy. It was my landing leg so all your weight ends up on that leg after you release the pitch.
Q: Then this past year you have to have Tommy John surgery in the spring. While it’s obviously a serious procedure, does it give you confidence that so many pitchers have come back from that surgery to reach 100% and in some cases even return at a higher level than before?
MZ: It definately gives me a lot of confidence. If it had to happen, I was fortunate that it was in spring training, because we had Adam Eaton, Chad Durbin, and Tom Gordon all in camp. All of those guys had the same surgery and could tell me what I was going to feel, and what to expect during the rehab process. Those are some good big leaguers there. Just to be around those guys who had the surgery gave me confidence and comfort.
Q: Where are you now in your rehab?
MZ: I started throwing about three months ago. I can throw at 120 feet and then I’ll move back to 150 feet. I should get on the mound after the new year.
Q: (From Dave of Manasquan) Everyone in Lakewood certainly enjoyed watching you play, but what did you enjoy best about your time here?
MZ: Certainly, anyone that’s ever played in Lakewood will tell you how great of a ballpark it is, and how good the fans are. The fans respect and enjoy good baseball. For me, since I just came from Batavia, NY, in front of 300 people per game, it was hard to get excited when you were playing in front of twice as many people in college. When you get 5,000 fans in freezing cold weather, it’s pretty nice.
Q: (From Anthony of Brick) How did it feel to have your own bobble-head doll?
MZ: It was a great, honor, I guess. It actually turned out pretty darn good I thought. It was a pleasure being back here that night. I signed a few autographs and it was good to see see everyone who’s still with the BlueClaws. It was very nice of them to invite me back.
Q: Did you ever imagine, after the 2006 season, that you could be in the Major Leagues by May of 2007?
MZ: After the ‘06 season in Lakewood, the Philies brought me down for the instructional league, which is normally for younger kids, and I was already 23 at the time. It was one of those things where I was wondering why I had to play with all the 18 year olds. They thought I might be able to skip Hi-A, so I went down there. And it was really a great experience for me. I was working on all my pitches, polishing them for the spring. I wasn’t terrible and wasn’t great in spring training. I ended up on the Hi-A team and my goal for the year was to get to Double-A by the end of the year.
MZ (continued): At the time, the LHPs on the big league team were injured or struggling so even when I went to Double-A I wasn’t thinking about the Phillies, but I guess I was the best option at that point and they gave me a shot.
Q: Ever think back as to how quick the move was?
MZ: It was pretty quick. At the time I couldn’t have even fathomed it. You go out there and play, and see what happens, and I’m glad it worked out. It was more of a need at the big league level. Looking back at where I went it was definately a pretty wild ride.
Q: What are your goals for 2009?
MZ: I’m hoping to be ready to appear in games by March 3rd, 11 months after the surgery. Hopefully then I’ll be good enough to pitch, and in the next month or two get up to 100%.
Q: You think you have a chance to make the team?
MZ: First I need to get healthy, can’t make team if I’m still injured. I just want to pitch the season healthy, what level it is, that will take care of itself. I need to get back to the everyday grind. It’s been a year and a half since I was able to get to the ballpark and be part of a daily routine.
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Thanks to Anthony of Brick and Dave of Manasquan for submitting questions for Mike. Stay tuned for our next Q&A where you can submit a question for a former player.
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March 1st, 2010 at 12:30 pm
[...] his bobblehead doll with the BlueClaws, he told us last year: It was a great, honor, I guess. It actually turned out pretty darn good I thought. It was a [...]