With minor leaguers set to report to Spring Training at the end of the week, and the minor league staff to begin meetings on Wednesday in Clearwater, we though it would be a good time to catch up with 2009 BlueClaws manager Dusty Wathan before he heads down to Clearwater Tuesday to start the 2010 season. Wathan will manage many of the same players he had in Lakewood in 2009 as we kick off 2010.
Q: How long does it take you to wind down from the season?
A: Usually your life changes quickly. From the baseball season to being a normal dad, driving kids to soccer and baseball and things around town, and getting into family life, going to bed at a decent hour, getting up early in the morning. You immerse yourself in that and try to spend as much time as you can with the family. (note: the Wathans welcomed a new child, Gus, into the world back in October, their fourth).
Q: At what point do you get ready to go for the next season?
A: I think it’s always in the back of your mind, but probably not until you hear about pitchers and catchers do you really start looking forward to the season. We go to minor league camp in March rather than February at big league camp, but you soon start to get the bug back when you here about pitchers pitchers and catchers.
Q: How has spring training changed over the years?
A: It think really not a whole lot has changed other than all the players are taken care of better than they were when my dad was playing and the minor leaguers are taken care of better too. When I first started, PB&J was lunch. I went to the Marlins one year and we were pumped up to get a 6″ sub from Subway. Now, the players get plenty to eat and drink. You laugh now but it used to be a water cooler in the corner. Guys that played 20 years ago say they’re really spoiled now. We’re smarter with our money, put it into the players, realize that nutrition is such a big thing, take care of the guys, make them happy.
On the field, you can go back to the 1920s or earlier, and pitchers were covering first base, then in June, someone forgot to cover first base and you went back and did it again. Every other sport the games have change. Basketball added dunks and 3 pointers, football added the 2pt conversions, the forward pass. But you’ve always been able to hit a home run, steal a base and strike out.
Q: Favorite part of spring training?
A: Just getting around the guys again. The first week is the honeymoon. Then the middle section of the spring gets monotonous. Everyone says you’re there that long because of the pitchers, so everyone blames the pitchers. Then you’re ready to go. The end is the most exciting. As a manger you’re deciding who your players are and start playing games that count.
Q: Is it an advantage, like going into the 2009 season, that you’ve had a lot of these same players before, now three years with a few of them?
A: I always look at it as an advantage for myself. I had a great group of guys last year and the year before. To move up with a group, it’s a special thing. On the other hand, having myself as a manger for them, but if you don’t like your teacher you want a new teacher. But we got along with basically everyone and we had success, personal, as a team, so I’m looking forward to working with the same guys.
Q: Looking forward to getting that championship ring (on March 19th)?
A: It’s an exciting time. It will be my first ring on the coaching side. I got a World Series ring from 2008, but someone like Legger felt more passionate about that. Being my first year in the org as a manager, you don’t feel you put your stamp. Legger got to work with a lot of those guys. But on the other hand, I did play with a lot of those guys whether it be spring training or AAA. But to get one as a manager, it’s a different feeling, really proud of the players. You feel even more proud as a mgr or coach because you see all the hard work the players put in. It’s something they’ll never forget.
Thanks to Dusty for his time and we wish him the best of luck in Clearwater this year.
Big day. It might be snowing outside but we’ve announced the bobblehead dolls to be given away in 2010! As follows:
Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft from Bellflower, California, Anthony Gose burst onto the scene in 2009, stealing 76 bases and playing exceptional defense in centerfield, helping to lead the BlueClaws to the 2009 South Atlantic League championship.
The Phillies announced today that Mark Parent, former big league catcher, will manage the BlueClaws in 2010, replacing Dusty Wathan, who heads to Hi-A Clearwater. Some notes:
We spoke with BlueClaws manager Dusty Wathan last week for a multi-part end-of-year wrap up piece which will debut soon. Here are some highlights: